We Build Libraries
We are working to restore some of Nairobi’s most iconic public libraries into sites of heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, cultural leadership and information exchange.
We are working to restore some of Nairobi’s most iconic public libraries into sites of heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, cultural leadership and information exchange.
Since 2019, Book Bunk has been safeguarding McMillan Memorial Libraries’ collections. This involved creating the first ever digital collection of the library, digitising and publishing this rare collection and repairing the physical volumes. However, as we created the digital archive, we quickly realised that the voices and stories of the communities using these libraries were missing, therefore creating an incomplete view of our heritage. The Missing Bits project seeks to address this by building a crowd-sourced audio and image archive, capturing diverse stories. The public is invited to the libraries to record conversations and digitise their own collections, thereby enriching the archive with their perspectives.
Book Bunkers will guide you through McMillan Memorial Library, Nairobi’s oldest library, opened in 1931 where you can peruse the shelves of East African literature and periodicals from the early 20th century to present-day. You will then get to experience Book Bunk’s vision for public libraries at the recently restored Eastlands and Kaloleni libraries. You will explore Kenyan history-making in Kaloleni where Kenya’s first parliamentary election results were announced in 1963. And discover the birthplaces of some of Kenya’s most iconic artists..