18000 books drive to boost Community Libraries
Around 30 community libraries located in underserved areas are set for a donation of 18,000 books that will help in boosting literacy levels.
Moto Books and Arts Festivals organizers have been invited authors, booksellers, publishers and the public to be involved in the Adopt-A-Library initiative by making books donations.
The Director of Moto Books and Arts Festival, Mercy Kibira, said to the media that the donations of the books were part of the activities that will happen during a four-day book and arts festival that shall be hosted at the Village Market in commemoration of World Books and Copyright Day.
“In the initiative, 30 libraries countrywide can adopt any of the 30 libraries by donating their titles to the community-based resource and information centres,” she added.
Ms Kibira added that they had already gotten 9,000 out of the targeted 18,000 books from Maktaba, which is a non-profit organization that intends to reduce the literacy gap between school children, youth and adults from marginalized communities for every library adopted would donate 300 books.
She implored those who wish to participate to drop off the books at the Village Market where the festival would hold or send them as parcels.
The pioneer Moto Books and Arts Festival will take place starting from 21st to the 24th of April in order to rejuvenate interest in reading books and increase the impact of arts and literature in Kenya.
At the festival authors, illustrators, publishers, artists, booksellers and brands from all around the world will be welcomed to showcase their work and discuss emerging literary trends.
Ms Kibira revealed that Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, a Ghanaian writer and blogger renowned the world over will grace the festival.
She is the author of ‘The Sex Lives of African Women’.
“The Moto Books and Arts Festival initiative will help in connecting people with the same ideologies and are enthusiastic about creating scenes and books and who also appreciate the hidden gems in the world of art and theatre,” said Ms Kibira.
The sponsors of the event are Half Priced Books Limited and Village Market. In the celebrations, there will be an exhibition that will allow top publishing brands, authors and booksellers to showcase outstanding books, art and culture.
Among those who will exhibit are bookstores, publishing houses licensing and intellectual rights agencies, education institutions, illustrators, editors, authors, online content creators, and media outlets.
As a worldwide celebration of books and reading, UNESCO established World Book and Copyright Day.
The celebration is usually observed in more than 100 countries the world over with the main goal of encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure and collaborate with authors, illustrators, publishers, bookshops and libraries.