Mr. David Kipchirchir KOECH

OffLine

Staff Information

PERSONAL DETAILS

Designation: Library Attendant
Department: Library Services
Address: 20157-Kabarak

SUMMARY

David Koech is the founder of the Library Matters Initiative Africa-LMI-AFRICA blog, an International Panelist on Open Educational Resources, a librarian at Kabarak University, an International Research4Life master trainer, an academic information seeker, a copyright Maven and Kenya sign language interpreter, interpreting for the Deaf, and a basic Russian language conversant, ensuring No one is left behind in accessing information.

During the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, students all over the globe were in big shock as face-to-face learning could not happen anymore. The government suggested online learning or blended learning, and this posed a serious problem for students, who got confused on how to cope with academic culture. Universities and libraries were not able to do face-to-face user education or orientation, giving students instructions on academic culture. With the knowledge I had on "information and digital literacy for university success, I began online lessons and disseminated the information. It addressed challenges students were facing with academic culture shock and accessing information. The following are topics I addressed:

Accessing information in the library,
Avoiding plagiarism,
Developing a search strategy,
The issue of representing ourselves well to others online,
Digital networks for learning and research,
Defining information needs and
Referencing and Attributing sources.

David is passionate about partnering across to meet the needs of library patrons, advocating for sustainable development goals (SDG), open educational resources (OER), library establishment in communities, media and information literacy, digital storytelling, and program development and management professional.

David is among the young African library leaders shaping the future of African libraries,selected from nine African countries by Library Aid Africa

Currently,David is leading a number of impactful initiatives for his community, such as advocating for sustainable development goals to improve libraries, health, security, and education. He also uses digital storytelling to inform and educate.

Also,David is working on an initiative called Titiled: Library Workshops and Trainings in Harnessing Technology, Advocacy, and Access to Information. Its main activities are the user engagement program, Kenyan sign language training, access to information training, and computer basic skills training.

David is also a verified champion. He joined the United Nations-verified champions that help fight misinformation, where he receives regular bulletins containing the latest insights, updates, and fact-based messages to share with his community.

''Making an impact in African libraries is my commitment, and therefore, the time has come for young African library leaders to speak about libraries because if we don't, no one will!In this regard, to impact the community through my profession, I'm moving forward in a more equipped direction that I'm passionate about: ensuring libraries are visible and community-oriented institutions''-David Koech-

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

January 2018 to November 2018: Diploma in Information Studies from Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology.

February 2018 to June 2018: Horizon Sign Language Training Centre, Certificate in Basic Kenyan Sign Language

2015 -2017: Certificate in Library Information Studies from Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology.

2010-2013: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E), Ol-Rongai Secondary School.

1996-2009: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) , Kaiso primary school.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

February- 8th March 2024: openness for Librarians course by OER Africa and African Library & Information Associations & Institutions (AFLIA)

2023: Russian Language in Africa: the Way of Friendship and Cooperation"

3rd April- 7th May 2023: The Research4Life Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) 8th Edition was supported by Research4Life and coordinated by the Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA).

1. Online Access to Research in the Environment :OARE

2. Research for Health: Hinari

3. Research for Global Justice: GOALI

4. Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture: AGORA

5. Access to Research for Development and Innovation : ARDI

February, 2023: Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Training for Small and Rural Libraries

eCourse Presented by the American Library Association Public Programs Office (ALA)

November - December 2022: Research4life master trainer course,under the leadership of Research4Life in partnership with the Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa (South Africa).

October - November 2022: Open Educational Resources for Online Learning-offered jointly by commonwealth of Learning and the National Open University of Nigeria (Certificate of competency).

October,2022: Understanding Open Educational Resources (OER) -Commonwealth of Learning,Canada.

October,2022: Attended the British Council World Teachers' Day Online Conference

September,2022: "Leveraging OERs to Enhance Higher Learning" -Commonwealth Educational Media Centre For Asia and DELNET-commonwealth of learning

September, 2022: "Developing a 'Be of Service Attitude' for Serving the Library Users" by DELNET- Developing Library Network

July,2022: Role of Libraries in Research Information Management (RIM) in HEIs" by Dr. Sumeer Gul, Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kashmir organized by DELNET-Developing Library Network.

July,2022: "Enhancing User-centered Services : Changing Perspectives for LIS Professionals" by Ms Padmaja Muralidharan,Senior Librarian, Nanyang Technological University,Singapore DELNET-Developing Library Network.

April - May 2022: Research4 Life Massive Open Online Course, Supported by Research4 Life and coordinated by the Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa(ITOCA) on:

1. Online Access to Research in the Environment :OARE

2. Research for Health: Hinari

3. Research for Global Justice: GOALI

4. Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture: AGORA

5. Access to Research for Development and Innovation : ARDI

March,2022: Virtual International Development Program for the Library and information science (LIS ) Professionals on “Library Services in the Virtual World: Quality and Effective Information Delivery’’ held in India.

2021-DATE: Young African Librat lery Leader representing Kenya, participated YALLF2021 Fellowship.

October,2021: Open Contenarning pathway Open Educational Resources-OER) organized by OER Africa and African Library & Information Associations & Institutions (AFLIA)

December,2021: Russian and enhanced communicative skills held in the Republic of Tanzania.

October - September,2021: Copyright for Educators & Librarians offered by Duke University,Emory University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Coursera.

February ,2020: Responding to Sexual Violence in the Aid Workplace, By: Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation.

April -October,2020: Information & Digital Literacy for University Success course offered by the University of Sydney.COL-Coursera Workforce Recovery Program, a fully sponsored online learning opportunity for the library users and students to gain skills. It is a skill development programme being implemented by The African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL),Canada and Coursera.

August - December,2019: Kenya Sign Language at American Space-Kenya National Library Services-Nakuru.

November - December,2019: Academic Information seeking from the University of Copenhagen and Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

November -December,2019: positive psychology: Martin E.P.Seligman’s from the University of Pennsylvania.

November,2019: Effective Communication for Healthy outcomes facilitated by young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

October,2019: Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance facilitated by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

September -October,2019: Community Organizing for Action,how to inspire and engage volunteers to be proactive in their communities and organize grassroots campaigns, offered by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

May,2013: Nakuru branch humanity power walk organised by Kenya Red cross

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

: Library and Infomation Science (LIS)

WORK EXPERIENCE

April 2024: Library World Tour-Mario Coffa, interviewed on"Open Access, Digital Storytelling, and Technology between Communities and Sustainable Development Goals for Libraries''

May –August Semester 2023: volunteered to train Kabarak University Nakuru city campus staff sign language.

AUGUST 2023: Volunteered to translate UNESCO OER Logo into Kiswahili: The UNESCO OER Recommendation and Open Knowledge .An Overview for African Librarians: https://web.aflia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UNESCO-OER-Recommendation-Overview-for-librarians-_230802_093332.pdf

Jan,2020 - Date: Library attendant -Kabarak University.

July 2023: Kabarak University career day sign Language Interpreter for the deaf.

2021,Community initiative: Organized Online lessons on varous topics such as accessing information,Avoiding plagiarism in our institutions,How do we represent ourselves well to others online,Developing a search strategy,Referencing and attributing sources and Digital Networks for learning and Research among other useful topics, to solve a bigger challenge our Library patrons were experincing during covid-19 pandemic in accessing information.

December ,2018 - December, 2019: Library Casual -Kabarak University.

2018: Peer Educator -Rift Valley Institute Of Science And Technology (RVIST)

September,2017-December,2017: Post attachment - Kabarak University Library.

Sebtember,2016 to November ,2016: Practical Attachment-Kabarak University library.

KEY PROJECTS

July 2023 TO Date: kabarak University Nakuru city campus staff training on Basic Kenya Sign Laguage to promote community outreach services.

2022: Library Blog Initiative, Title: Library matters Initiative Africa-LMI-AFRICA ,solving the challenge of accessing information resources, focusing on Open Educational Resources-SDG 4,Quality Education.

2021 to Date: Library workshops and training in Harnessing Technology ,Advocay and Access to information.Main activities are; Library user engagement program,Access to information ,Computer basic skills trainings and Kenya Basic Sign Language trainings.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

2024: Open Access, Digital storytelling and Technology between communities and sustainable development goals for libraries.

1. Mario Coffa interviews David Koech , Library Word Tour

2. 21st Century Information & Library Network _ Infolibnet

AUGUST 2023: Logo Translation .The UNESCO OER Recommendation and Open Knowledge An Overview for African Librarians- AFLIA UNESCO OER Recommendations

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

1. August, 2023: Conversations on UNESCO OER Recommendation and Open Knowledge: An overview for African librarians -African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA)

2. 17th August 2023: Conversations on UNESCO OER Recommendation and Open Knowledge: An overview for African librarians -African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA)

3. 31st May 2023: Research4life specific collections and searching Training ,Kabarak University Library staff

4. March, 2023: Navigating Research4life content portal training at Midlands State University, Harare ,Zimbabwe.

Key topics

- Introduction

- Access to the Unified Content Portal

- Browse Unified Portal

- Browse by Collections

- Database Search

- Journals Search

- Browse Databases, Reference Sources and Free Collections

- Search across Research4Life using Summon

- Country Offer

- Find/download an article and export a journal citation

- Troubleshooting and support

5. February, 2023: Webinar: Openness, the public good and African librarians organized by OER-Africa and African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA:https://web.aflia.net/webinar-openness-the-public-good-and-african-librarians/

6. August,2022: Understanding and implementation of OER practices in the African library and information science sector organized by African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA):

https://web.aflia.net/understanding-and-implementation-of-oer-practices-in-the-african-library-and-information-science-sector/

The webinar answered the following discussion areas;

-Why OER?

- What does the African academic and research sector stand to gain from the practice of OER?

-Share your thoughts on the uptake of the practice and principles of OER in your country or region of Africa. Share specific examples on the uptake where necessary

- What do you think librarians ought to know and do for OER to thrive effectively in their institutions?

HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS

May –August Semester 2023: Appreciated for going beyond regular job expectations and volunteering to train Kabarak University Nakuru city campus staff sign language.

2021: Young African Library Leader -Library Aid Africa

December,2021: Recommendation by the vice chancellor Kabarak University for Work Commitment during 2020 covid-19 pandemic.

April, 2020: Recognition by the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) for making a personal commitment to promote accountability and transparency in Kenya.

September,2019: Recommendation for impressive Library services offered to Library patrons.

April,2011: Appreciation for being most disciplined student in Ol-Rongai Secondary School.

MEMBERSHIP / ASSOCIATION

2024 to date: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) network member

2022 to date: Young African Library Leaders Network Co Leader for programs in Africa.

2022 to date: Review and selction Committee -YALLF 2022 applicants.

2021 to date: Young African Library Leader.

2022: Young African Leaders Initiative Network Member (YALI) by U.S Department State: https://yali.state.gov/

June15,2020 to date: YouthLead member

2018: Peer Educator,Rift Valley Institute of Science and Techlogy.

2012 to 2013: Bible Reading coordinator-Ol Rongai Secondary School.

Our Moral Code

As members of Kabarak University family, we purpose at all times and in all places, to set apart in one’s heart, Jesus as Lord. (1 Peter 3:15)