The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa Library is Number One

Presentation of Maktaba Award for best school library in Kenya

The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa Library has been judged number one in the School category of the Kenya Library of the Year Award (LOYA 2012).  Also known as the Maktaba Award, the awards ceremony was held last Friday at the Nairobi National Museum.

Senior School Head Librarian Habel Amolo attended along with Assistant Librarian Georgina Mwende, and they were delighted to receive, on behalf of the Academy, the trophy for top school in Kenya.

Each entrant had to submit a profile of their library, indicating the unique features that qualify it for the award. Preliminary judging was then followed by visits to the shortlisted libraries for further assessment.

A total of 75 institutions enrolled in the different categories of the competition which seeks to recognise excellence in the provision of library and information services. The introduction of a national library award in Kenya three years ago was driven by the recognition of the key role that information plays as a catalyst to sustainable development. It also acknowledges that the attainment of Kenya’s Vision 2030 will remain elusive as long as the vast majority of Kenyans have no access to current, relevant and quality information.

Congratulations to the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa and in particular its librarians who run the fine library facility for their recognition of the importance of knowledge: "You cannot open a book without learning something" – Confucius.