MARGARET THATCHER LIBRARY
Name
CMIS 1001 - Introduction to Information Systems
Walden University
2022
1.0 Introduction
The section mainly touches on issues such as organization attached, a brief historical background
of the organization under which the attaché served; it also involves the current organization set
up, including arrangement for information transfer within the organization, aims and objectives,
staffing: including organizational chart (structure), financial arrangements, work activities as
well as success and challenges in fulfilling the aims and objectives of the organization.
1.1 Historical background of Thatcher Library
The Margaret Thatcher library was established in 1984 along with the University. It started its
services in a small wooden building at a country hotel where students and lecturers were
temporarily accommodated. In January 1985, the library was moved to the then new campus at
Kesses and located in a three-bed roomed residential house. The library as it continued to grow
and expand moved three more times within main campus before its final destination at the
Margaret Thatcher Library (MTL) building. The University Library was established according to
the then existing policy, to have one main library building to serve the needs of all university
members. After 1990, the period of exponential expansion of academic programmes, branch
libraries were soon established to cater for the needs of users geographically located away from
the main campus.
At the inception of the university in 1985, the idea to construct a modern library building (now
the Margaret Thatcher Library) was mooted, and the search for a donor begun. Eventually, the
British Government agreed to fund the project at the cost of sterling pounds 7m. Lady Margaret
Thatcher, the then British Prime Minister, made a historic visit to Moi University in 1987. The
construction of the MTL begun in November 1990 and was completed and occupied in 1994. It
is currently among the largest, fully equipped and well furnished university libraries in East,
Central and Southern Africa region.
The University Library services comprises of seven libraries. The main library being: The
Margaret Thatcher Library, which is located at the main campus. The branch libraries have been
established to serve clientele either with special information needs or who are geographically
located away from the main campus. The privately sponsored students have three libraries, the
main currently located at Eldoret West Campus while the others are at Anex and Eldoret
Hospice. (By administrator, Feb: 2010)
1.1.1 Vision
To be a user centered, focused and competitive University Library Service.
1.1.2 Mission
To satisfy all the time, the Information needs and expectations of each individual user through
the provision and exploitation of information resources and services.
1.1.3 Aims and Objectives
To continuously expand capacity to facilitate the university's core business of teaching,
learning, research and extension.
To acquire and manage relevant information materials and provide information services
to the university community.
Facilitate communication and dissemination and presentation of knowledge.
Train users on information literacy skills in order to facilitate full exploitation of
information resources and services; and
Provide adequate and conducive environment for users.
CHAPTER TWO
ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
The structure of Margaret Thatcher library is related to their sizes and the categories. It is
important for the citizens to know that Margaret Thatcher library are run on a committee based
systems in relation to provision to needed resources academic purposes.
2.1 Current organization set up
This is the main library and is located at the main campus of Moi University which is 35km from
Eldoret town, off the Nakuru-Nairobi highway. The library overall administration operates from
the Margaret Thatcher Library (MTL) building which accommodates both the library and the
School of Information Sciences. It has 74 members of staff, a user population of 6000, 500000
volumes and seating capacity of 2500 readers. It has the following departments: Technical
Services, Customer Services, Systems and Special Collection. The Library is automated and is
also connected to the Internet. Unique features to this library include the Children's Section,
Digital Library, United Nations, Centre for Refugee Studies, World Bank Collections and the
Cultural Artifacts Section. The MTL serves the Schools of Information Sciences, Engineering,
Arts and Social Studies, Education, Environmental Studies, Law, Business and Economics and
Human Resource Development. It is a depository for all the theses produced in the University
and other research findings. It is also a centre for research both for the University and the public.
2.2 CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT
2.2.1 Reference & Information Services
Staff at the Information desks handles a variety of enquiries, ranging from general information
and/or quick reference enquiries to advising and assisting users on literature searches for project
work, term paper, and essay and research topics. Assistance is also provided on the use of CD-
ROM databases, OPAC and other electronic information sources. An index of newspapers and
journals available in MTL is maintained in an electronic database to aid information searches.
2.2.2 Current Awareness
Users are daily informed of current events through provision of this service. This involves
photocopying of newspapers citing important information items and placing them on strategic
areas where users can access. New books and other items available for lending are displayed near
the staircase on the First Floor. New arrivals for Special Collection Department are displayed on
a table as you enter the section.
2.2.3 Selective Dissemination of Information
Selective dissemination of Information is provided to all users of the library. This is an
individualized service that gathers for the individual interests of individual user.
Inter-library Loan
Since the library cannot meet all the demands of its users, the library offers the service where
books are borrowed from other libraries to be used by our users. Requests should be put in
writing and handed over to the Reference Librarian on the first floor.
Catalogues
Computer terminals are available on first and second floors for accessing the Online Public
Access Catalogues (OPAC). Reference librarians on each floor are available to assist those who
are familiar on the use of facilities.
Reservation
Users are allowed to reserve books that are sent of binding e.t.c. To facilitate this provision, users
are required to give the bibliographic details of the materials he is reserving.
CDS
The library has a number of useful CD-Rom databases. These discs are read on the computers at
the Reference Desk on the first floor.
Indexes / Abstracts
A number of databases running on practice bibliographic package have been created as indexes
to various information found in newspapers, journals, magazines etc.
2.2.4 Circulation Services
2.2.4.1 Borrowing
Borrowing from the library is subject to Library Rules and Regulations. All informational
materials except those designated as Reference, National, Special, Periodicals and Audio-Visual
Collection may be borrowed for use outside the library. Items for loan are borrowed at the Issue
Desk on the Ground Floor. The University Librarian is empowered to levy fines on readers who
fail to return materials within the stipulated loan period.
2.2.4.2 Long and Short Loan
At the Issue Desk users can borrow books on either long or short loans. Books on long loan are
those materials which are lend for 14 days for undergraduates, 1 month for lectures and
postgraduate students.
Books on short loan are those materials which are lent for overnight use. Law books for 3 days.
Short loan period is determined by demand. Some can be lend for 2 hours overnight, or 2 to 3
days.
2.2.5 Audio-Visual Section
Video and audiocassettes, slides, microforms and other A-V materials are housed on the Ground
Floor near the issue desk for use only within the library. Users are required to make prior
arrangements with the A-V staff so that the use of the available equipment such as projectors,
video and audio players is properly arranged. Photographic services are also available at a fee.
2.2.6 Children's' Library
The Margaret Thatcher Library has a small children's library situated at the ground floor, next to
the issue desk. The collection in this area is for children age 3 to 16 years. Most of the users of
this tiny (but wonderful) library are children belonging to university staff and some from the
surrounding community. Services provided include: borrowing, reading areas, computer games,
story telling, videos etc. The university library charges a minimal fee per year for membership to
enable it maintain the library since the university does not cover it.
2.3 TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
2.3.1 Library Services on offer:
Acquisitions - Liaising with Head of Technical Department in the selection and
ordering of Library Information Materials. Physical processing of information materials
(stamping and assigning electronic bar-codes)
Bibliographic - Online cataloguing and classification Preparation of accession lists. Develops
and maintain the library database
2.3.2 Other administrative services on offers
Coordinating practical attachments offered by the library to students from various institutions.
Searching book prices on the internet
Statistics
100 Journal titles (mostly donated)
2,400 books processed during 2004/2005 year (both donations and purchases)
900 books restored by the bindery processed and released back into circulation during
2004/2005 financial year.
Information Literacy
Library orientation for new users
Bibliographic Section staff give instructions on how to use the Online Public access
Catalogue (OPAC)
Electronic Services
CD-ROM database acquired, processed and send to the reference section where they are
accessed by users.
2.4 SPECIAL COLLECTION DEPARTMENT
2.4Cultural and Heritage Centre
2.4.1 Introduction
This is a closed access research area located on the Second Floor of the MTL building. Materials
are categorized under the following sections:
National Collection
United Nations Collection
World Bank Collection
Centre for Refugee Studies
Rare Books Collection
Cultural and Heritage Centre
Margaret Thatcher Library Information Bureau
Information Resource Management (IRM)
Information Resources in French language
2.4.1.1 National Collection
This section has information materials on Kenya, by Kenyans and/or any other author, about
Kenya. Examples of the information materials include: government publications, theses and
dissertations, novels, bound newspapers and any other information materials on the people, land,
climate etc., of Kenya. It is open to academic staff, post-graduate students and any other
researchers who may wish to get or know more information about Kenya. Undergraduates are
not allowed inside this section but can be served at the counter.
2.4.1.2 United Nations Collection
This section contains information materials published by the United Nations and other related
organizations. Margaret Thatcher Library is lucky to be a depository of the UN Publications.
Apart from the print-based information materials such as yearbooks users can search for
electronic versions. Website details can be obtained from staff providing services in the
department. This is a closed access section where readers are served at the counter after
presenting their requests and university identity cards. It is a reference section and materials are
used within the department. World Bank Collection Margaret Thatcher Library is also a
depository library for the World Bank. This section contains information materials published by
the World Bank. This is a closed access section where readers are served by staff at the counter
after presenting their requests and university identity cards. It is a reference section and therefore
materials are used within the department.
2.4.1.3 Centre for Refugee Studies Collection
This section contains information materials relating to refugees. This collection was originally
acquired through donation to Centre for Refugee Studies at Moi University. It is being built
through donations and purchases. This is a closed access section where readers are served at the
counter after presenting their requests and university identity cards. It is a reference section and
therefore materials are used within the department.
2.4.1.4 Rare Books Collection
This section consists of oversize books, rare pictorial books and any other books that can easily
attract mutilation if left on open shelves. This is a closed access section where readers are served
at the counter after presenting their requests and university identity cards. It is a reference section
and therefore materials are used within the department.
2.4.1.5 Cultural and Heritage Centre
This section forms a unique information materials collection with the aim of sensitizing users to
our culture It demonstrates our attempt to preserve our heritage and above all provides a point of
reference for anthropologists and other researchers on cultural, historical and communication
dimensions. Here, we do not have documents but items (artifacts) with captions indicating the
name, use and origin of the item. The artifacts are only on display and any information inquiry
required of them should be resolved within the section.
2.4.1.6 Margaret Thatcher Library Information Bureau Collection
This section has information on Margaret Thatcher Library from its inception to date. Here you
find documents including: Margaret Thatcher Library briefs, calendars, strategic plans,
graduation bulletins and newsletters. Information in this section can only be referred to within
the department.
2.4.1.7 Information Resource Management Collection
The ICT Centre (formerly IRM), which is partly housed in the MTL building, donated materials
on Information Technology to the library. The information materials are placed in the special
collection department can only be referred to within the department.
2.4.1.8 Information Resources in French language
French language is one of the subjects taught at Moi University. There are few information
materials for French readers available within the library. These resources have been collected
and placed within the special collection Department for ease of reference by those in need of the
information materials. Like other information materials within the department, they are classified
as reference and can only be used within the department.
Figure 2.1: Organizational Structure
Head of
departments-
Librarian
Head of
departments-
Assistant
Librarian
Customer
service
Department
Special
Collection
Department
Technical
services
department
