The Catholic University of Eastern Africa Library

BRIEF HISTORY OF BISHOP McCAULEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Early BeginningsThe Bishop McCauley Memorial Library traces its humble beginnings to the early planning stages of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Sometime back in 1961, the Catholic Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conference of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) discussed the possibility of establishing a Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) which could articulate the needs of the nations within the region. In 1973, AMECEA accepted in principle Rome’s recommendations to set up a college to address the needs of African students in the AMECEA region. At this point, the idea of establishing a Catholic University in the region was suspended.
As the discussions were in progress, his Eminence Angelo Cardinal Rossi sent an official letter to the planners in 1980, confirming the approval for the establishment of two Institutes namely one in West Africa and the other one in East Africa. It was at this point that the AMECEA Bishops created structures and mandated them to begin planning for the Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa (CHIEA). Rev. Dr. Paul Kalanda was appointed as the first Acting Rector.
As the planning structures continued with their work, it was realized that a library would be required to support the institute in its mission of addressing the needs of the region. A library fund was, therefore, created in 1980 with Fr. Victor Coulombe (S. J.) appointed as the first librarian. It is worth noting that the library had been conceived to be a joint library serving CHIEA and St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Nairobi. As a joint library, was officially opened on 23rd August 1983. Due to some administrative technicalities the concept of a joint library was dropped.
Relocation of the Library to the Ultra-modern Pope VI Learning Resource Centre (LRC)The initial library was refurbished several times to accommodate the growing university community and collection of information resources. In its strategic development plan 2002-2011, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa University resolved to establish new physical facilities that will meet the needs of the university. In May 2008 the university started constructing an Ultra-Modern Learning Resource Centre. When completed, the LRC will consist of eight (8) components whose expected functions are as follows: University library, Information and Communications Technology offices (ICT), Language Laboratory/ Multimedia and Curriculum Centre, E-Publishing Centre, Cafeteria, University Bookshop, Archives, Electronic and virtual Museum, and an ultra-modern Conference Facility.
The broad aim of the CUEA Learning Resource Centre is to ...to deliver high quality learning resources to support the achievement of excellence in research, learning and teaching across the university as well as support the university in its community service within the East African region and beyond (The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, 2011).
From the ground-breaking ceremony on 27th February 2008 to its commissioning on 28th June 2011, this great idea transformed into an architectural marvel that is gradually changed the
skyline of the university in a unique way. By September, 2012, the project had been completed. The Bishop McCauley Memorial Library was relocated to Pope Paul Learning Resource Centre in October 2012.
LIBRARY VISION, MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The establishment of the new library is part of a strategic plan to achieve the vision of the university to be “To be a world class University producing transformative leaders for Church and Society”. It will contribute in achieving the mission of the university which is:“To promote excellence in research, teaching and community service by preparing morally upright leaders based on the intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church”
Our VisionTo be a world class resource centre in the acquisition, organization, preservation, dissemination and application of knowledge.
Our Motto: Putting Research Information at the Heart of scholarship
Our MissionTo facilitate, maintain and enhance quality research, teaching and community service by developing knowledge collections that reflect the mission of the university, providing expertise, appropriate ICTs, outstanding services and by collaborating with institutions within and outside East African to facilitate knowledge resource sharing.
Our GoalTo support university in achieving its research, teaching, and community service objectives.
The key goals of the new library are to:
Develop in students, staff and other stakeholders skills and attitudes in line with the needs of in the 21st knowledge economy e.g. information literacy skills, and an attitude of lifelong learning. 2. Provide current information resources to facilitate quality research, teaching and learning in all departments facilitate access to academic information materials both in print and e-formats e.g. e- books, e-journals and e-databases3. Provide access to ICT-based learning and research platforms and statistical analysis tools Carry out income generation activities to support the operational costs of managing the library To provide modern, efficient and effective library and information services that meet the information needs of the university stakeholders. To develop and implement innovative information systems that will enhance the provision of academic information services. To promote the welfare of the Kenyan people and beyond community by engaging in community service activities To provide appropriate library physical facilities for efficient research, learning and studying. To recruit, develop and grow a highly motivated staff in provision of library and information services.
Philosophy/core valuesThe library endeavors to put in place library information services that can help the university in such of the whole truth about humanity and God
In this endeavors the library is guided by the following core values: Witness of Life Prayer Truthfulness Honesty Excellence Commitment Competence
APPLICATION OF MODERN ICTS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
The new library is ICT driven. The technologies to be installed in the New Library include:
High speed internet connectivity (optic fibre and wireless technologies). This facilitates setting up of 2500 Internet-ready table places, for use with Personal Laptops, 120 Private Reading Carrels with plug and play internet capability, and 500 PCs with internet connection for library customer use. Therefore the total sitting capacity will be 3000 work places
Library web portal to facilitate access to e-databases, e-books, E-journal subscriptions & local e-repository of internally generated local content including conference proceedings, published articles, theses and dissertations
Multimedia section for use of Multimedia devices such as CDs, DVDs, TVs, VHS videos, & Microfilm
Online payment system to facilitate self- operated printing, subscription to library services, photocopying, etc. This will later be used for payment of other services in the university such as the university bookshop, infirmary and cafeteria
Academic support application softwares e.g. E-Z Proxy, Word processing, software modeling & statistical packages)
A web-based Integrated Library System (ILS) with which students, & lecturers, and external subscribers can interact with over the internet to search library online catalogue for books and journals, reserve them and renew book loans

RFID technology to facilitate innovative services such as self-borrowing and self-return of library materials, printing and photocopying, security, and inventory of library materials Circulation services

Vision, Mission, Goals & Objectives

The Rationale of establishing a New Library
The establishment of the new library is part of a strategic plan to achieve the vision of the university to be \93To be a world class University producing transformative leaders for Church and Society\94. It will contribute in achieving the mission of the university which is:
\93To promote excellence in research, teaching and community service by preparing morally upright leaders based on the intellectual tradition for the Catholic Church\94

Our Vision
To be a world class resource centre in the acquisition, organization, preservation, dissemination and application of knowledge.

Our Mission
To facilitate, maintain and enhance quality research, teaching and community service by developing knowledge collections that reflect the mission of the university, providing expertise, appropriate ICTs, outstanding services and by collaborating with institutions within and outside East African to facilitate knowledge resource sharing.

Our Goal
To support university in achieving its research, teaching, and community service objectives.

Our Objectives

• To identify, select and acquire quality information resources in all formats to support research, teaching goals of all the departments.
• To provide an efficient and effective library and information services that meet the information needs of the clients.
• To develop and implement innovative information systems that will enhance the provision of academic information services.
• Develop in students and staff skills and attitudes in line with the needs of in the 21st knowledge economy e.g. information literacy skills, and an attitude of lifelong learning.
• To promote the welfare of the Kenyan people and beyond community by engaging in community service activities
• To provide appropriate library facilities for efficient research, learning and studying.
• To recruit, develop and grow a highly motivated staff in provision of library and information services.

Philosophy/core values
The library endeavors to put in place library information services that can help the university in such of the whole truth about humanity and God
In this endeavors the library is guided by the following core values:

• Witness of life
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Commitment to service