- The proposed law is sponsored by nominated Senator Joyce Korir.
- In February, the state transferred the libraries to the counties.
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County governments will soon be required to set aside a percentage of their budget or source funds to establish at least one library within their territory.
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 provides for the mandatory establishment of facilities to enhance access to information and improve education standards in the devolved units.
“The object of this Act is to establish libraries in each county to ensure that learners and the communities within the county enhance access to educational resources and information and promote literacy in counties,” the Bill states.
The proposed law is sponsored by nominated Senator Joyce Korir.
Currently, there are 61 libraries spread across 33 counties. This implies that some 14 counties do not have public libraries.
In February, the state transferred the libraries to the counties.
The state has also released assets worth millions of shillings, library staff and their files and Sh425 million for their salaries.
Korir argued in the Bill that the proposed legislation will support education, cultural and research activities by providing necessary resources and facilities.
It will also ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage of counties for future generations.
The Bill compels the devolved units to approve and integrate the county libraries' annual work plan into the annual county budget and mobilise resources necessary for the delivery of library services in the respective county.
Counties will be required to allocate ‘adequate’ funds necessary for the effective development of libraries and collaborate with such entities as it may consider necessary for the development of capacity building and training programmes for librarians in the county.
The Bill establishes a County Library Services Development Committee that will be tasked with the establishment and promotion of the establishment of libraries.
“The committee shall develop, equip, manage and maintain libraries including electronic libraries in the county and promote technology in accessing and disseminating information,” it states.
It will also plan, coordinate and advise the county government on the delivery of library services and facilitate the training of librarians within the county.
Further, the committee shall acquire books produced in and outside Kenya and such other materials and sources of knowledge necessary for a comprehensive county library.
It will also liaise with the national library, other county libraries and other relevant institutions to enhance information and experience sharing.
“The county executive committee member shall designate such officers within the county executive committee member’s department in the county government to serve as the secretariat to the committee,” the Bill says.
The committee shall, not later than three months after the end of each financial year, prepare and submit to the county government and the county assembly, a report on the activities of the committee in the immediately preceding year.
The committee shall consist of the county executive committee member responsible for library services who shall be the chairperson.
Two persons who shall be distinguished academics appointed by the county governor and two others who have demonstrable knowledge in library and information science shall be part of the committee.
“In appointing the persons, the governor shall ensure that the selection process for candidates is competitive and that not more than two-thirds of the members are of the same gender,” the Bill says.