Introduction
The KARI- Kitale Center library serves clientele in agricultural research sector and its collaborators.  The collection available is therefore mainly agricultural.  The information centre has its information materials through cataloguing and classification in order to realize ease of access by the users.

Services
Library and Information services at the centre disseminate information through the available tools like the CD-ROMS, computer databases on MICRO CDS-ISIS software, Current Awareness Services (CAS), Selective Dissemination of information (SDI), newspaper cuttings etc.  The information centre also provides information on request.  The available information is disseminated to KARI scientists, Post-graduate students from the universities, students on attachment, extension staff, and Kenya Seed Company staff, KEPHIS among others.

Library Hours
The library is open from Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm.  It remains closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays.

Membership
The Library and Information service is primarily intended for KARI staff, visiting Scientists, participants in various KARI training programmes and farmers.  Scientists from other research institutions in Kenya may use the library for reference and reading purposes.  They may borrow items only through their own libraries, which have made inter-library loan arrangements with KARI.

The Library Collection
Books, Monographs, Proceedings and Technical Reports over 5,000
Current periodicals 10 titles
Non current journal titles over 50 titles

Methods of access to information
The most reliable way of finding out if a particular item is available in the library is through the catalogue.  The library staff members are available to assist.  Access to the journal collection is made through the records in the Kardex.

Information outside Kenya
Access to materials not available in Kenya is made through major international bibliographic databases that document agricultural research.  This databases which the library houses include: Agora (CABI Abstracts), Crop protection compendium, Animal Health Compendium and the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library.

Building housing KARI Kitale library

Inside KARI Kitale library