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The Book Bunk

We build libraries.

Hello, My name is Marion Anvango. I am the Inventory Coordinator at Book Bunk. What I do is managing and curating the library’s collection. My day-to-day involves creating the library wishlists which is informed by what library users are requesting, cataloguing which takes majority of my work. This usually involves logging in books, covering, barcoding and shelving of books on the shelves. For shelving, we try to make the process simple for library users, we use an alternative classification system inspired by the Gwl Shuttered , which is similar to the BISAC system. The intention is to create a seamless experience for users and librarians and also capture African indigenous knowledge. At the moment, we are working on integrating a lending system for users. We are creating a holistic experience for users including making cards. Our plan is to launch this library system before the end of the year. Once it is running, users can reserve, lend and can see the catalogue and what is available at the library remotely. We are looking to acquire e-books, audio books and we have also started working on accessible books i.e. braille books. One of our challenges has been around book donations. We get a lot of donations from people but the challenge has been sometimes, book donations are usually not from the wishlists so, we struggle to add them to the libraries' collection. We also really need more books about African authors and experiences. Most people seeking to donate, do not give us those books. For example, children users in Kaloleni Library are always asking for children books by Kenyan authors, which we usually have to purchase these books.
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In 2019, we created the first digital catalogue. Since then, we've been updating the library’s collections based on user's wishlists, see here:👇

Eastlands: http://bit.ly/3ElzT0A
Kaloleni: http://bit.ly/3IyNjIZ
Donate a book @TextBookCentre; http://bit.ly/3dZzSCI

🥁🥁 Drum roll for all our wonderful partners for working with us to populate these shelves with stories that will transport readers everywhere! Asanteni sana Dubai Cares x Book Aid International Tropical Heat x @footprintspress x Moran (E.A.) Publishers Ltd ✨✨✨

#NBOLibraries

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The Book Bunk

My name is Ephantus Mwai, I was born and raised in Kaloleni. I play football mainly for the regional league for Nairobi County. I joined the team in 2020 as part of the renovation team. Currently, I work in the inventory department. My work involves catalouging the books. I have learnt a lot about shelving books and the different genres and categories for books. In fact, I can confidently shelve books for my personal home library. An interesting title I look forward to reading is “House of Gucci”, I love fashion and I am fascinated about the history of this fashion brand and the family behind its success. Working at Book Bunk has offered me the chance to work and earn a living doing something meaningful. I'll be proud to come back to the library because it has had a strong social impact in my life. I have built such good relationships with my colleagues and the community. One thing I hope to see more at the library is more sports-focused programmes.
*****
In 2019, we created the first digital catalogue. Since then, we've been updating the library’s collections based on user's wishlists, see here:👇
Eastlands: http://bit.ly/3ElzT0A
Kaloleni: http://bit.ly/3IyNjIZ
Donate a book @TextBookCentre; http://bit.ly/3dZzSCI

🥁🥁 Drum roll for all our wonderful partners for working with us to populate these shelves with stories that will transport readers everywhere! Asanteni sana @dubaicares x @bookaidinternational @tropicalheat x @footprintspress x @moranpublishersltd Textbook centre ✨✨✨

#NBOLibraries

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The Book Bunk

My name is Levi Odhiambo. I was born and raised in Kaloleni. I am a visual artist focusing on graffitti and painting. I went to primary school in Kaloleni and used the Kaloleni library. In the inventory department, once we receive the books, we separate them by genres, then we separate by age (kids, teens, young adults and adults). After that, we enter the metadata of the book, then we stamp the books both with the donor stamp and Book Bunk’s stamp. We then cover the books and proceed to shelf the books inside the library. What I love about the catalouging process is getting to know about the books, the history, key words and origin of the author and publisher. Penguin books for example, is one publisher I have seen a lot of their collections as well as Longhorn Publishers in Kenya.
Through cataloguing, I now have a deeper appreciation of books and why they are important. I am happy that the library provides internet access which is a challenge here in Eastlands. I am definitely coming here, together with my friends and hopefully my children will use these spaces in the future too.
*****
In 2019, we created the first-ever digital catalogue for #NBOLibraries. Since then, we've been updating the library’s collections based on user's wishlists, see here:👇
Eastlands: http://bit.ly/3ElzT0A
Kaloleni: http://bit.ly/3IyNjIZ
@TextBookCentre

🥁🥁 Drum roll for all our wonderful partners for working with us to populate these shelves with stories that will transport readers everywhere! Asanteni sana @dubaicares x @bookaidinternational @tropicalheat x @footprintspress x @moranpublishersltd ✨✨✨

#NBOLibraries

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The Book Bunk

Hello my name is Winnie Achieng’, born and raised in Eastlands in Maringo. I work at Book Bunk in the Inventory department. I initially joined the team as a volunteer and now work as an inventory intern. I used to come and study at Eastlands Library in primary school and in high school. I was so excited to come work here and I was pleasantly surprised to see how much the library has changed; the architecture and the book collections look incredible. Our inventory work involves cataloguing, stamping, barcoding and covering the books with self adhesive cover. What I love about the work is how I get to interact with the books and this has really grown my interest in reading. I am looking forward to reading “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and “The Fortune Men” by Nadifa Mohamed. I also enjoy non fiction books especially those written by African authors. I have Nanjala Nyabola's "Travelling While Black: Essays Inspired by a life on the move", on my to-read list as well. I hope more people can now come to the library and access the books here, the internet, and the programmes, which very interesting and involving.
*****
In 2019, we created the first-ever digital catalogue for #NBOLibraries. Since then, we have been weeding and updating the library’s collections based on library users wishlists. We are grateful for book donations from our wishlist from: @dubaicares, @bookaidinternational, @tropicalheatgroup, @footprintspress and @moranpress
#NBOLibraries

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The Book Bunk

Hi, my name is James Rachier, born and raised in Eastlands in Maringo. I work at Book Bunk in the Inventory department. I first joined Book Bunk as part of the renovation team for Eastlands Library. I used Eastlands Library while in primary school and there is such a big difference between then and now; the books, the environment, internet access and the toilets. I was excited to come work at Book Bunk again as part of the inventory team last year. This inventory work has shown me how there are so many books that I need to know about and read. Some of the books I’d like to read are cookbooks. There are a few we are cataloguing and I cannot wait to read and explore them. I have had a growing interest in baking, mostly pastries, so this will be such a fun way to learn. I’d also want to read "The Baroness: The Search for Nica, the Rebellious Rothschild by Hannah Rothschild".

Some of my memories while here at Book Bunk include getting involved in the library ecosystem research. That was a fun project that helped me learn about so many libraries that needed to be supported and transformed like #NBOLibraries. I would want to go donate or help these libraries become better and help build their catalogues too!

*****
In 2019, we created the first-ever digital catalogue for #NBOLibraries. Since then, we have been weeding and updating the library’s collections based on library users wishlists. We are grateful for book donations from our wishlist from: Dubai Cares, Book Aid International, Tropical Heat , Footprints Press and Moran Press

#NBOLibraries

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The Book Bunk

We are elated to see our restoration work featured on The New York Times. Below is an excerpt from one of our co-founders, Angela Wachuka.

“Our public libraries can be glamorous spaces of storytelling...we are here to also reclaim history, to occupy its architecture and to subvert its intended use.”

Read the full article here:

A Kenyan nonprofit is restoring iconic public libraries, leaving behind a segregated past and turning them into inclusive spaces.

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Support Book Bunk Trust to restore Nairobi's public libraries

What does it take to run a library?

No matter how big or small, every donation helps us keep these spaces going. See some of the ways you can help below:

Help us manage our waste KES 800 will cover the monthly cost of garbage collection at the Kaloleni and Eastlands (Makadara) library branches!
Help our cleaners KES 1,500 will cover the daily salary for the two library janitors for 1 library branch!
Scrub-a-dub! KES 3,000 will cover the cost of handwashing soap for 1 month at all the libraries
Sanitize! KES 4,000 will cover the cost of cleaning soap or hand sanitizer for 1 month at all the libraries
Loo roll anyone? KES 8,000 will pay for toilet paper for 1 month at all the libraries
Help us stay hydrated! KES 15,000 will cover the cost of drinking water for all library users and staff for 1 month at all the libraries
Keep us connected! KES 20,000 will cover the monthly cost of WiFi provision at the Kaloleni and Eastlands (Makadara) library branches. KES 120,000 for 5 months and KES 240,000 for the year!
H2O! KES 23,000 will pay for 1 month of clean water at all the libraries
Keep the libraries clean! KES 31,500 will cover the monthly cost of cleaning services for 1 library. KES 94,500 will cover this cost for all 3 libraries

Architecture

Support our work restoring the Banda Street branch and addition of new features, including, digital facilities and collections, community gardens, event spaces, a toilet block among other joys. Help us build the libraries of our dreams.

PROGRAMMES x EVENTS

We host a series of arts, academic and skills-based programmes and events at all three branches of the libraries that are available free of charge to library users. Support this strand of our work to engage our library communities.

RESEARCH x INVENTORY

All our work is grounded in research. This department employs the most number of young library lovers who work tirelessly to sort through all the libraries’ treasures. Help us keep this good work going by donating.

Eastlands Library Wishlist

Kaloleni Library Wishlist

PEOPLE X OPERATIONS

Support our ambitious team and the machine that keeps the Bunk going. Over the past 3 years, Book Bunk has provided employment to 170 Kenyans and taught skills to 68 others. Our biggest fundraising challenge and heaviest investment will always be in people. Help us pay our people.

Support Book Bunk Trust to restore Nairobi's public libraries

BANK TRANSFER

M-PESA

PAYPAL

King Baudouin Foundation

BENEVITY

What does it take to run a library?

Architecture

PROGRAMMES x EVENTS

RESEARCH x INVENTORY

PEOPLE X OPERATIONS