National and public libraries

The National Library and the public libraries are both the functions of Kenya National Library ServiceNational Library Service of Kenya which is mandated by the law under Cap 225 of the Laws of Kenya, April 1965. Currently there is one National Library which is located at Community-Upper Hill, Nairobi. There are 64 public libraries spread in different parts of the country.National Library Service of Kenya In addition, some of the county government have libraries under them which are either operational or nonoperational. Nairobi county has four libraries located at Kayole, Makadara, Dagoretti and McMillan Memorial Library at the Nairobi Central Business District (the oldest library in Nairobi).

Kenya National Library Service has a total of 64 branches spread in different parts of the country. The libraries offer varied services depending on location and mode of establishment.

Branches within Kenya National Library Service Network

No. County No. of Libraries Area Situated 1 Baringo 3 Kabarnet, Meisori, Eldama Ravine 2 Bomet 1 Silibwet 3 Bungoma 1 Kimilili 4 Busia None – 5 Elgeyo/Marakwet 1 Lagam 6 Embu 1 Embu 7 Garissa 3 Garissa, Mbalambala, Masalani 8 Homa Bay None – 9 Isiolo 1 Isiolo 10 Kajiado None – 11 Kakamega 2 Kakamega, Lusumu 12 Kericho 1 Kericho 13 Kiambu 1 Thika 14 Kilifi 3 Kilifi, Dzitsoni, Malindi 15 Kirinyaga None – 16 Kisii 1 Kisii 17 Kisumu 2 Kisumu, Koru (Dr. Robert Ouko Memorial Library) 18 Kitui 1 Mwingi 19 Kwale 1 Kwale (Ukunda) 20 Laikipia 2 Nanyuki, Rumuruti 21 Lamu None – 22 Machakos None – 23 Makueni 3 Mutyambua, Kinyambu, Kithasyu 24 Mandera 1 Mandera 25 Marsabit 1 Moyale 26 Meru 3 Meru, Mikumbune, Timau, Gatimbi 27 Migori 1 Awendo 28 Mombasa 1 Mombasa 29 Murang'a 2 Murang'a, Kangema 30 Nairobi 3 Nairobi Area, Buruburu, Kibera 31 Nakuru 3 Nakuru, Naivasha, Gilgil 32 Nandi 1 Kapsabet 33 Narok 2 Narok, Lelechonik 34 Nyamira None – 35 Nyandarua 1 Ol Kalou 36 Nyeri 4 Nyeri, Munyu, Chinga, Karatina 37 Samburu None – 38 Siaya 3 Nyilima, Rambula, Ukwala 39 Taita Taveta 3 Wundanyi, Voi, Werugha (Mary Patch Turnbull Memorial Library) 40 Tana River None – 41 Tharaka Nithi None – 42 Trans Nzoia None – 43 Turkana None – 44 Uasin Gishu 1 Eldoret 45 Vihiga None – 46 Wajir 5 Wajir, Griftu, Habasweni, Tarbaj, Bute 47 West Pokot None – 48. Athi river Elimika resource center TOTAL 64

Community libraries

Community libraries have been established through the support of donors, individuals and institutions within the country as a way of empowering disadvantaged communities, promoting increased literacy levels and as a way of promoting a reading culture within the country. Some of these libraries are:

Mathare Youth Sports Association Libraries (located in slums) – has two branches Busia Community Library Akili Community Libraries Container Libraries in Kenya Sidarec Community Library Kigima Resource Centre Elangata Wuas Resource Centre Hosanna B&K Library, (located at Praise Jesus Park, Salvation Street, Kahuro). Karen Roses Joint Body Resource Centre Micato-Amshare Library and Resource Centre (located in Mukuru slums) – offers free services to the community

Academic libraries

Under this category are the libraries found in public academic institutions like the public universities, colleges, polytechnics and academies. These libraries mostly contain academic books and information resources relating to the subjects of concentration by those institutions. The leading academic Library in Kenya is under the University of Nairobi, the first university to be established in Kenya in 1956 as the Royal Technical College.

See also List of universities and colleges in Kenya Library associations in Kenya Mass media in Kenya

References

Further reading

External links