The Camel Mobile: an Innovative Approach to Rural Library Service in Kenya

IFLA Pre-Conference : Education and Research for Marketing and Quality Management in Libraries, Quebec City, Canada, August 14-16, 2001

By Christine M. Koontz

SLA Representative, Management and Marketing Section: IFLA

Library marketing professionals from around the world gathered in Quebec City, prior to IFLA in Boston, August 14-16, to discuss the state of library marketing education, and successful marketing research techniques that improve library service.

Daniel N. Ruheni, of Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya, presented the most unique marketing solution to overcome barriers to rural library service. Ruheni's approach is --(pardon all puns) from the 'eye of a camel.'

The Camel Mobile Library service, started in 1996, spans a radius of 10 kilometers from a static library location. Camels caravan to marginal regions of the countryside where the camel is valued not only for transport, but for meat, skin, and medicinal purposes.

Three camels are tied together carrying tents, chairs, tables, an umbrella, and of course, books. The service is managed by the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) a government entity that manages all Kenyan public library systems. According to the KNLS 85% of the rural population is illiterate, as compared to the national average of 31%. Book donations are accepted from corporate bodies, both local and overseas. Library development committees include village elders and community readers.

The camels take books to school children and villagers, overcoming obstacles of rough terrain, and travelling roads with little infrastructure. The camels move from region to region, Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday the camels are released to go to search for food and water and recuperate. Ruheni states, "In spite of hardships, the camel library offers good marketing practices, moving library resources in the most rural areas of northeastern Kenya." Kudos to Ruheni and Kenyan librarians for novel and effective outreach.