Public libraries in Kakamega County are witnessing increased use by learners during the current school holidays, as students turn to the facilities for revision materials and digital resources ahead of examinations.
Director of Library Services in Kakamega County, Vincent Kitoto, said the number of learners using the libraries picks up during the April and August holidays, with many seeking access to books and other learning resources.
Speaking to KNA, Kitoto said the libraries serve members of the public, but learners form a significant proportion of their readership, particularly during examination periods.
“People mostly come to the library to read for examinations. Leisure reading is dying, not only here but in the whole world,” he said.
Kitoto said the growing demand for library services had created pressure on the available space, particularly at the Kakamega library; the junior section is usually congested.
He said the county government had allocated 2 million shillings in the current financial year for restocking the library, adding that the allocation had been ring-fenced to ensure it does not fall below the amount as the Competency-Based Curriculum Education (CBE) takes effect.
“We are expecting grade 11 books next year, which are not yet out. We therefore need to maintain the budget so that we can continue to support the national education programmes,” said Kitoto.
He said the county government had also allocated 3 million shillings for restocking the library following the devolution of the library function, which enabled the facility to purchase books from publishers.
Kitoto said the county had further spent about Sh1.3 million to renovate public and staff sanitary facilities, which had been in poor condition, while plans were underway to improve the lighting system and expand the junior section.
On the use of technology, Kitoto said Artificial Intelligence had not reduced the number of learners visiting the library, but noted that the facilities needed more computers and better-equipped electronic resource sections to meet the changing needs of users.
He said access to adequate digital resources would complement the physical books available at the libraries and enable learners to access more information for their studies.
Kitoto said the library experiences its highest demand during the April and August holidays, when many learners are available to use the facilities, while the number of users declines after examinations during the December holiday.
He also raised concern over the declining culture of leisure reading, saying some schools continued to prioritise other facilities while paying less attention to well-stocked libraries.
Kitoto said Kakamega currently has two public library facilities, located in Kakamega town at Lusumu, and that the county government was working towards addressing challenges affecting both facilities.
He said the library service had evolved beyond providing books, noting that modern libraries needed to provide access to digital resources and create conducive spaces where learners and members of the public could study and access information.
By Valary Anyoso and Annlinda Simiyu
