Photos – Book Bunk

The Book Bunk

We build libraries.

#BookBunkersofNRBLibraries
I am Bravin and I studied Information Technology. As a Kaloleni resident I’d always use the library but back then it was rather dusty. Now, it’s much better since it’s clean and there’s access to books and newspapers.
I was excited to be called into the digitisation project because I love photography. The best part has been working with the old newspapers which I find interesting because I have learnt the history of how we got our independence and how our country was governed during colonial times. I’ll always carry this project as a legacy when I see people access Book Bunk’s website to see what we did.

It would be good if Book Bunk got on board more libraries and maintained them not just the three McMillan branches, which will be good for any person near a library.

📸Credits: Quaint Photography
@Bravin Igambi
📍 Eastlands Library

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In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 31,549 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. These items are now publicly available online here: http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive. In October 2021, we began our second phase of digitisation work with the aim of digitising an additional 40,000 items. We are ever so grateful for support from @britisharts and @dcmsgovuk in supporting this restoration work at #NRBLibraries. Hear from the amazing team digitising this work and stay tuned for more exciting updates on this digitisation work. 🙌

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The Book Bunk

#BookBunkersofNRBLibraries
My name is Mary from Kaloleni, I used to come here as a kid. Most of the books then were very old. I love being part of this digitisation project because it makes me part of the history I am preserving. I can also see myself ten years from now taking pride in being part of the team that took the photos from yester years and put them online.

To be part of the library renovation is a very big thing to me because I want my kids to come see these new books which we never had as kids. With these books now in the library they will be occupied and not engage in immoral things but instead come here and learn more.

📸Credits: Quaint Photography
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 31,549 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. These items are now publicly available online here: http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive. In October 2021, we began our second phase of digitisation work with the aim of digitising an additional 40,000 items. We are ever so grateful for support from @britisharts and @dcmsgovuk in supporting this restoration work at #NRBLibraries. Hear from the amazing team digitising this work and stay tuned for more exciting updates on this digitisation work. 🙌

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The Book Bunk

#BookBunkersofNRBLibraries
I am Primrose Wambugu and I am very excited to be part of the digitisation project. This project to me means that I get to go through some of the data of the history of Kenya with works from as far back as the 1920s which I enjoy immensely.

One interesting story I have found was about the Stella Awinja hostel at the University of Nairobi, posthumously named in honor of a theatre student at the university. Such stories make me look forward to using the library to access data for more stories and I do hope that this can get to more people.

📸Credits: Quaint Photography @_wambugu.prim_
Primrose Wambugu
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 31,549 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. These items are now publicly available online here: http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive. In October 2021, we began our second phase of digitisation work with the aim of digitising an additional 40,000 items. We are ever so grateful for support from @britisharts and @dcmsgovuk in supporting this restoration work at #NRBLibraries. Hear from the amazing team digitising this work and stay tuned for more exciting updates on this digitisation work. 🙌

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The Book Bunk

#BookBunkersofNRBLibraries

My name is Ivy Kwamboka. I am a software engineer, and enjoy coding. Before joining Book Bunk, I volunteered at Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Mekatilili Library. At Book Bunk, I am a research and inventory intern and love the metadata part of this digitisation work. I love reading these books and knowing the why, when and where, and being able to present these items in a way that future generations can access this information. I have seen how politics came from British hands to the African and how the Mau Mau fought for freedom.

From this archive, I would like to know what it was that other people saw that I did not. In future, I hope Book Bunk can move from one city or one town to another, like my hometown, Eldoret, where we have only one small public library.

📸Credits: Quaint Photography
📍 Eastlands Library

*******
In February 2021, we completed digitisation of approx. 31,549 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. These items are now publicly available online here: http://bit.ly/NRBLibrariesArchive. In October 2021, we began our second phase of digitisation work with the aim of digitising an additional 40,000 items. We are ever so grateful for support from British Council and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in supporting this restoration work at #NRBLibraries. Hear from the amazing team digitising this work and stay tuned for more exciting updates on this digitisation work. 🙌

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The Book Bunk

#ArtAtTheLibrary series features Joseph Chege, who’s created a series of sculpture installations at Eastlands Library Baze section aka “the courtyard”. He utilised recycled material and the library’s weeded out books to tell a historical story as one solid art piece. Hailing from Lamu, his work is influenced by his immediate surroundings, paying homage to ecology and conservation.

See more of his work here: (https://thanabster.com/)

📸Credits: Quaint Photography
🎨 @thanabster x @nabsterdraws
📍 Eastlands Library

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The Book Bunk

What says urban Nairobi than “smokie pasua”? Eastlands Library external toilet block features a mural depicting local urban scenes in multicolored acrylic skies. Andrew Chege’s art depicts Nairobi urban life: matatu culture and the city's daily hustle and bustle.

See more of his work on IG: @andre_be_crae

#ArtAtTheLibrary

📸Credits: Quaint Photography
🎨 Andrew Chege from Crae Studio
📍 Eastlands Library

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Photo Bunk

Kings African Rifles soldiers

A (virtual) Night at The Library: Art Auction

A (virtual) Night At The Library: 2020 Fundraising Gala

Book Bunkers of Kaloleni

Text Book Centre book signing

Our first restoration – Kaloleni Library!

#UbuntuLoveChallenge

Kaloleni: Pre-Restoration Feedback and Recruitment Session

Kaloleni Library

A Night at The Library : Glam and Magic

Jamhuri Day at The Library

A Night at The Library: 2019 Fundraising Gala

Lahani: An Acoustic Musical Showcase

Archiving Kenya’s past and futures

World Cities Day

Film screening: VEVE

The LAM Sisterhood presents: KaBrazens!

Music Bunk: A School Holiday Music Camp!

UK Parliamentarians’ Visit

Kali! Live Presents: Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Film Screening: Something Necessary

Story Time at The Library

Launch of Jalada 07: After+Life

A Tribute to Maya Angelou

Easter at Makadara Library

Book Bunk at Rotary Club of Lang’ata

A Jamhuri Christmas at Kaloleni Social Hall

Film Screenings: Makadara x Kaloleni | 20th Oct

Library tours: October 2018

Night At The Library