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knls Donates Books to Nyamira County
Kenya National Library Service Board (knls) Board donated 3000 books worth 2.4 million to Nyamira County Learning and Resource Centre on 21st June 2019. This is in line with the program of equipping libraries, resource centres and learning in order to promote reading and literacy initiatives. knls has also been working with Partners like Book Aid International who also directly support institutions like Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC) and AMREF Health Africa, Story Moja and Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) Libraries among others whereby they donate the books to them through Kenya National Library Service. The donation was received by The County Governor, HE John Nyagarama, who acknowledged that the books were new and covered various disciplines targeting all ages both young and old.
Knls was represented by the CEO, Richard Atuti and Board members who included: Dr Zeddy Rop, Hon Sheikh Aden, Yatich Arap Namba, Patricia Mbaria and Sam Madoka. In her remarks Dr Zeddy Rop encouraged the members of the public to embrace reading and make good use of the resource materials donated. Among other dignitaries were the Interior Coordination Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’i who also emphasized that it is through literacy that communities are able to develop and maintain good conduct as citizens of a nation.
International Literacy Day Celebrations at knls Lusumu Branch
September 8th was proclaimed as International Literacy Day (ILD) at the 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference on 26 October 1966. Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world. The celebrations are aimed at:
- Reminding the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and
- Advancing the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.
The 2019 International Literacy Day (ILD, September 8) was aimed to promote literacy as part of the right to education, as well as a foundation for individuals’ empowerment and inclusive and sustainable development. With the specific theme of ‘Literacy and Multilingualism’, ILD2019 presented an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of the language and its diversity for both individuals and society.
Knls Lusumu Library was sponsored by BAI to facilitate appropriate organization of literacy promotion activities. The celebrations were held at the library grounds and attracted pupils from seven schools, teachers, adult learners, community members and the leadership of the region drawn from the religious, administrative and political fields. The chief guest was the Kakamega Governor who was represented by his deputy HE Prof Philip Kutima, and accompanied by other County Government Officials. Navakholo Area Member of Parliament Hon Emmanuel Wangwe was also present.
In addition to financial support, BAI also donated 600 books for use as gifts to schools and individuals who won in the different reading promotion activities. The Chief Guest in his speech acknowledged that the library is a focal pillar in the growth and development of people.
Celebrating the milestones achieved in the introduction of the e-readers program dubbed LEAP 2.0 in partnership with Worldreader.
| knls Director Richard Atuti, Sejal Shah, Worldreader Board Chair, Joan Mwachi Country Director Worldreader, Sam Madoka Board Member knls and pupils display the LEAP 2.0 report during the launch. |
Kenya National Library Service benefited with over 3000 e-reader devices that were introduced to the libraries in partnership with Worldreader. Through a program dubbed (Libraries, E-Reading, Activities, Partnerships) LEAP, Worldreader sought to work with libraries in promoting reading using digital devices. LEAP 1.0
Library E-reading and Partnership ProgramFollowing the successful implementation of the LEAP 2.0 two-year project, Worldreader released their final project report which was launched on 1st August 2018, at Sarova Panafic Hotel in a breakfast forum. Unlike where independent community libraries were involved, LEAP 2.0 was solely implemented under the knls network. The LEAP (Libraries, E-reading, Activities and Partnerships) project brought Worldreader’s digital reading platform to 61 public libraries in Kenya. It took place over 3 years (2014 – 2017) and delivered 3,000 e-reading devices and over 600,000 e-books across Kenya. It was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The event was attended by publishers, librarians, authors, Worldreader staff, knls staff and journalists, selected beneficiaries of the program among others.
Worldreader collaborates with device manufacturers, local and international publishers, government agencies, education officials, and local communities in order to boost reading worldwide.
Guest during the Worldreader Report Launch at Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi.
Mobile Information Literacy (MIL) and General Training Abilities (ToT)
Mobile information literacy (MIL) is the use of mobile devices to access and share e-resources and information. The MIL cascade training, facilitated by 3 knls trainers (Sarah Ogembo, Raymond Chepkwony and Michael Kazungu) was conducted on 7th – 8th May for twelve (12) ICT officers. knls ICT officers are responsible for managing and maintaining digital technology in knls libraries, and for developing technology skills of librarians and library users. This training was aimed at building capacity for the trainees to cascade mobile information literacy skills to colleagues and community members.
Training on general TOT abilities and ICT curriculum review was held on 9th – 11th May and facilitated by Susan Schnuer, EIFL and Nyasha Sithole from Masiphumelele Community Library-Capetown. The ICT officers reviewed their curriculum and developed individual action plans for cascade trainings in their respective regions.
Inspiring Readers Project-Reading Promotion Event in 5 Hub libraries – May 2018
Five hub libraries that include: knls Rumuruti, Kisii, Nyeri, Lagam and Kabarnet undertook the task of conducting a reading promotion event in their libraries. The reading promotion event was in line with the deliverables of the Inspiring Readers programme Tranche 2. This follows the successful implementation of reading promotion events in the said libraries in Tranche 1 that benefitted the hub libraries and the schools that were chosen in the said tranche. The hub libraries main objectives, through their librarians, was to try to pass on skills to teachers on how to effectively carry out reading promotions events. This is with the view of introducing new ways to champion an active reading culture among the patrons. The teacher librarians got ideas, suggestions and methods of ensuring that they make reading fun. This was through the adoption of spelling competitions, word puzzles, read out loud, role plays and talent creation. The five hub libraries conducted their reading promotion events successfully between 10th-15th May 2018, at the library grounds.
Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL) & Library Spaces
The SILL cascade training for 29 participants (19 TOTs and 10 Librarians) facilitated by 3 knls trainers (Mary Kinyanjui, Miriam Mureithi and Jacobed Masila) and Susan Schnuer-EIFL, was held on 1st to 2nd May 2018. SILL is a leadership training aimed at building the librarians’ capacity to solve problems that may arise while introducing new services in their libraries. The Library Spaces subject training was held on 3rd May 2018 and facilitated by Ari Katz, a trainer from International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). The training develops staff ability to innovate, to use library spaces in creative ways, and to take the lead in implementing action plans.
Youth life skills and career forum – April 19, 2018
The forum was organized by knls Nyeri with partnership with Member of County Assembly Nyeri, Hon Patrick Mutahi who holds the youth docket. The forum sought to address the issues of use of social media, career guide, goal setting and relationship with God. Participants were informed of the need to make quality use of social media since some of the items they share there might not be retrievable and they affect their image as students, job seekers and members of the society. 
Knls also carried out a user education activity in order to raise awareness about knls Services and encourage good utility of the library resources. The session ended with an open session where the youth engaged the MCA on their areas of concern. More than 120 youths attended the forum and they thanked the management for the program.
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