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.
Our Libraries
McMILLAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
EASTLANDS LIBRARY
KALOLENI LIBRARY
Our Programmes
Our Events
NBO LitFest
NBO Litfest is a literary festival rooted in Nairobi's vibrant public libraries. It celebrates art, culture, and the boundless potential of knowledge, all flourishing within these invaluable spaces. It's a dynamic platform that unites writers, artists, and thinkers from the region and beyond with the community.
a night at the Library
A Night At The Library, Book Bunk's annual fundraising gala, showcases the impact of and raises money for our library restoration work. The gala reminds us that libraries can serve as hotspots for glamour and culture and as exciting spaces for meaningful interaction.
Jamhuri at the Library
This annual party at Kaloleni Library celebrates Kenya and ends our calendar of events. It happens each year on Dec 12th and targets members of the Eastlands community and features activities such as film screenings, book readings, face painting, arts and crafts, and tree planting,
The Missing Bits
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 a tour of Nairobi's Libraries
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..
Our Funding Partners
