Migori County government has commissioned a new public library at Msomi Centre in Migori town in a major step towards promoting literacy, education, research, and a reading culture among residents.
The facility was commissioned by County Secretary Dr Oscar Olima on behalf of Governor Dr Ochilo Ayacko.
Established in 2023 through a partnership between the Migori County Government, Suna Migori Rotary Club, and the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), the library is expected to benefit students , researchers, educators, and the wider community.
The project received a major boost from Suna Migori Rotary Club, which donated more than 40,000 books valued at Sh52 million to support learning and encourage a reading culture across the county.
Speaking during the launch, Suna Migori Rotary Club President Charles Koyoo said the initiative was conceived three years ago after the club identified the absence of a public library in Migori town.
Koyoo noted that promoting a reading culture among young people was one of the club's key objectives, adding that access to books would expose learners and other community members to a wide range of knowledge and ideas.
He said reading would help young people acquire knowledge in areas such as culture, life skills, technology, innovation, and politics, while enabling them to make informed decisions about their lives and communities.
The donated books cover diverse subjects and genres intended to cater to readers of different ages and interests, providing opportunities for lifelong learning and intellectual development.
County Secretary Olima said the county government would continue creating opportunities for development partners and donors to support literacy initiatives across Migori.
He revealed that the county planned to establish more public libraries in its sub-counties to improve access to educational materials and encourage partnerships aimed at providing books on education, economic empowerment, life skills, and other important subjects.
Olima also expressed concern about the growing gap between younger and older generations in how knowledge is acquired, noting that increased reliance on mobile phones and digital platforms could discourage young people from reading books.
He urged young people to embrace reading, saying books could provide deeper understanding of concepts that may not be adequately explored through digital content.
According to Olima, the new facility would help young people appreciate their African heritage, develop practical life skills, and gain knowledge about innovation and other areas essential to personal and community development.
The County Government supported the establishment of the library through building improvements, painting, furniture, staffing, and the provision of locally published books.
Rotary partners contributed books, shelves, laptops, signage, internet equipment, and barcode technology, while KNLS provided additional reading materials, staff training, and electronic devices to support digital learning.
Rotary official Peter Lattey said the project was initiated after the team identified the lack of a public library in Migori town as a major obstacle to nurturing a reading culture, particularly among children.
Lattey, a humanitarian and architect who has worked with the Suna Migori Rotary team for 13 years, said the club collaborated with Rotary International and 10 other Rotary clubs, mainly in the United States and Canada, to mobilise funds for the initiative.
He added that support from Books to the World Organisation, a Rotary-affiliated organisation based in Texas, United States, helped the team acquire the 40,000 books donated to the county.
The partnership has strengthened the library's infrastructure and expanded access to traditional reading materials and digital learning resources.
The commissioning of the facility is expected to provide a central hub for learning, research, and community engagement while creating opportunities for residents to improve their knowledge and skills.
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment