University Librarian Urges New Students to Maximise Library Resources for Academic Excellence

New Students Introduced to Key Library Operations and Resources

BY ERIC SINDABI

Egerton University Librarian Mrs.Janegrace Kinyanjui has called on first year students to fully utilise the library’s vast academic information materials available in the University Library to ensure a successful academic journey. She said this in her speech during the 2025/26 First Years library orientation held at Kilimo Hall on Friday 22nd August, 2025.The University Librarian stressed that the University Library system is well- stocked with physical and electronic resources covering all courses offered at the university, as well as materials for general knowledge and recreational reading. She emphasised that students pay substantial library fees and should therefore make optimal use of the facilities and services offered by the library department.

“No university student can have a successful academic journey without being a frequent visitor to the Library”, she noted adding that the Library, apart from being well stocked with reading materials, offers a conducive environment for studying. The Librarian took the new students through the library’s basic operations by first highlighting the important role played by the library as a central hub for learning, research and personal development.

The Librarian further advised the new students on responsible use of library resources and facilities, and maintaining of academic integrity while utilising reading and reference materials for academic assignments. The University Librarian was accompanied by Section Heads from the Readers Services, Digital Library Services and Technical Services divisions of the library, as well as Branch and Faculty Librarians.

The students were later taken on a tour of the Library in faculty clusters and physically introduced to different sections and services of the Library. These included the Security and Luggage section where library visitors and clients introduce themselves and leave luggage, Reference and Information Services section where visitors and clients receive necessary information and guidance about library services and sections, Circulation section for charging and discharging of reading materials, Africana/Periodicals and Special Collections section for current news and recreational reading plus Africana collections and, special publications, Reprographic section for photocopying and computer services, Library Archives section for retrospective materials like past examination papers and old newspapers, and Electronic Resources section for ebooks and ejournals.The final exercise included a tour of the library’s expansive reading and shelving area.