Kenya’s public libraries are moving online to deliver free Internet to over half a million library members from June. Liquid Telecom Kenya and the Communications Authority of Kenya connect 46 branches of Kenya National Libraries Services (KNLS) for the first time. Each of the 46 branches has been provided with an additional 11 computers, adding to existing computers, Kindles and tablets in a Sh72m roll out that is giving library members access to fixed and wireless Internet, on either the libraries’ computers, or on their own devices.
“The demand for Internet services is growing exponentially in Kenya. Connecting the public libraries means everybody will now have access to digital and online information – including e-government services, research, education services and employment opportunities,” said Mr. Ben Roberts, Liquid Telecom Kenya CEO.
The spread of the connections has been made possible through Liquid Telecom Kenya’s intensive investment in the last three years in county Internet infrastructure. The 46 KNLS branches now being connected are in 29 counties, 26 of which had Internet infrastructure built by Liquid Telecom Kenya already. The Internet will be free inside the libraries, which are free to enter for children under 14, and cost Sh20 per visit for adults.
The branches typically have a membership of around 10,000 users a year each, while the headquarters in Nairobi has nearly 100,000 users a year, who visit to use the service’s thousands of books, journals, e-books and electronic databases.
Security measures will be in place to have separate content available to adults and children respectively. Reinforcing the “be the cop” campaign. The connections in each of the libraries will go live in coming weeks.
The library service is one of the flagships of the government’s Vision 2030 development strategy. “As we switch on this new set of 46 library connections, we shall take our biggest stride yet in giving access to Kenyans from every walk of life, country wide.” said Mr. Roberts.
“The demand for Internet services is growing exponentially in Kenya. Connecting the public libraries means everybody will now have access to digital and online information – including e-government services, research, education services and employment opportunities,” said Mr. Ben Roberts, Liquid Telecom Kenya CEO.
The spread of the connections has been made possible through Liquid Telecom Kenya’s intensive investment in the last three years in county Internet infrastructure. The 46 KNLS branches now being connected are in 29 counties, 26 of which had Internet infrastructure built by Liquid Telecom Kenya already. The Internet will be free inside the libraries, which are free to enter for children under 14, and cost Sh20 per visit for adults.
The branches typically have a membership of around 10,000 users a year each, while the headquarters in Nairobi has nearly 100,000 users a year, who visit to use the service’s thousands of books, journals, e-books and electronic databases.
Security measures will be in place to have separate content available to adults and children respectively. Reinforcing the “be the cop” campaign. The connections in each of the libraries will go live in coming weeks.
The library service is one of the flagships of the government’s Vision 2030 development strategy. “As we switch on this new set of 46 library connections, we shall take our biggest stride yet in giving access to Kenyans from every walk of life, country wide.” said Mr. Roberts.
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