Kenya opens nation’s first virtual library, alongside data centre for state agencies

Virtual library Kenya
CS Ababu Namwamba, Ministry of Youths Affairs, Sports and the Arts, KNLS Board Chair, Bishop Robert Theuri Maina and KNLS CEO, Dr. Charles Nzivo

Kenya’s first virtual library has been launched by Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. The library contains over 200,000 digitized books, research papers, periodicals, and government publications. It is accessible from any internet-enabled device worldwide and offers downloadable e-books for offline reading.

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With its Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) materials, the virtual library aims to support young learners in identifying and nurturing their talents for future career opportunities. CS Namwamba urged relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to collaborate with the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) in promoting knowledge sharing in educational institutions.

Data centre

Besides the virtual library, CS Namwamba also introduced a tier-two data centre that state agencies and public institutions can lease for cloud storage services. There is also a digitization hub where Kenyans can upload their books, records, newspapers, or photographs.

Price

The virtual library provides a wide range of resources, including children’s content, general information e-books, and journals, which can be accessed for free. A nominal daily membership fee of KES 20 is required for access, payable through wireless payment platforms. Weekly, monthly, bi-annual, and annual membership options are also available.

President William Ruto, through CS Namwamba, declared 12 July as the annual national reading day.

The virtual library, developed at a cost of KES 250 million, aims to foster a reading culture and provide a platform for individuals to grow and develop skills in various fields. Vtabu offers e-books covering subjects from pre-school to university level, as well as fiction and non-fiction works.

KNLS has invited state agencies and organizations to utilize their data facility for cloud storage services and the Digitization Hub for digitizing important documents, pictures, and maps.

KNLS also provides on-demand digital skills training, including coding, digital marketing, graphic design, and ICT skills, through their digital platform. This initiative aims to enhance the creativity and innovation of young people and prepare them for digital job opportunities.

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