THE MOMBASA CITY WORKSHOP
NOVEMBER 2024
The SLAK Mombasa City workshop was held on November 2nd and 3rd, 2024, at the Reef Hotel, Mombasa, under the theme "Empowering Connections and Engagement in Modern School Libraries." The workshop brought together 33 school librarians from across Kenya to explore innovative ways of fostering connections and enhancing engagement within school library environments.
The workshop was graced by the Chief Guest, His Excellency Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir of Mombasa County, who commended the vital role of school librarians in shaping young minds and emphasized the importance of modern libraries in supporting Kenya’s educational goals.
Key training areas during the workshop included:
Enhancing engagement through interactive library activities.
Strengthening library programs to foster collaboration and connection.
Leveraging digital tools to modernize library services.
Best practices for creating inclusive and student-centered library spaces.
The serene setting of Reef Hotel provided an inspiring backdrop for the event, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and professional growth. Attendees participated in interactive sessions, sharing insights and learning practical strategies to apply in their respective institutions.
The Mombasa City workshop provided an excellent opportunity for networking, enabling librarians to connect with peers and build professional relationships. By the end of the two-day event, participants were equipped with transformative skills and renewed inspiration to make their libraries hubs of engagement and innovation within their schools.
THE MACHAKOS WORKSHOP
APRIL 2024
The SLAK Machakos workshop was held in April 2024 at the Garden Hotel, Machakos, bringing together 45 school librarians from various regions across Kenya. The theme of the workshop, "Transformative Librarians for Transformative Libraries," highlighted the vital role of librarians in reshaping libraries to meet modern educational needs.
The workshop focused on four critical training areas:
The workshop focused on four critical training areas:
Creating dynamic library programs.
Embracing library automation for efficiency.
Strategic approaches to school library management: Ushering a new era.
Building connections: Cultivating collaboration with educators.
Designed to empower school librarians with transformative skills, the workshop provided practical tools and innovative strategies to enhance library operations. Attendees actively engaged in discussions and hands-on activities, fostering collaboration and innovation.
The event also served as an excellent networking platform, enabling participants to exchange ideas and forge meaningful connections with their peers. Librarians left the workshop equipped with valuable insights and strategies to revolutionise their school libraries and better support their school communities.
NAIROBI WORKSHOP
December 2023
The Nairobi workshop held on December 9th at the August 7th Memorial Park was a grand success, marking a proud moment for SLAK as it celebrated its first anniversary. This event was a true testament to the organisation's success, following two other successful workshops conducted in Nakuru and Kisumu counties.
The keynote speaker, William Kemei, delivered an inspiring speech on the critical role played by school librarians. As the Chief Principal of Lenana School and Chair of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA), Mr. Kemei's speech highlighted the importance of administrative support in the library's success and emphasised the significant role librarians play in fostering the lifelong learning and academic success of students in schools.
Mr. Kemei's speech reminded us all of the tremendous value that librarians bring to the education system and called for action to support and recognise the essential work of school librarians.
KISUMU WORKSHOP
August 2023
The Kisumu workshop was held on August 18th and 19th, 2023, at the Joventure Hotel in Kisumu, with the theme "Empowering Libraries: Navigating the Digital Frontiers." More than 40 school librarians attended from various regions of Kenya.
The workshop covered critical topics such as promoting a reading culture in schools, evaluating library performance, best management practices, promoting information literacy, and library automation strategies. The workshop was tailored to the needs of school librarians, providing them with the skills and tools necessary to navigate the digital age with ease.
Attendees benefited from the interactive and engaging experience, which provided them with an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, gain new insights, and expand their skills.
NAKURU WORKSHOP
April 2023
The SLAK inaugural workshop was held on April 28th, 2023, at Milele Resort in Nakuru County. The theme of the workshop was "Empowered Librarian for a Functioning Library," which aimed to cover key training areas essential for any school librarian looking to improve their library programmes.
Facilitators provided practical guidance and hands-on training in several critical areas, such as library automation, the CBC Curriculum, information literacy, and reading culture.
The workshop was attended by more than 50 school librarians from all over Kenya. The participants were thrilled to learn about new trends in school libraries and how they could apply this knowledge to their library programmes.
The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their satisfaction with the quality of the workshop faciltation.