Thursday 31st 2012 was another day that saw students the university receive some goodies from the US embassy. The American Reference Center under the US Embassy, led by Mr. Henry Mendelssohn ,Mr. Cliff and Mr. George Kamau paid the School of Information Science a visit with the aim of making the services they offer known to the students. When speaking to the lecturers, library staff and students in LT 1 at the school of information sciences, M r. Mendelssohn said that eLibray USA is meant to provide access to various documents and academic materials to the interested parties.
Mr. Mendelssohn said eLibrary USA is a virtual online library with free access 20 authoritative and up- to- date databases. He added that for one to access these resources , one must became a member of the American Reference Centre. There is no fee to became a member. Once one becomes a member he/she receives through e-mail a login password that will be needed to access the eLIbrary online meaning there is no need to go to the American Reference Centre in Nairobi so as to use the facility.
Mr. Mendelssohn said eLibraryUSA has a lot of very useful literature for business people, university faculties and students, lectures and the youth among other people. One can register by either filling in a form or registering online on their website http://Nairobi.usembassy.gov/irc.html He also said that the eLibraryUSA is also available at the American corners in Kisumu, Lamu and Mombasa. For those who wish to go to The American Reference Center library must attach two passport size photos to their application form to be used to process IDs for them.
Mr. Cliff, a lecturer at the University of Iowa in the USA ,on the other hand spoke about widernet.com project which aims at ensuring that the internet is availed to as many people as possible. He spoke of the concept of putting the Internet in a ‘box’ so as to cut the cost of using the Internet. Mr. Cliff also spoke about e-granary Digital Libray, which he said carries over 50000 books, hundreds of journals and websites. Mr. George Kamau an alumni of school of information sciences encouraged the student to be intellectually curious and ensure that they work towards achieving their goals in their specific areas of interest.
Speaking during the accession the Dean of School of Information sciences, Professor Otike encouraged the students to use these facilities in their research and academics citing the benefits that students stand to enjoy from the facilities.
This becomes another boost on the students’ academics since it adds to the electronic resources already being availed by the Margaret Thatcher Library.
