The County Library Services Bill, 2024
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
New County Library Committees Established
Establishes a County Library Services Development Committee in each county under Section 5. The committee consists of the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for library services as chairperson, two distinguished academics, and two library science professionals with at least five years of experience, all appointed by the Governor with County Assembly approval.
Financial Aid for School and Public Libraries
Under Section 11, the newly established committee may formally recognize libraries run by voluntary agencies, school libraries, or any libraries open to the public. This recognition enables these institutions to receive financial assistance from the county government.
County Funding and Work Integration Mandates
Clause 4 requires county governments to integrate annual library work plans directly into their annual budgets. Counties must allocate adequate funds, mobilize resources, and facilitate training and capacity-building programs for library staff.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 40 of 2024
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 144 of 2024
Sponsor
Joyce Chepkoech Korir
Background
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 seeks to promote the establishment and use of libraries across Kenya's counties to facilitate access to information, improve education standards, and reduce illiteracy. The Bill directly actualizes paragraph 4(f) of Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of Kenya, which devolves library services to county governments.
New Obligations
For County Governments:
Under Section 4, county governments are obligated to:
- Approve and integrate annual work plans for county libraries into the annual county budget.
- Allocate adequate funds and resources necessary for library development.
- Collaborate with relevant entities to build capacity and develop training programmes for librarians.
For the County Library Services Development Committee:
Established under Section 5, each county's committee must:
- Establish, manage, equip, and maintain physical and electronic libraries (Section 7).
- Partner with the county executive committee member in charge of education to equip libraries in schools and colleges.
- Design innovative ways to enhance library access for disadvantaged persons.
- Prepare and submit an annual activity report to the county government and county assembly within three months after the end of each financial year (Section 12).
Vesting of Property:
Section 10 requires all movable and immovable property acquired for county libraries to vest in and be held by the respective county government.
Penalties
Borrowing Penalties and Fees:
Under Section 13, the County Executive Committee member, in consultation with the committee, is empowered to make regulations prescribing fees and penalties to be paid by any person borrowing books from a county library.
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