Towards a Framework for Digital Collection Development in Academic Libraries: Evidence from the Cooperative University of Kenya

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed academic libraries, creating bothopportunities and challenges for digital collection development. In Kenya, many academiclibraries lack adequate frameworks to guide the acquisition, management, and alignment of digitalresources with user needs. This study assessed the current state of digital collection developmentat the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) Library and proposed a customized frameworksuited to its institutional context and user requirements. A convergent parallel mixed-methodsdesign was employed, targeting 396 participants (students, library staff, and faculty heads), witha response rate of 64% (n=254). Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides.Key findings showed a significant gap between high user demand for digital resources and theadequacy of existing collections. Budget constraints and inadequate ICT infrastructure emergedas the primary barriers. Qualitative findings revealed fragmented collections across multipleplatforms, inconsistent user awareness leading to underutilization, and significant digital literacygaps. The study proposes a comprehensive framework comprising five interdependent pillars: aformal digital collection policy, a sustainable funding model, unified technical infrastructure,strategic collection development, and human capacity development. These pillars operate withina continuous user engagement and feedback loop. The framework offers a practical, evidencebased model for academic libraries in Kenya and similar resource-constrained environmentsseeking to transition toward integrated, user-centered digital knowledge hubs.