Assessing digital preservation strategies implemented for the institutional repository in Kaimosi Friends University Library

Abstract

Rationale of Study – The purpose of the study was to determine the digital preservation strategies implemented for the institutional repository at Kaimosi Friends University College. The academic orientation of this study was anchored on the chain of preservation model.

Methodology – A descriptive research design was deployed. A census approach was used to enumerate the 46 respondents as the population of the study was small. An interview schedule and questionnaire were used as data collection instruments. A pilot study was conducted at Kibabii University library in order to bring to light any weaknesses in the questionnaire as well as in the survey techniques. The instrument was validated through examination by experts in the field of information science. The test-retest technique was utilised to assess the reliability of the instrument. The data collected in this study were both quantitative and qualitative, and they were analysed with the aid of SPSS and presented using tables and figures.

Findings – The prominent digital preservation strategies deployed in the institutional repository were backup (60.5%), technology preservation (60.5%) and information migration (51.2%).

Implications – The study recommends that Kaimosi Friends University College maintains the most commonly deployed strategies of digital preservation, namely information migration, backup and technology preservation.

Originality – This is an original study conducted in a public university in Kenya.