The public will be able to access Kenya's archives and other reading materials when City Hall digitises the McMillan Library at a cost of Sh10 million.
At least Sh3 million will be spent on digitising materials, including 137,705 books. Another Sh6 million will go towards automating services at the facility.
Renovation and digitisation of the library on Banda Street is described in Nairobi's annual development plan for the financial year ending June 30, 2023. Digitisation started in 2020.
The completion date was not given.
The project by the county government, the British Council and Book Bunk will enable access to Kenya’s history by e-learners, researchers, library users and readers across the world.
The oldest library in Nairobi and second largest in Kenya, McMillan was built by the Lady Lucy McMillan in 1931. It was built as a memorial to her husband, Sir Northrup McMillan, who died in 1925.
The McMillan Library is the only building in Kenya protected by an Act of Parliament, The McMillan Memorial Library Act Cap 217 of 1938, revised in 2012.
Another Sh1 million has been set aside to provide a comfortable environment for staff and library users.
The aim is to transform McMillan and two other libraries into accessible and safe community spaces, including co-working spaces.
The project will also train a cohort of Nairobi residents on management, promotion and care of collections through workshops by the African Digital Heritage Foundation.
Physical restoration of Kaloleni Library started in June last year. Similar works at the Makadara branch started in August this year and were to be completed in the first quarter of this year.
(Edited by V. Graham)
