'Elimu Asilia' is the Swahili equivalent for indigenous knowledge (IK). It acts as a common platform where National Museums of Kenya (NMK) libraries working with NMK researchers and volunteers interact with local communities and children in the collection, preparation, preservation, sharing, exchange and dissemination of IK on culture, environment, health and history for the memory of our nation for sustainability and eco-social development. For more, please visit http://www.elimuasilia.org.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
NMK Libraries Win MAKTABA AWARDS 2012 ‘Elimu Asilia’s Contribution’
On September 21st
2012, Louse Leakey Auditorium at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) was host
to more than 300 delegates attending the Maktaba Awards 2012 (Library of the
Year 2012)
Two
of the National Museums of Kenya libraries emerged Winners in the Special and
Community Libraries categories respectively. The Main library at the Resource
Centre, Nairobi emerged winner in the special library category; while Coastal
Resource Centre, Mombasa emerged winner in the community libraries category. The
two Resource Centres are housed in spacious environment, have wireless and
internet connection that enhance access to information for readers.
Of interest to the
Maktaba Award 2012 was the library innovation dubbed “Elimu Asilia” a
participatory platform where NMK librarians and IT professionals work together
with researchers, students, teachers and the community to collect, preserve,
share and disseminate indigenous knowledge in the areas of Environment, History
and Culture for the memory of our nation for
sustainability and eco-social development, while creating and
encouraging online communities to share knowledge. The platform is available at
www.elimuasilia1.blogspot.com.
Elimu Asilia aims to:
·
Capture and collect
community memory through community participation
·
Process the knowledge
and make it available digitally online through the museum libraries and
websites
·
Raise awareness and promote appreciation of indigenous knowledge
·
Enhance collection, preservation and availability of indigenous
knowledge
·
Enhance access to and use of indigenous knowledge in digital
format
·
Promote development and
sustainable “on-line communities”
As
custodians of Kenya’s Heritage, the two libraries have unique collections like:
- Swahili manuscripts, Swahili poems, Kiswahili Language
- Local Documentaries on DVDs/CDs on different subjects
- Reprints collections on emerging research and manuscripts for future generation’s use
- Wide collection of local content from different ethnic groups from Kenya
- Natural History and Rare Books (Best in Africa South of Sahara)
Main
library Networks with other relevant libraries and institutions in the region in
the establishment of Biodiversity Heritage Library for Africa
Value Addition Services
- The libraries Listens to customers, provide scanning, printing, cyber café services to those interested
- Coastal Resource Centre staff participate in events and activities on cultural issues such as cooking, dress making, henna competition for ladies, wedding and dances during visits by students of the School of Oriental in African Studies (SOAS) who are trained on Kiswahili language and Swahili Culture
- Provision of Multi-media corner with relevant local content on CDs/DVD and Videos of educative documentaries by NMK
- A 21’ flat screen TV is provided in the library for clients and staff to keep abreast with news around the world as it happens
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