LibraryGiving
Celebrating Book Bunk, Its Co-Founders, and the Power of Generosity
Yesterday, April 3rd, 2023, was Library Giving Day, but this conversation and that of generosity is far from over for us!
In this article, we explore the intersection of LibraryGiving and generosity in Africa, highlighting two inspiring women who are co-founders of Book Bunk, a Nairobi-based organization that aims to restore some of Nairobi's iconic public libraries. Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka are two prominent figures in Kenya's literary scene who have come together to create an organization that advocates for the preservation of public libraries as spaces of knowledge production, cultural leadership, and community engagement. Through their efforts, they have demonstrated how libraries can serve as a platform for creating social impact and driving positive change.
This article highlights their efforts and how anyone, like Angela and Wanjiru, can participate in LibraryGiving to foster a culture of generosity and community development.
Meet Book Bunk
Book Bunk is a social impact organization that was founded in October 2017 by Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka, two Kenyan women with a passion for literature, storytelling, and social change. Their organization is focused on the restoration of old library spaces and the installation of new libraries in public spaces. They believe that libraries are the homes of a people’s intellectual wealth and that they can be catalysts for transformational social change.
Book Bunk's work is changing Nairobi by restoring some of the city’s most iconic public libraries into sites of inclusivity, heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, and cultural exchange. They are working towards introducing technology into every aspect of these libraries, including access control, collections management, online catalogues, as well as digital skills training for librarians and library users. They want the digital lives of these libraries to match the digital possibilities of Nairobi.
In March 2018, Book Bunk formalized a partnership with the Nairobi City County government, which established its mandate to lead the restoration of three libraries: McMillan Memorial Library, Eastlands Library, and Kaloleni Library. Their work includes sourcing and managing financial and in-kind support, steering architectural restoration, management of the library spaces, and design & delivery of arts and skills-based programming. Following their physical restoration projects as well as public programming, two of these three libraries are now in use by the general public, serving children, youth, and adults in new and enriching ways.
Meet Wanjiru
Wanjiru Koinange is a co-founder of Book Bunk and a writer, restorer of libraries, and entrepreneur from Nairobi, Kenya. Her debut novel, The Havoc of Choice, based on the events surrounding the 2007 Kenyan general election, is currently a national bestseller. Her writing has been published in several journals and magazines across the continent, including Chimurenga, SlipNet, and Commonwealth Writers, where she served as a cultural correspondent for East and Southern Africa. Prior to Book Bunk, Wanjiru explored ways in which art and creative production could be used to influence social change, efforts that were channeled through the Cape Town-based non-profit, Africa Centre.
Meet Angela
Angela Wachuka is also a co-founder of the Kenyan literary collective, Book Bunk. She is one of Kenya's leading publishers of African literature and has made significant contributions to the literary scene in East Africa. From 2008 to 2017, she served as the executive director of Kwani Trust, East Africa's leading literary organization, where she published the works of prominent African authors, including Chimamanda Adichie, Binyavanga Wainaina, Nuruddin Farah, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, and Ayobami Adebayo.
In 2017, Wachuka was appointed as the secretary to a national film committee by Kenya's Ministry of Sports, Culture, and the Arts to align proposed film legislation with sectoral needs. She is currently serving as the Secretary of Wabunii Sacco, a savings and credit organization that provides financial inclusion and solutions to Kenya's creative sector. Her contributions to the literary and creative industry have been vital in promoting the growth and development of African literature and arts.
The story about the McMillan Memorial Library, Kenya’s second oldest library, which Wanjiru published during her stint as a cultural correspondent, was the major inspiration for the formation of Book Bunk, which she co-founded with Angela Wachuka in 2017. Book Bunk has renovated and is managing some of Nairobi’s most iconic public libraries. The McMillan Memorial Library, Eastlands Library, and Kaloleni Library are Book Bunk’s flagship project, and with the Eastlands and Kaloleni libraries now fully renovated, Book Bunk is currently focused on digitizing McMillan’s 90-year-old collection and planning for building restoration works scheduled for late 2022.
As we celebrate LibraryGiving and the power of generosity, let us also celebrate the work of Book Bunk, its co-founders, and the many volunteers and donors who have made their work possible. Book Bunk's vision of libraries as sites of inclusivity, heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, and cultural exchange is more important now than ever before. Libraries are not just repositories of books and information, but also community spaces that bring people together and foster a sense of belonging.
Five Ways to Support a Local Library in Your Community
Libraries have always been an important part of our communities. They are a haven for book lovers and a source of knowledge for everyone. As a society, we need to make sure that our libraries are well-maintained and properly funded. After all, they provide invaluable resources that help people grow, learn, and develop.
If you're wondering how you can support your local library, here are some ideas to get you started:
Alumni Giving: Consider donating gently used books or other materials to your alma mater's library. Many school libraries are in need, and your donation can make a big impact.
Offer your skills: Do you have a skill that could benefit your local library? Reach out and offer your expertise. For example, you might be a graphic designer who can create marketing materials or a web developer who can help with the library's website.
Host a book drive: Organize a book drive at your workplace, school, or community center to collect books to donate to your local library. This is a great way to get others involved and support your library.
Advocate for libraries: Contact your elected officials and urge them to support funding for public libraries. Libraries are a vital resource for communities, and it's important to ensure they receive the funding they need to continue providing services and programs.
Attend a library board meeting: Attend a meeting of your local library's board of directors to learn more about how the library is run and how you can support it. Board meetings are typically open to the public and provide a great opportunity to get involved.
Remember, libraries are an important part of our communities and any support you can offer will make a difference.
Other Resources you might need
[Watch] Meet Book Bunk
Bring Radical Generosity To Your Community
How Angela Wachuka and Wanjiru Koinange Are Decolonising & Democratising Nairobi’s Libraries
Book Bunk Trust led by two women is restoring Kenya’s historical libraries
7 Ways to Support Your Local Library Right Now