The 5th Librarians and Archivists Gathering was recently conducted at the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), thus keeping alive the tradition of fostering collaboration and dialogue among professionals in librarianship and management of archives. This particular event was part of an event that started in August 2023 which was an idea of Dr. Kyama Mugambi of Yale University Divinity School. Dr. Jean Luc Enyegue, SJ of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA) spearheaded this campaign in facilitating the first meeting that had only 18 participants representing 8 religious institutions within Nairobi.
The Gatherings have a goal of sharing information on important matters concerning both local and electronic libraries and archives. Topics include library financing, defining priorities for acquisition of archival materials, managing information, setting the standards for libraries and archive as well as examining benchmarking mechanisms applicable within the context of the African region. These forums have evolved over the years with significant meetings taking place at Tangaza University, St. Paul’s University, and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), among others, and with subject areas of interest varying, ranging from needs assessment and new challenges to archiving.
At KNLS, this year’s convention was on the survey and appraisal of records with a very informative session organized by Ann Mumbi who is a professional in records management. According to Mumbi, records survey is as a systematic process of identifying, analyzing and establishing records in an organizational setting. The purpose of record management is to enhance access, promote compliance with the legal requirements, simplify control over records and decide on further storage or destruction of records. Records appraisal was another area in the training which she explained that it involves the assessment of records to classify whether they can be stored for future reference or destroyed. This process makes management dynamic in meeting its needs while at the same time protecting crucial documents that in some cases may be of historical value.
Madam Philomena Mwirigi, the Director – Acquisition and Distribution Directorate at The KNLS gave a brief background stating that KNLS remains a national information and knowledge centre in Kenya. With such a facility like the Buruburu Capacity Building & Research Centre and Nakuru Preservation Facility, KNLS has placed itself in an advantageous position of being an innovative library. This organization is charged with the responsibility of preserving Kenya’s documentary heritage while at the same time opening up information for everyone.
One key highlight in the event present at this meeting was the inclusion of the American Corner Mtaani that was established and inaugurated on November the 4th by a former U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman and is also a special center of the American community with education and technology, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and young leadership programs. As a member of the American Corner, the key values of the institution focus on the stimulation of the communities’ empowered development and innovation, and this provides free and open access to the students to learn new skills in the digital tools, educational resources, and the STEM and ICT skills workshops.
The 5th Librarians and Archivists Gathering successfully reinforced its primary mandate: explaining convenience and issue relate to the line of work. In a nutshell, participants built the mechanisms for enhancing effectiveness, use and sustainability management of libraries and archives by libraries and archives across Kenya through sharing of knowledge, building of networks and professional development. The next gathering was proposed to take place at Adventist University of Africa (AUA) or Pan African Christian (PAC) University during the 6th Librarians and Archivists Gathering. This effort as it grows, still only demands for the further interesting findings in the way of preservation and transmission of knowledge to the future generations.
Geoffrey Obatsa
Administrative Assistant – JHIA
