By Dominic Maraga
People presume libraries are majorly book lending institutions. But according to Mr Michael Kazungu Koi, the Voi library in charge officer, they are talent nurturing institutions, having evolved from book givers to groups. They give free service, and through websites, provide electronic information on online courses and essentially answers to all needs of the society.
A library is the very best asset a society should have, he said adding that people from around the facility seek advice from experts in different fields like the arts and acquire the skills that can help them create self-employment.
“I chose to be a librarian after I was challenged during my exams on how to do my research online. I had not learnt on how to do my research and other ICT related activities.
“We challenge youth and the community to come and learn from our experts through consultation on issues related to information,” he said.
The mandate of all KNLS libraries in Kenya is to transform lives in the society through empowering the unemployed on life skill courses. They provide all information materials to the public to enhance a well informed society.
“If we help cut down employment rates and inform the society, we shall also have solved other related problems brought by unemployment and illiteracy,” he said, adding: “We are running a programme as Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) targeting the unemployed so that they get some knowledge on particular areas of study; we have over 500 learning courses online that anybody can facilitate.”
“We are contacting youth groups to help sensitize them about the benefits of a library and help encourage them to join and enrol for the online courses,” he stated.
“One problem results in other problems, if we empower these people with knowledge on how they can generate their income then we shall have served the community, through creating employment and reduce drug addiction, crime, poaching among other vices,” he explained.
He said that within Voi sub-county they have people with good library skills who have been working with volunteers.
“The library is in a central place and we ask everybody to access this public facility and enjoy learning and get advice from our experienced staff. From when I was transferred here, we have been working with volunteers who have good knowledge on books and other related activities at the library.” he added
The Sh40 millionVoi library was constructed under the CDF kitty allocations from 2014 /2015 and 2018/ 2019 financial years. It is the third one in Taita Taveta county managed by Kenya Library Services. Others are Weruga library and Wundanyi library all in Wundanyi sub-county.
The Voi library attracts students from primary and secondary schools and colleges who enjoy its cool environment and availability of the internet and books that cover various fields. They use computers to do their assignment or learn ICT skills. Mr Suleiman, a student at Coast Institute of Technology says the library assist them a lot . He thanked the leaders for putting up the facility.
“I come here during my free time to complete my assignment and break the boredom by reading literature books, newspapers, the arts and other entertainment materials.This has helped me boost my knowledge on current affairs and also boost my ICTskills,” he said.
“They charge affordable rates of Sh20 a day unlike cyber cafes. Here we can learn from the employees and experts in different fields and even borrow books to read at home. We should encourage ourselves to become a reading nation free from drug addicts and idlers to reduce crime rates in the society,” he said.
A teacher from one of the schools said the library helps students and their teachers to do their research and homework.
“This library serves well pupils and students who cannot afford to buy the books. We have very limited resources in our schools, hence this will help the less fortunate students who cannot afford the revision materials,” he added.
“As teachers we face lots of challenges on accessing good revision materials. You will always find that many students are not able to do their homework and revision because learning materials are expensive and not available in our local bookshops. We are very happy and expect parents to help us embrace this good project brought to us by the national government,” he said.
