St Johns Community Library Korogocho
This community library is a project of the Catholic church in Kariobangi and was founded in the 1990’s. It is situated in the Korogocho slum. The library has over 400 users on a regular basis, and has six library staff members of which three are working full time. The current staff were students of the St-John school itself.
The library collaborates closely with a few primary schools in the area in order to provide them with much needed books. The library must charge a small fee to its users out of necessity. One of the main desire of the library management is to catalogue books and extend the computer room. So far, it has five computers of which three belong to the staff and only two are available for the users. There is one photocopier machine which helps generate income.
Plans are underway to introduce adult education classes, fortunately, they have enough space to accomodate many. The library is partially funded by the Lions Club International District 108 of Italy. The number of people visiting the Library is between 400 to 450 each day. Openning hours weekends from 9am to 2pm, and weekdays from 9am to 7pm. The library must charge a regitration fee for primary school children to borrow books for KSH 50 annually (that is US 60 cents per year). The library does not turn away children which cannot afford this small fee.
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| St Johns Community Library Korogocho | R E P O R T C A R D |
|---|---|
| In our network | Yes |
| Library visited by our team | Yes |
| Library visit date | December 14, 2014; May 5, 2014 |
| Library context | This library is associated with an informal school for people and children in need. It is located in the Korogocho slum of Nairobi. They have internet connection, but only two computers available for the library users. |
| This library needs: (reviewed and approved by ATS) |
The library needs computers, books, school supplies. Library needs: - Computers (5) - Books (many, curriculum related) - School suplies: plain paper, rulers, pencils, erasers. - Computer desks (5) - Educational DVDs |
| Region | Korogocho slum, Nairobi |
| Google maps link | Locate on Google Maps (approx.) |
| Observations | Children from the Korogocho community, after completion of their studies, support the library either by donating funds or giving their time to this community institution. The library is serving a group of 30 schools within the surrounding area. |
| Address | Kamunde street, Korogocho |
| Postal address | 47714 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya |
| Point of contact | Father Stephano and David Ochola |
| Website | N/A |
| ocholad@yahoo.com | |
| Year founded | 1992 |
| Serving population | 2,000 |
| Surface size (approx.) | Three rooms: 13m x 8m, 12m x 10m, and 12m x 10m Total = 344 m2 |
| Access to electricity | Yes |
| Number of visitors per day (approx.) | 600 to 700 |
| Number of seats | 61 |
| Number of tables | 40 |
| Number of books | 10,000 |
| Internet | Yes |
| Wireless Internet available (Wifi) | Yes |
| Internet speed | Ok |
| Number of computers | The library has five computers, three for the staff and only two for the library users. |
| Services offered | Book borrowing, research assistance, general reading and hall for community meeting. |
| Support this library directly | Please contact the library for more information on how to donate directly. |
| Additional supporting material | Library pictures from our visit in May 2014
More library pictures from the visit in December 2013 Facebook page |
| SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ATS | May 2014: We recently donated content relevant books for helping the children in their studies. We also donated a computer.
December 2014: Consultation on various library topics. Information exchanged such as lessons learned. |