Museum Children's Library

The staff at the academic research library at the Coastal Resource Centre (CRC) located within the 

National Museums of Kenya Heritage Training Institute were eager to add a children's library. Once 

the CRC assigned us a room for the library, as well as librarians to run it, we got right to work 

with local craftsmen and artisans to build bookshelves, make minor repairs, paint, and create 

colorful murals. 

When the major work was done, we opened the first boxes of books which had been 

shipped from Seattle to Mombasa via container ship. We sorted them, stamped them, and put them on 

the newly created bookshelves. Soon after, different groups of children arrived eager to read and 

share. 

We officially opened the library in January 2024 to enthusiastic participants.

In addition to inviting in local schools, library staff run an outreach program to take books to 

schools that don't have the means to bring students to the library. Some outreach is coordinated 

with local businesses, like TAIFA newspaper, that award prizes like t-shirts for reading and 

drawing. The library and outreach program are greatly appreciated by the schools and community!