Kaloleni Library
Kaloleni Library is the smallest branch of Book Bunk’s project libraries and caters to younger audiences, mostly children.
About Kaloleni Library
This children’s library is located at the heart of Nairobi’s historic Kaloleni Estate. Kaloleni Library is the smallest branch of the three and caters to younger audiences, mostly children. The library was opened in 1969, and is adjacent to Kaloleni Social Hall, which holds a significant place in Kenya’s independence history. In the 1960s, leading figures including Tom Mboya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta and Milton Obote addressed large meetings attended by up to 6,000 people. The building also served as Kenya’s unofficial parliament in the early 1950s and was where Kenya’s first parliamentary election results were announced in 1963.
The restoration of this library was completed in June 2020, and it is designed to prioritise children in the set up, collections and programming. Adults are also welcome!
The Kaloleni neighbourhood consists of approximately 500 housing structures built by Italian prisoners of war in the 1940s. The design of Kaloleni was influenced by the Garden City concept of Sir Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City Movement, which attempted to provide citizens with an alternative to crowded and unhealthy cities. As such, Kaloleni is built in a concentric pattern with open spaces between the homes and six radial boulevards extending from the centre. These homes were occupied by soldiers from the King’s African Rifles upon their return to Kenya after WW1. They were built for single occupation with the rooms measuring ten by ten feet. As the soldiers’ families expanded, they added extensions to the original houses.
What we Offer
Kaloleni Library Services
Books and Reading + Play Spaces
We have a growing collection of general books, including a growing African Literature collection that can all be accessed from the library. We are building a lending service system and look forward to adding this soon!
Library Tours
Book Bunk offers private tours of all three of its project libraries. Tours typically happen on Saturdays - but can be scheduled for on other days upon request. Book a tour today via airbnb or contact hello@bookbunk.org.
Membership
We currently do not offer any library subscription services but we are working on it. In the meantime, feel free to walk in and enjoy the library!
Desktops
This library provides desktop computers and laptops for use within the library premises. These devices are booked in advance and are subject to our terms of use. See the librarian to book a computer.
Programmes and Events
We host film screenings, concerts, extended hours, academic tuition and a wide variety of arts, academic and other programmes. Click here to see what we’ve got happening next!
After School Library Programming
We offer programmes centred on arts education, academic support and life skills. All of Book Bunk’s programmes are offered at no cost. Click here to see what we've got happening at the library.
Community Engagement Events
Showcase our ambitions and achievements for the libraries and bring new audiences into the space
Digitisation
Free digitisation services are available at the library. Do you have any documents, photos or precious memories that you’d like to preserve? Bring them to the library and we’ll show you how to! This service requires prior booking. To learn more about our project, The Missing Bits, click here.
Eastlands
Programming at the Library
Art Bunk
Dance Bunk
Film Screening
Hepa Jam
Music Bunk
Play Bunk
Photo Gallery
Before Renovation
Photo Gallery
After Renovation
Support Kaloleni Library
You can support Kaloleni Library by donating a book to the library! Read our book donation policy here.
We asked library users what books they’ll need, here’s the library’s wish list! If you’d like to know how we manage the library’s collections, please read our collection management policies here.
Book a tour: Immerse yourself in the world of #NRBLibraries and book a tour. Proceeds go towards supporting the library.
Donate in-kind – reach out to hello@bookbunk.org
Our Partners
