The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) is a Government State Corporation, established by the KNLS Board Act Cap 225 of the Laws of Kenya in 1965 – revised [Act No. 12 of 1984]. KNLS’ headquarters is at Maktaba Kuu Building located in Upper Hill Nairobi and has two other facilities at Buruburu in the Eastland Areas of Nairobi, and Nakuru in Nakuru County. KNLS also manages the virtual library https://vtabu.knls.ac.ke/ to allow the public wide access to information resources and sources.
The National Library mandate is undertaken at the three KNLS library facilities. Being the national bibliographic agency, KNLS is a rich repository of all the books published in Kenya and on Kenya. This facilitates the publication of a comprehensive Kenya National Bibliography and, thus, contributes to preserving Kenya’s diverse culture and heritage for present and future generations. KNLS ensures that these national documentary resources are collected, preserved, and made accessible at the National Library facilities, on the virtual library platform, or through collaborative arrangements with other libraries. KNLS’ work is indeed essential for research, education, and advancing a knowledge economy. The library collections comprise rare books, manuscripts, books published in Kenya and on Kenya, periodicals, microfilms, government publications, bound old newspapers, maps, technical reports, and Africana collection among other diverse information resources. Capacity building and consultancy on library matters and related subjects also form the core functions of the KNLS Board.
To enhance the KNLS mandate, the Board manages a Digitization Lab, Data Center, and the Virtual Library vtabu. Through these digital platforms, KNLS promotes universal access to Kenya’s national documentary heritage.
In supporting the book publishing industry, KNLS issues the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to all Kenyan publishers/authors, a mandate given by the International ISBN Agency, in London, UK. In Kenya, KNLS is the National ISBN Agency. Details of the ISBN application are available at https://www.isbn.ac.ke/.
Construction of the National Library facilities at Maktaba Kuu, Buruburu, Nakuru were funded by the exchequer to enable the Board to establish a purposeful full-fledged National Library of Kenya that would measure up to the global principles of a National Library. Further, the amalgamation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, presented a significant opportunity to clearly distinguish between the roles of the National Library of Kenya from those of the Public Library System. The Public Libraries were listed as a devolved function in Schedule 4 of the Constitution, and thus, the 61 (former KNLS) branch libraries were transferred to the County Governments with effect from 1st July 2023.
