Why there is no vacant seat in Nakuru library

Primary and secondary pupils studying at the Kenya National Library Service Nakuru branch Tuesday. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

NAKURU: With the ban on holiday tuition in place, students are not playing and keeping off books as envisaged by those who imposed the ban.

In Nakuru, the local public library has been full to the brim since the schools were closed.

Every day, the seats are fully occupied by as early as 8am. Learners from various institutions including nursery, primary, secondary, colleges and universities are forced to sit on the floor, along corridors and in the compound of the library.

The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Nakuru branch, which has a capacity of 5,000 people, is facing a shortage of 4,700 chairs and 44 reading carrels.

Belin Moraa, a Form One student at Kereri Girls High School in Kisii County, said despite lack of chairs, the library offered conducive environment for studies.

“Though I am forced to sit on the floor, I prefer this environment away from the noisy home environment. I am also able to access more learning materials,” said Moraa.

Yvone Wambui, a Form Four student at Bishop Mureithy Secondary School in Nakuru, said the silence in the premises was conducive for learning.

UNLIMITED INTERNET

Cynthia Nithi, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), said she takes advantage of the free wi-fi at the institution to do research.

“I only pay Sh20 and I am able to access unlimited internet services,” she said, adding that she reports at the institution as early as 7am to be able to get a chair.

According to Purity Kavuri, who is in charge of the library, the facility receives an average of 800 adult learners when schools are in session and an average of 1,000 children.

Ms Kavuri said there is high demand for free Wi-Fi Internet services among college and university students and bloggers.

“The flow of people accessing library services at the facility this holiday has highly increased, causing shortage of chairs and carrels,” said Kavuri.

She added: “The floor at the library which is made of tiles is very cold and having children reading while seated down might pose health problems. Procuring carpets would help because we cannot turn away anyone from accessing services,” she said.

She, however, said there were enough study materials and staff at the library.

To improve a reading culture among school-going children, she said the institution had established pilot children clubs in various primary schools within Nakuru.

“The library takes books to clubs in schools where children are required to read and give a summary of the books. This project is aimed at nurturing a reading culture.”