Librarians from across Kenya converged in Mombasa for a transformative one-week workshop organized by the Kenya Library Association (KLA), focusing on advancing cataloguing skills, embracing artificial intelligence (AI), and strengthening financial literacy. Held at Hotel Sapphire from April 7 to 11, 2025, the workshop brought together professionals from public, private, parastatal, and academic libraries under the theme “Resource Description & Access, Artificial Intelligence and Metadata.”
KLA President Prof. Peter Gatiti, who also serves as Associate Vice-Provost and University Librarian at Aga Khan University, led discussions on strategic planning for libraries, underscoring the evolving role of information professionals. He emphasized the importance of continuous upskilling in response to emerging technologies, particularly AI, to meet the demands of an increasingly complex information landscape. Prof. Gatiti also introduced systematic review methodologies, with some participants earning Cochrane certificates upon completing the first training module.
Dr. Alfred Odhiambo from the Library of Congress, Nairobi office, guided participants through the transition from Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) to Machine-Readable Cataloguing (MARC) and the future of cataloguing using Bibframe. He highlighted how modern cataloguing promotes information literacy and supports scientific citizenship.
The workshop also addressed financial literacy for librarians, focusing on budgeting, policy formulation, and business continuity planning. These sessions, facilitated by KLA Treasurer Dr. Christine Tuitoek of the Central Bank Library, aimed to empower librarians to manage resources efficiently for personal and institutional sustainability.
Representatives from Mombasa County Library, Wajir County, Kisumu County, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, and other institutions participated, showcasing innovative practices within their libraries. The Kenya National Library Services (KNLS), represented by Mary Kenyanjui, reiterated its role as the national legal deposit, maintaining the national bibliography and ensuring access to information across all counties.
Nation Media Group librarians Maria Wambua and Anniel Njoka shared insights into their digital archiving journey and the rich historical, photographic, and advertorial materials available to the public.
The workshop affirmed the need for vibrant, creative, and tech-savvy librarians to deliver accessible, evidence-based information, supporting Kenya’s knowledge economy.
