Communities collaborate to establish mobile libraries that promote lifelong learning, particularly in rural areas.
“Starting a library does not need much to start, except having people who are willing to read and those delivering books to them and an identified source,” said Kisii University Chief Librarian, Lilian Gisesa.
She was addressing officials from Botaranda professionals, Home News Reading (HRC) from Bomachoge Borabu Constituency at her office at Kisii University.
The group narrated how they have struggled over the last ten years to utilise their resources to bring educational services closer to people by providing storybooks, newspapers, and banners to groups and individuals in the area, encouraging a reading culture.
“We started by collecting and storing old newspapers like The Nation and The Standard with adults, and later on we extended to storybooks that capture the interest of children,” said Karamu Moiruruki.
He highlighted the main problems they face, ranging from obtaining sufficient reference books and means of transportation to accessing the selected venues.
They requested that the Kisii County government open the Kenya Library to enable them to borrow books for their members.
They stated that the construction of the library room was completed more than seven years ago, but it was later converted into a hostel for police officers.
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The members thanked some local churches for providing Christian teaching, home life, agricultural support, and health services, which have improved literacy among the residents, the majority of whom are adults with limited digital skills.
Mrs Gisesa encourage them not to loose heart with their voluntary services of supporting literacy in the rural areas adding that means of transporting the books should not be a big obstacle as they can use the commonly available bodaboda or use donkeys or carts but cautioned them against exposing the boos to rain and dust that can spoil them.
She took her time to highlight the importance of mobile libraries, ranging from educational opportunities through workshops, and the flexibility to assess remote areas.
She encouraged them to continue sensitising the residents to support the programme, as it would lead to stronger community empowerment through social interaction and wider networking, harnessing their latent and known ideas for greater prosperity.
She asked the team to work hand in hand with the surrounding schools and library establishment experts to enable them to achieve their dreams and vision of empowering communities through consistent reading.
By Enock OKong’o
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