Book lovers at the library in Nairobi August 10, 2015
BY IBRAHIM ORUKO
Did you know about Classifieds, the one-stop shop for services and items to buy and sell? Click on the links to find adverts in:
Richard Atuti is the director of the Kenya National Library Services. He spoke to our writer Ibrahim Oruko.
What would you say is the role of KNLS in national development?
I start from the famous Sessional Paper No 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application in Kenya. The paper identified three challenges that were at that time considered as major threat to the development of the then young independent state of Kenya: illiteracy, diseases and poverty. The consequence of the sessional paper was the establishment of a parastatal in 1965 to address issues related to illiteracy. The Kenya National Library Services Board Act was established to develop programmes that would ensure challenges related to illiteracy were addressed. It was a major programme that is why it earned its relevance. Libraries were constructed in all the then provincial and some district headquarters as part of the efforts by the government to kick out illiteracy and encourage people to seek knowledge in a cheaper way. They were to provide forums for knowledge acquisitions as one of the ways of ensuring faster national development.
In modern times, Vision 2030, which is the country’s main development blueprint, the role of KNLS is cross-cutting. Out of the three pillars on which the Vision is anchored — political, economic and social, we are talking about a knowledge-driven economy. This has placed KNLS on the pedestal. Knowledge is a strong enabler of the three pillars. The relevant knowledge here is domiciled in specific areas of KNLS. But government has no specific areas to store this information. We are the only national agency that has the capacity to store this kind of information and avail it for the widest access by a majority of Kenyans. Our role in the economy involves contributing to independent learning, occupational literacy, adult literacy, recovery programmes while at the same time supplementing on formal education as we develop a sustainable reading culture.
Can you say that over the years funding for the KNLS has been adequate to meet its original dream?
We cannot say funding has ever been adequate. But we can say that it has always been and remains a major challenge. The government has placed the modernisation of the public library as one of its flagship projects. That is one reason why there is massive construction going on within KNLS. We need better structures if we have to preserve our national heritage. Government is using this development to send a special and powerful message out there: that we need a critical reading culture in the country. If it talks without the requisite investment the public will not see the need and all these efforts will come to naught.
The Jubilee government plans to roll out the long awaited laptops programme next year. Has KNLS embanked on digitisation of books. If yes, how much have you done in this regard?
We have a total of 66 libraries spread across the country. All of them are being modernised. We are acquiring electronic information and we already have several projects to facilitate us in harnessing electronic information collection. We have a programme called e-granary that can store up to 60 million books in its data base. This programme is now in Nakuru and Kisumu through the funding of the US government. The programme can be accessed in the library and off line. It has been very useful. We also have e-readers programme which can store 300 books especially for junior readers and we have been supported by e-reader tablets. We are working with e-elimu on this and we have replicated this in most of our facilities. Using these programmes, members are able to not just access information within our branches, but they can also apply for their birth certificates, passports and other essential government documents. But I must say that reading this electronic information is absolutely free. We have also partnered with Microsoft who have accredited KNLS branch libraries as networks which have become Microsoft branch academy at a cost that is highly subsidised. Our librarians have been trained to teach in the academy. What learners are getting are certificates that are globally recognised. One can study from basic to advanced. We know kids like reading together and even train each other. They are already using their facilities to gain experience in these libraries in readiness of the laptop programme.
Have you digitised your services?
We have fully digitised our libraries. We have digitised more than 400 rare books which are historical because they were published in the late 19th century and an example of this is one book called ‘Thinking Black’ which was published in the 18th century as our way of enriching our collection about Kenya. We have also digitised so that we have a comprehensive reference books. We have engaged and notified authors and publishers that we are ready to receive books both in soft and hard copy so that we are ready to offer the digitised service to members. To popularise this collection, we have upgraded our communication system to an open access catalogue that is online and web-based. This will ensure that our members don’t come to the library physically but they can log on the website and see from the comfort of their computers or smart phones all the collections we have in all our 66 branches. All you need is to log on to opacs.knls.co.ke. From this site you visit all our 66 branches and know whatever books we have. You can search your preferred title in any of our system. You will know how many of the title have been loaned out and those available on the shelf. Using this system you can actually go ahead and reserve any book of your choice in any of our libraries then go go and pick it later. This is the only public library that has installed opacs. It is a big leap for us. We are prepared to strengthen it because, from your living room, you can reserve a book and go for it.
Kenya is said to have a poor reading culture. Focus is always placed on academics, school books, newspaper and magazines. Do you agree with this assessment?
While that has been the popular opinion, I want to say things have changed considerably. Evidence we have as a result of the survey we conducted show that at least 72 per cent of Kenyans are involved in serious reading. May be the question could then be what they are reading. Our records show that at least 21 million Kenyans used our facilities across the country in 2014. This was a marginal rise from 2013 when we had 18.7 million Kenyans using our libraries. The uptake of information materials within our network is very good and quite encouraging. As you can see the interest is there. Kenyans are reading. What we do not have is adequate information sources. The library infrastructure across the country is not adequate to support the increasing demand of reading materials. Out of the 47 counties, we have libraries in just about 33 of them. Some 14 counties have no libraries and this is something to worry about. Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Busia, Tana River, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, Machakos, Kiambu Kirinyaga Nyamira and Homa Bay have no public libraries. It is up to the government to put in place deliberate policies to support the reading culture that has spawned in recent times. Income of most working people is not enough to make Kenyans engage in reading for recreation. There is a serious battle between reading and need for basic necessities driven by the levels of income and the standards of living. The government should construct information centres to fill this gap. They say that if you surround people with chocolate they eat chocolate. The government must surround the people with centres of knowledge and they will no doubt consume knowledge
Briefly take us through the process of becoming a member of the public library.
It is as simple as filling an application form and submitting photocopies of your identification papers. You will then be registered for free. You will then be eligible to use the library anywhere in the republic. However, each day you visit you pay Sh20 and then you access anything in the library; free Wi-fi, free internet from our own computers and you can borrow a book for up to 14 days. All children of primary school going age access our facility free of charge. In recent times we have been forced to introduce borrowing fee pegged at Sh10 for adults and Sh5 for children as long as you stay with the book for as long as a fortnight. This token fee is aimed at going to the maintenance of the books. This is a token because the highest cost we incur is wear and tear of our books. A popular book does not last long on the shelf because of the demand. More often it has a life span of just four months at most.
But let me say that we have found a solution on the problem of wear and tear. We are developing Virtual Library that will enable our members to borrow books online, pay online and get them in soft copy. Apart from solving the problems of tear, it also increases wider access. But to achieve this we need publishers to be the major partners in this project because they own the content. We are currently developing a national master plan for library services in Kenya with the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis to enable us share the information we have with the two levels of government on how to develop the library in every constituency by 2030.
With the advent of devolution, what are your plans to ensure that your services are felt in every corner of the country?
We are in the process of putting out plans to guide the establishment and cost of putting up a library. We are helping counties with devolution plans so that those KNLS functions can be devolved pursuant to the law. KNLS has a broad mandate that is dual; that is, it is both a national and public library. A Bill which will determine which of these functions is to be devolved is already before the Attorney General and we expect it in Parliament soon.
You talk of national and public library. What is the difference between the two?
The national library is the service for the country. It ensures preservation and conservation of national documentary heritage. The law requires that two copies of every information ever produced about Kenya, either within or without Kenya, must be submitted to KNLS for preservation and conservation. Under this we have the Comprehensive Reference Service which publishes the National Bibliography. The national Bibliography is an annual record of all books in Kenya. The national library also issues international standard book numbers (ISBN) which identifies all books. KNLS has automated this service and authors need not come to KNLS for it. They need to apply and pay online from wherever they are in the Republic of Kenya and they will be issued with the number on the touch of a button. We also print the bar codes for the ISBN.
On the other hand, the public library role is a service that avails all types of books and materials that support formal learning. As a role, public library is a source that stimulates interest in books and promotes a culture of reading in society. It is a source of recreation and reading for pleasure.
Tell us about the massive physical expansion. The new building coming up in Nairobi, Buru Buru etc
As I have said, the government has positioned the library as a flagship project. That is why the construction is going on. This is a modern building and on its completion it will cost Sh2.4 billion. The current building will go down and a new one come up at the same site, including a car park. It will host the national documentary heritage materials, digital content electronic information and a virtual library that will accessed by all Kenyans. The first phase of the building will be ready by December this year. Offices are yet to be done because we are focusing on space that will enhance service delivery. It will make us move from congested to spacious building that is compatible with technology. Apart from being the headquarters, it will act as the centre of innovation for the young. If we have to preserve our heritage we need a better building. With this new building, the government is sending a powerful message that it supports critical reading. This is because too much talk without the necessary investment will only demoralise the public and people will not see the need for critical reading.
What happened to the mobile library services?
The service is still operational but in selected areas. Embu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Kisumu are some of the areas where this this service is offered. However the board took a conscious decision to scale down on the service due to cost implications. Mobile library is costly because of the high tear and wear of books; and the cost of maintaining vehicles. The board has a bias towards virtual library which we believe has the capacity to ensure the widest accessibility of our materials. We also believe that it has the capacity to protect intellectual property of authors and publishers. That is why we are cautious. That is we are taking long to adopt the virtual library system. We also encourage the publishers to embrace this new system because it is everywhere in the world.
KNLS has had events to promote reading. Please tell us more about them and their impact.
We have many events which in our view is a mix of approaches to market library services and promote reading among the Kenyan public depending on their age. KNLS has developed reading clubs that can engage and give opportunity to the young children to come and read for themselves. We have established teen corners in our libraries where young children come and do some story telling. We participate in reading competitions, Nairobi reading fair and many other reading exhibitions. We are also engaged in Internet marketing and also partnered with the entertainment industry like Churchill TV show to promote a culture of reading. But let me say that parents have a greater role to promote a culture of reading. We cannot leave it to teachers or the library. It is parents who must introduce their children into book early on in life, by having a home library or visiting the library with them. The parents must instill a book buying culture in their children.
Do you have a bulk book lending programme that could encourage individuals to borrow books in bulk?
We have the programme, but it is limited to institutions. We encourage institutions that are far away from the library to register with us and borrow books in bulk for the benefit of their members.
You have been voted winners of the Maktaba Awards what makes your service stand out?
The quality of the environment we offer within our facilities. But put simply, we benchmark with the best while our services have been integrated with technology.
BY IBRAHIM ORUKO
Did you know about Classifieds, the one-stop shop for services and items to buy and sell? Click on the links to find adverts in:
Richard Atuti is the director of the Kenya National Library Services. He spoke to our writer Ibrahim Oruko.
What would you say is the role of KNLS in national development?
I start from the famous Sessional Paper No 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application in Kenya. The paper identified three challenges that were at that time considered as major threat to the development of the then young independent state of Kenya: illiteracy, diseases and poverty. The consequence of the sessional paper was the establishment of a parastatal in 1965 to address issues related to illiteracy. The Kenya National Library Services Board Act was established to develop programmes that would ensure challenges related to illiteracy were addressed. It was a major programme that is why it earned its relevance. Libraries were constructed in all the then provincial and some district headquarters as part of the efforts by the government to kick out illiteracy and encourage people to seek knowledge in a cheaper way. They were to provide forums for knowledge acquisitions as one of the ways of ensuring faster national development.
In modern times, Vision 2030, which is the country’s main development blueprint, the role of KNLS is cross-cutting. Out of the three pillars on which the Vision is anchored — political, economic and social, we are talking about a knowledge-driven economy. This has placed KNLS on the pedestal. Knowledge is a strong enabler of the three pillars. The relevant knowledge here is domiciled in specific areas of KNLS. But government has no specific areas to store this information. We are the only national agency that has the capacity to store this kind of information and avail it for the widest access by a majority of Kenyans. Our role in the economy involves contributing to independent learning, occupational literacy, adult literacy, recovery programmes while at the same time supplementing on formal education as we develop a sustainable reading culture.
Can you say that over the years funding for the KNLS has been adequate to meet its original dream?
We cannot say funding has ever been adequate. But we can say that it has always been and remains a major challenge. The government has placed the modernisation of the public library as one of its flagship projects. That is one reason why there is massive construction going on within KNLS. We need better structures if we have to preserve our national heritage. Government is using this development to send a special and powerful message out there: that we need a critical reading culture in the country. If it talks without the requisite investment the public will not see the need and all these efforts will come to naught.
The Jubilee government plans to roll out the long awaited laptops programme next year. Has KNLS embanked on digitisation of books. If yes, how much have you done in this regard?
We have a total of 66 libraries spread across the country. All of them are being modernised. We are acquiring electronic information and we already have several projects to facilitate us in harnessing electronic information collection. We have a programme called e-granary that can store up to 60 million books in its data base. This programme is now in Nakuru and Kisumu through the funding of the US government. The programme can be accessed in the library and off line. It has been very useful. We also have e-readers programme which can store 300 books especially for junior readers and we have been supported by e-reader tablets. We are working with e-elimu on this and we have replicated this in most of our facilities. Using these programmes, members are able to not just access information within our branches, but they can also apply for their birth certificates, passports and other essential government documents. But I must say that reading this electronic information is absolutely free. We have also partnered with Microsoft who have accredited KNLS branch libraries as networks which have become Microsoft branch academy at a cost that is highly subsidised. Our librarians have been trained to teach in the academy. What learners are getting are certificates that are globally recognised. One can study from basic to advanced. We know kids like reading together and even train each other. They are already using their facilities to gain experience in these libraries in readiness of the laptop programme.
Have you digitised your services?
We have fully digitised our libraries. We have digitised more than 400 rare books which are historical because they were published in the late 19th century and an example of this is one book called ‘Thinking Black’ which was published in the 18th century as our way of enriching our collection about Kenya. We have also digitised so that we have a comprehensive reference books. We have engaged and notified authors and publishers that we are ready to receive books both in soft and hard copy so that we are ready to offer the digitised service to members. To popularise this collection, we have upgraded our communication system to an open access catalogue that is online and web-based. This will ensure that our members don’t come to the library physically but they can log on the website and see from the comfort of their computers or smart phones all the collections we have in all our 66 branches. All you need is to log on to opacs.knls.co.ke. From this site you visit all our 66 branches and know whatever books we have. You can search your preferred title in any of our system. You will know how many of the title have been loaned out and those available on the shelf. Using this system you can actually go ahead and reserve any book of your choice in any of our libraries then go go and pick it later. This is the only public library that has installed opacs. It is a big leap for us. We are prepared to strengthen it because, from your living room, you can reserve a book and go for it.
Kenya is said to have a poor reading culture. Focus is always placed on academics, school books, newspaper and magazines. Do you agree with this assessment?
While that has been the popular opinion, I want to say things have changed considerably. Evidence we have as a result of the survey we conducted show that at least 72 per cent of Kenyans are involved in serious reading. May be the question could then be what they are reading. Our records show that at least 21 million Kenyans used our facilities across the country in 2014. This was a marginal rise from 2013 when we had 18.7 million Kenyans using our libraries. The uptake of information materials within our network is very good and quite encouraging. As you can see the interest is there. Kenyans are reading. What we do not have is adequate information sources. The library infrastructure across the country is not adequate to support the increasing demand of reading materials. Out of the 47 counties, we have libraries in just about 33 of them. Some 14 counties have no libraries and this is something to worry about. Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Busia, Tana River, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, Machakos, Kiambu Kirinyaga Nyamira and Homa Bay have no public libraries. It is up to the government to put in place deliberate policies to support the reading culture that has spawned in recent times. Income of most working people is not enough to make Kenyans engage in reading for recreation. There is a serious battle between reading and need for basic necessities driven by the levels of income and the standards of living. The government should construct information centres to fill this gap. They say that if you surround people with chocolate they eat chocolate. The government must surround the people with centres of knowledge and they will no doubt consume knowledge
Briefly take us through the process of becoming a member of the public library.
It is as simple as filling an application form and submitting photocopies of your identification papers. You will then be registered for free. You will then be eligible to use the library anywhere in the republic. However, each day you visit you pay Sh20 and then you access anything in the library; free Wi-fi, free internet from our own computers and you can borrow a book for up to 14 days. All children of primary school going age access our facility free of charge. In recent times we have been forced to introduce borrowing fee pegged at Sh10 for adults and Sh5 for children as long as you stay with the book for as long as a fortnight. This token fee is aimed at going to the maintenance of the books. This is a token because the highest cost we incur is wear and tear of our books. A popular book does not last long on the shelf because of the demand. More often it has a life span of just four months at most.
But let me say that we have found a solution on the problem of wear and tear. We are developing Virtual Library that will enable our members to borrow books online, pay online and get them in soft copy. Apart from solving the problems of tear, it also increases wider access. But to achieve this we need publishers to be the major partners in this project because they own the content. We are currently developing a national master plan for library services in Kenya with the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis to enable us share the information we have with the two levels of government on how to develop the library in every constituency by 2030.
With the advent of devolution, what are your plans to ensure that your services are felt in every corner of the country?
We are in the process of putting out plans to guide the establishment and cost of putting up a library. We are helping counties with devolution plans so that those KNLS functions can be devolved pursuant to the law. KNLS has a broad mandate that is dual; that is, it is both a national and public library. A Bill which will determine which of these functions is to be devolved is already before the Attorney General and we expect it in Parliament soon.
You talk of national and public library. What is the difference between the two?
The national library is the service for the country. It ensures preservation and conservation of national documentary heritage. The law requires that two copies of every information ever produced about Kenya, either within or without Kenya, must be submitted to KNLS for preservation and conservation. Under this we have the Comprehensive Reference Service which publishes the National Bibliography. The national Bibliography is an annual record of all books in Kenya. The national library also issues international standard book numbers (ISBN) which identifies all books. KNLS has automated this service and authors need not come to KNLS for it. They need to apply and pay online from wherever they are in the Republic of Kenya and they will be issued with the number on the touch of a button. We also print the bar codes for the ISBN.
On the other hand, the public library role is a service that avails all types of books and materials that support formal learning. As a role, public library is a source that stimulates interest in books and promotes a culture of reading in society. It is a source of recreation and reading for pleasure.
Tell us about the massive physical expansion. The new building coming up in Nairobi, Buru Buru etc
As I have said, the government has positioned the library as a flagship project. That is why the construction is going on. This is a modern building and on its completion it will cost Sh2.4 billion. The current building will go down and a new one come up at the same site, including a car park. It will host the national documentary heritage materials, digital content electronic information and a virtual library that will accessed by all Kenyans. The first phase of the building will be ready by December this year. Offices are yet to be done because we are focusing on space that will enhance service delivery. It will make us move from congested to spacious building that is compatible with technology. Apart from being the headquarters, it will act as the centre of innovation for the young. If we have to preserve our heritage we need a better building. With this new building, the government is sending a powerful message that it supports critical reading. This is because too much talk without the necessary investment will only demoralise the public and people will not see the need for critical reading.
What happened to the mobile library services?
The service is still operational but in selected areas. Embu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Kisumu are some of the areas where this this service is offered. However the board took a conscious decision to scale down on the service due to cost implications. Mobile library is costly because of the high tear and wear of books; and the cost of maintaining vehicles. The board has a bias towards virtual library which we believe has the capacity to ensure the widest accessibility of our materials. We also believe that it has the capacity to protect intellectual property of authors and publishers. That is why we are cautious. That is we are taking long to adopt the virtual library system. We also encourage the publishers to embrace this new system because it is everywhere in the world.
KNLS has had events to promote reading. Please tell us more about them and their impact.
We have many events which in our view is a mix of approaches to market library services and promote reading among the Kenyan public depending on their age. KNLS has developed reading clubs that can engage and give opportunity to the young children to come and read for themselves. We have established teen corners in our libraries where young children come and do some story telling. We participate in reading competitions, Nairobi reading fair and many other reading exhibitions. We are also engaged in Internet marketing and also partnered with the entertainment industry like Churchill TV show to promote a culture of reading. But let me say that parents have a greater role to promote a culture of reading. We cannot leave it to teachers or the library. It is parents who must introduce their children into book early on in life, by having a home library or visiting the library with them. The parents must instill a book buying culture in their children.
Do you have a bulk book lending programme that could encourage individuals to borrow books in bulk?
We have the programme, but it is limited to institutions. We encourage institutions that are far away from the library to register with us and borrow books in bulk for the benefit of their members.
You have been voted winners of the Maktaba Awards what makes your service stand out?
The quality of the environment we offer within our facilities. But put simply, we benchmark with the best while our services have been integrated with technology.