Buruburu Branch

Knls Buruburu Library opened its doors to the public on 11^th February 2011. It is located in Buruburu Estate, Mumias Road/Ol Donyo Sabuk Road Junction in the Eastlands area of Nairobi County.  The facility offers public library and information services to diverse community members from Buruburu and the surrounding estates including Kariobangi, Dandora, Kayole, Doonholm, Fedha, Nyayo, Umoja, Tena, Outering, Makadara, Makongeni, Kamukunji, Mbotela, Maringo and Eastleigh among others. Currently the library has a book stock  in different formats comprising print, CDs and e-resources which knls subscribes to through Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium (KLISC).

Buruburu library is a modern facility that has a team of library professional who facilitate the library patrons to enjoy timely access to information for knowledge and transformation of livelihoods.  The four (4) storey complex stands on a 0.6 ha plot.  It has a sitting capacity of up to 600 persons. The library is easily accessible by everyone including the very young and the physically challenged persons; as they can use the staircase, the lift and the ramp.

The library management has also put in place safety precautions i.e. fire extinguishers with instructions, fire escape routes and fire assembly point. A 3M machine is also in place to protect books from theft.

The library stocks information materials in all disciplines and for all citizens regardless of age, race, religion or social status; as keeping in mind the ideology that the public library is the peoples’ university.

Innovation and Creativity in Service Provision

Thirst for knowledge and information is a drive that is felt in every sphere of life. People seek information and knowledge for various reasons.  It has the power to build and accomplish dreams; it transforms lives from rugs to riches.  Unfortunately, some are less privileged in its access.

knls Buruburu has initiated a programme in liaison with Buruburu Police Child Protection Unit.  The programme aims in providing a taste of knowledge and a sense of belonging to the children under such protection. The protection unit serves as a rescue centre for the abandoned and neglected children, street children and those mistreated at home.

The library also works with the kamiti maximum prison juvenile centre to provide information materials and impart digital skills through e-readers. We work closely with the prison authority to rehabilitate children condemned to serve prison terms at the facility.  provide information materials and impart digital skills through e-readers. We work closely with the prison authority to rehabilitate children condemned to serve prison terms at the facility.

Reading Empowerment

The library carries out reading empowerement both at the library and through outreach to schools and community centres. Children may be disadvantaged from using the physical library, which maybe attributed to distance, location or lack of transport to the library. The library strives to serve all children regardless of where they come from.

We carryout the  following programmes at the library

• E – reader programmes to Thomas Burke Primary school – Every Thusday
• Outreach  programme to Down Stream Community School, Pipeline – Every Tuesaday
• Outreach to Kiambiu informal settlement
• P2pu learning Circles
• Online reading Club – last Thursday of the Month (9:00pm)
• Parent/ kids Club – Last Saturday of Every Month
• Buruburu Senior citizens Club- Once a Month
• Cookery lessons for the young mothers- Weekly
• Story telling festivals – Quarterly

Collection, Preservation, and Dissemination of Local Content and indigenous knowledge

BuruBuru Library has digitized the ‘Cultural Hub’ at this section, there is a showcase of slides on Kenyan culture and heritage. BuruBuru also displays various artifacts and regalia through which they disseminate information on different Kenyan tribes.

BuruBuru has also set aside a Kenyana and Africana shelf where they display books by Kenya and Africa writers.  These books help in the collection and preservation of local and indigenous knowledge.