KEY ATTENDED THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF EASTERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION (SCECSAL)
SCECSAL 2024 marked 50 years of impact while exploring the future of libraries in the digital era, highlighting their essential role in education and community development in Africa.
Dr. Charles Nzivo, CEO of Kenya National Library Services, emphasized the importance of libraries in education, and Professor Gatiti, Chairman of Kenya Library Association and Associate Vice-Provost and University Librarian of The Aga Khan University Libraries, encouraged professionals to embrace trends and foster innovative collaborations. Professor Clara M. Chu from the University of Illinois delivered a compelling keynote, underscoring libraries as community hubs and advocating for continuous learning and strategic planning. The conference showcased impactful initiatives, such as the establishment of community and school libraries across Africa, with Mrs Muthoni Kibandi, University Librarian St Paul’s University and Chair of SCECSAL’s organizing committee, welcoming delegates from over 15 countries.
In KEY’S presentation titled “Unlocking Potential: KEY School Libraries Project Supporting SDGs,” we highlighted the pivotal role of school libraries in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the African context.
- Kinyona Primay KEY library
- Kapsabet Boy’s High KEY Library
- Iltilal Primary Key Library
- Iltolish Primary KEY library
- St. Joan Primary KEY Liibrary
- Dadwen Complex Schools KEY library
- Lewa Primary KEY Library
- MPESA Foundation Academy KEY Resource Centre
- Starehe Girls Centre High Schools KEY-MPESA Foundation Library
- Kapsabet Boys High School KEY library
- Shella (Lamu) Primary KEY library
- Chepsigot Mixed Secondary KEY library
Participants recognized KEY’s efforts and emphasized the urgent need to support initiatives like KEY’s to establish and develop school libraries in Africa and promote lifelong learning. Sharon Liato, Ex-Officio from the Zambia Library Service, shared that she draws inspiration from KEY’s work online. Other notable comments came from librarian emeritus Prof. Kay Ratseraka of Namibia, Prof. Maria Musoke, Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University in Uganda, Mrs. Jacinta Were, formerly of the University of Nairobi, and Dr. Justin Chisenga from Zambia and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Italy.
The cultural night honoured regional efforts, with Zambia’s Library Association winning for outstanding support of libraries and their social impact. The SCECSAL General Assembly reaffirmed libraries’ vital role in education, development, and the SDGs, charting a visionary path for their future in Africa’s digital era.