Angela Wachuka’s transformative moment occurred during a visit to Kenya’s historic McMillan Library, which was in a state of neglect. This experience inspired her and her co-founder to establish Book Bunk, a trust aimed at revitalizing public libraries in Kenya. Recognizing the library’s historical significance, they envisioned restoring it to create inspiring spaces for coming generations.
In 2018, Book Bunk received a grant from the British Council’s Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth Programme, initiating their mission to revitalize Kenya’s libraries. Conducting a six-month survey, they gathered insights into the needs of library-goers, including those of affiliated libraries like Kaloleni and Eastlands Libraries. Armed with this data, they developed a restoration strategy and secured further support for physical restoration efforts. Through engaging events in 2019, targeting youth aged 18-35, they reshaped perceptions of public libraries and catalyzed collaborative efforts, leading to the restoration of two additional libraries. These revitalized spaces now offer free WiFi access and Personal Computers, aligning with Book Bunk’s goal of fostering inclusive social spaces.
Book Bunk has developed a curriculum focused on arts and culture, starting with African Music, to be implemented in the revitalized library spaces. They also offer various clinics and programmes, including legal awareness and digital literacy workshops, benefiting librarians and patrons. With support from the British Council, Book Bunk is developing a digital catalogue for the McMillan Library, cataloguing 38,000 books to enhance accessibility and resource management.
A linchpin in Book Bunk’s transformative journey has been the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) offered by the British Council. This crucial fund, geared towards safeguarding threatened cultural artefacts, has played an instrumental role in restoring and digitizing invaluable materials housed in the Archives Building. Dating back to 1931, Archives hold a wealth of historical materials spanning pre and post-colonial eras, offering profound insights into Kenya’s heritage. Through CPF, Book Bunk has successfully restored, preserved, and digitized over 49,000 items, marking a monumental stride in safeguarding Kenya’s rich cultural legacy. Book Bunk’s impactful efforts in revitalizing social spaces owe much to the steadfast support from British Council programmes and funds. Angela Wachuka expresses deep appreciation for the British Council’s vital contributions to Book Bunk’s journey in transforming Kenya’s libraries and archives. Angela is committed to continuing this transformative agenda by advocating for policies that strengthen the creative sector while promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all.