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Item Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking(2023-04) wamahiga, George M.Libraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a significant influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries affect Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and other scholarly resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by academic libraries in Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to which Webometrics ranking mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been successful. This study adopted a mixed research design. The target population included staff members of the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total of 73 staff members from the library, ICT, and research departments involved in Webometrics ranking were selected purposively. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries in Kenya in the Webometrics ranking include improved us and submission of e-resources as well as promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful. The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally.Item Challenges facing Academic Libraries in Supporting Webometrics Ranking of Universities in Kenya(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, 2019) Wamahiga, M. George; Kwanya, Tom; Ndegwa, LucyWebometrics refers to the study of the quantitative aspects of the creation and usage of information resources, structures and technologies on the web drawing on bibliometric and infometric approaches. Across the world, libraries are committed to providing equal and rightful access to information. Therefore, libraries play a major role in influencing Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries influence Webometrics ranking through generation of scientific publications and other scholarly resources. Despite the remarkable success in Academic libraries’ influence on Webometrics ranking, there are a number of setbacks facing these libraries in the effective facilitation of Webometrics ranking. This study examined the challenges facing academic libraries in supporting Webometrics ranking of universities in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed research design. The researcher collected data from a representative sample of 30 % of the entire target population in University of Nairobi, Chuka University and Kirinyaga University. The selection of the three universities was based on the most recent Webometrics rankings. The respondents were drawn from library, ICT and research Departments. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics that is frequency distribution tables to compute mean. The study established that Bureaucratic and connectivity barriers as well as substandard research and inadequate knowledge on Webometrics are the key challenges facing Kenyan academic libraries in supporting improved webometrics ranking. The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally. The findings may also help policy makers and policy implementers to effectively understand the challenges facing academic libraries in supporting Webometrics ranking of universities in Kenya and hence improve opportunities for upscaling Webometrics in academic institutions.