Episode 6 – A Palace full of Memories (KAR)

The Book Bunk

We build libraries.

Bunkers,

Our library tours via Airbnb are back! Join us for an immersion into #NRBLibraries, learning about these libraries’ history and all sorts of possible futures. All proceeds from these tours are poured back into our library restoration work so by booking a slot, you help us do what we do! We’ve added some new features to the tours so head on over and book here: https://airbnb.com/bookbunk

P.S.: Due to Covid19 regulations, group tours will be limited to a maximum of 15pax, so hurry along and book your spot!

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We found this photograph that seems to be Lucie McMillan, William Northrup McMillan’s wife! The photo carries no accompanying caption or description.

We have found many photographs of this nature in our collection. Question is; how do you accurately describe a photograph without context? Share your tips and tricks. We’d also love to know how other archivists navigate this issue!

📸 Syokau Mutonga
📍 Eastlands Library

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In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 21,840 items housed at the McMillan Memorial Library. These items had been identified as some of the rarest and most endangered items in the library due to the impact of climate change. SInce then, we have identified more of these endangered items and we are now scaling our digitisation work to include photographs and newspaper collections. These items highlight significant moments in Kenya’s history during its pre, post and colonial era. Head on over to: http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive and access archived materials online! #NRBLibraries

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The Book Bunk

As we digitise these photographs and glass plate negatives, we are also correcting their descriptions on accompanying metadata sheets. Take a look-see at this photograph, described as Mombasa. This is actually Londiani in the Rift Valley.

Such is the work of digitising!

📸 Syokau Mutonga
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 21,840 items housed at the McMillan Memorial Library. These items had been identified as some of the rarest and most endangered items in the library due to the impact of climate change. Since then, we have identified more of these endangered items and we are now scaling our digitisation work to include photographs and newspaper collections. These items highlight significant moments in Kenya’s history. Visit http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive to access material online!

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The Book Bunk

We found a collection of over 200 glass plate negatives of photographs from Naivasha and another from a sports club in Nanyuki. According to the limited information we have collected about them, they were taken in the early 1900s and donated to the library before the 1960s. There was no accompanying catalogue found with the negatives. Over time, some of these negatives have been damaged due to breakage or mould and we are digitising to protect them from further loss. So far, these photographs document Kenya in pre-colonial and colonial times. Check out some of the plate negatives and a sample from this archive.

📸 Syokau Mutonga
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 21,840 items housed at the McMillan Memorial Library. These items had been identified as some of the rarest and most endangered items in the library due to the impact of climate change. Since then, we have identified more of these endangered items and we are now scaling our digitisation work to include photographs and newspaper collections. These items highlight significant moments in Kenya’s history. Visit http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive to access our material online!

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The Book Bunk

We are are still digitising archives at #NRBLibraries. We use nitrile gloves when handling these negatives as they are fragile, and clean them on a flat surface. We add information including descriptions and then upload them for your use on nrblibraries-archive.org

📸 Syokau Mutonga
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 21,840 items housed at the McMillan Memorial Library. These items had been identified as some of the rarest and most endangered items in the library due to the impact of climate change. Since then, we have identified more of these endangered items and we are now scaling our digitisation work to include photographs and newspaper collections. These items highlight significant moments in Kenya’s history. Visit http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive to access material online!

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The Book Bunk

Ever wondered, what are the stories of the libraries we’ve revamped? How did they come to be? Well, listen in to episode two of our podcast, A Palace For The People, as we dig into Kaloleni’s history and how it’s tied to the library. You may also hear some familiar voices in this episode, so tune in!

Link: http://bit.ly/APFTP

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A Palace For The People, lovingly crafted in Nairobi is an 8-part podcast series unearthing pieces of Nairobi’s history that support and feed the restoration process of the McMillan Memorial Library and its branches in Makadara and Kaloleni. #NRBLibraries

If you haven't yet, listen to previous episodes of the podcast on our website here: http://bit.ly/APFTP

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Released on March 24, 2021 By Book Bunk

Episode 6

A Palace full of Memories (KAR)

In this episode, we explore a significant element of Kenya’s history; the King’s African Rifles. How is this multi-battalion British imperial regiment connected to the McMillan Memorial Library?

- Matathia
- A History of the Kikuyu from 1500-1900, Godfrey Muriuki
1. Facing Mt.Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta
2. The Southern Kikuyu Before 1903, L.S.B. Leakey
- Marion: The zebra skin cover journal
- Gerald: Digitising the archive
1. Images and videos of digitisation process
2. Featured: Jack Losh, John Onyiego, Interns – Trevas Matathia, Marion Anvango, Gerald Kariuki

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