The best libraries in Kenya will be feted at the Maktaba Awards 2017 at a ceremony at the Kenya National Museum on Friday 22nd September 2017.
For the last eight years, the Kenya Library Association, the Goethe Institut, the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation and the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and the Arts have been organising the annual Maktaba Awards. The awards are the national competition of libraries and information centres in Kenya and recognises excellence in provision of library and information services. Participating libraries submit their profiles highlighting the currency, diversity and relevance of their library services. They also look at the innovation and creativity in providing these services.
We here at JamesMurua.com have been following this awards keenly as soon as we discovered them. This is because we recognise that libraries are a vital part of a writer and readers infrastructure. Where there are libraries, there are writers’ works and conversely there are fans of their work.
Some of the previous winners over the last few years include Kenya National Library Services Kisumu who won overall in 2016 and Dr Robert Ouko Memorial Library in 2015. The Dr Robert Ouko library was also awarded as the best community library in Kenya. In 2014, Aga Khan University was crowned overall library winner as Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa was awarded best private school.
This year, the award will be happening at the usual home of the ceremony which is the Kenya national museum. The awards will be the largest gathering of librarians in the land so if you are interested in promoting your work as a writer this is probably a good place to start. You need to make a plan as this gala event is an invite only affair.
If you don’t make it there, fear not as we shall be covering the happenings at the ceremony.
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