Assessing Financial Investment and Maximization of Electronic Resources Usage at Technical University of Mombasa and Kenya Methodist University

Purpose: Academic libraries, such as those at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), have invested heavily in electronic resources to enhance academic performance and research output. These investments, funded by parent institutions, partners, and donors, are costly, prompting libraries to justify their spending and develop strategies for maximizing resource utilization. This study assessed financial investments and the maximization of electronic resource usage by analyzing budget allocations, user perceptions, utilization patterns, and benefits derived from these resources. Methodology: Guided by Edward Freeman’s 1984 Stakeholder Theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design with a target population of 23,039 and a sample size of 426, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, faculty, and library staff. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, with pretesting conducted at the University of Nairobi’s Mombasa campus. Results: The findings revealed that TUM and KeMU collectively spent $124,320.12 on electronic resources, with 83.8% of library staff expressing satisfaction with the budget, while users reported low perceptions of budget allocations. However, 75.8% of users actively utilized these resources and reported substantial academic benefits. Conclusions: Financial investments significantly impact resource maximization, and involving users in the acquisition process could improve budget alignment with user needs. It recommended increased investment in electronic resources, staff training, user engagement in acquisition, and user involvement in resource reviews to enhance satisfaction and resource utilization. Further research is suggested to explore factors like user needs assessments, technological infrastructure, and information literacy programs to develop comprehensive strategies for optimizing electronic resource management in university libraries.