The use of the Camel Library Service (CLS) is confined to the North Eastern parts of Kenya. The concept was conceived in 1996 during the KNLS Board members’ development tour to the region. At that time, the library services in the area were only being provided from Garissa Provincial Library.
North Eastern province is a fast region that is inhabited predominantly by nomadic pastoralists. Settlement pattern in the region is dictated by the harsh climatic conditions and bad terrain that characterizes the area. The major economic activities of the pastoralists are livestock keeping and temporary agricultural practices. The region also experiences poor infrastructural that heavily impedes transport and communication systems for the population.
However, during the KNLS Board’s development tour to the region, an idea was borne, that by using camels as means of transport, the library service could start providing mobile library service to the communities and groups outside Garissa town. Even though KNLS operates motorized mobile services in its network, it had all along proved difficult for the Board to introduce such services in North Eastern province. This mainly was due poor roads, temporary settlements and nomadic lifestyle of the community.
Subsequently, the camel library service commenced in the region in 1996. Following the success of the service, a similar service was started in Wajir in 1999.
Level of usage of the Camel Library Service (CLS)
The CLS operates three caravans, two at Garissa and one caravan at Wajir. The service is very popular with the users and the communities being served. The service is compatible with the nomadic pastoral lifestyle because it targets the community in their natural focal points, the ‘Mayattas’ and other groups at the administrative centers.
Catchment Area
The library operates a radius of about 15kms from the static libraries. The majority of the users are school children, adult learners, social workers involved in various community initiatives and retirees.
Objectives of the Camel Library Service
- To ensure accessible library and information services to the pastoral communities.
In recognition that “information is a right to all”, the principal objective of the Board in setting up the service was to provide access to books, other publications and general information to disadvantaged nomadic groups who have no other means of access to information except by word of mouth. - To participate and assist in the eradication of illiteracy The North Eastern Province has an illiteracy level of 85.3% as compared to the National figures of 31%.
- To support formal education
Education is the foundation to human development (in absence of school libraries). Education standards in North Eastern Province are too low. 48.4% of primary school-going age children are not enrolled in schools. The camel library provides textbooks and information materials that create awareness among the nomadic people on the importance of education. - To support vulnerable groups access to books and encourage education.
Provision of library and information services to the nomadic communities includes awareness creation forums to encourage parents to take their girls to school. There is an alarming high rate of dropout among the girls as compared to boys. In most schools there are hardly any girls in the final classes. - Encourage and provide information for leisure reading and general Knowledge
Most people in North Eastern Province are poor and cannot afford to buy books. Majority are also idle, as there are limited recreational facilities. - The Board’s overall objective is to stimulate public interest in books and reading habits for lifelong learning.
The use of camel, which nomads identify with, has enhanced the use of library materials. Since infrastructure impediments such as poor roads have hampered transportation of information materials by Conventional methods (cars/roads etc), the camel, which is the most commonly used mode of transport in the area, comes in handy.
Method of operation
The CLS serves readers from Mondays to Thursdays. From Fridays to Sundays, the camels are released to go and feed, recuperate and are vetted for any signs of disease and treatment. A day starts with the loading of books and other library materials into boxes, which carry about a total of 200 books each. The books are then taken to designated areas in a camel caravan. One caravan comprises of three camels each with specified tasks as follows: one camel carries two book boxes; another carries a tent, reading mat, two 2 chairs and a table; the third camel is used as a spare incase any of the other two has a problem. In Garissa, the Camel library operates under three camel caravans, one of which was donated by Safaricom in 2004. The camel library operates within a 15 to 20 KM radius from the main library.
Once loaded, the camels move out in a caravan up to designated stations such as village centers. A Librarian in charge, two assistants and a skilled camel herdsman lead the caravan. On arrival, the books and other items are unloaded, the tent is pitched and the books are then displayed on the mat. A floor mat is also provided as sitting space for those willing to make quick references to the materials. It is the culture of the local people to sit on mats. From this makeshift library all the basic library services are provided and at the end of the day, all the items are loaded on camels, which head back to the library in preparation for the next day’s programme.
Compatibility
The project is compatible with nomadic pastoral lifestyle. The nomads keep on shifting from point to point but the Camel Library Service is able to target the communities and serve them at their natural focal points. The camel was chosen because it is a culturally acceptable and treasured mode of transport among the nomadic communities. It is also able to walk through the harsh terrain in the region and is adaptive to the community’s nomadic way of life. It has attracted a lot of international press coverage and could be replicated in other parts of the world with similar cultural values.
Support Literacy Programmes
The Camel Library Service greatly supports the reading recovery and literacy programmes in the region. Both retirees and adult learners make use of the service. School children have greatly benefited from the service, whose impact is manifest in raised performance at national examinations by pupils and students that use the service.
CHALLENGES
Despite the tremendous success the project has achieved, it has also been faced with various challenges that the library authority and management has had to contend with. These include:
Inadequate Book stock
For the Camel Library Services to continually appeal and make meaning impact in the lives of users, the library stock need to be replenished regularly, and as per the changing user needs. However, this is greatly hindered by the limited budgetary allocation for library services. High usage has put pressure on the available stock and is limiting the book ratio and circulation of materials among the library users.
Promoting Community Awareness
Given the low level of development of the nomadic pastoral community, there is need to create awareness on the use and importance of information in their lives. Indeed knowledge is power. Through the Camel Library Service the community can be empowered by building their social capital and ensure their social inclusion.
Library stock
To be able to sustain and promote reading among the active and potential library users, the book stock must remain attractive and exciting. The Board encourages well-wishers and other development partners to support the project. So far, individuals (children and adults from overseas and locally) have occasionally been sending money and book donations to stock the Camel Library Service.
Maintenance of the Camels
The camels like other animals may get indisposed and therefore curtail the programmed service provision.
Labour Intensive
The Camel Library Service is a labour intensive exercise and involves exhaustive traveling under very high temperatures.
SERVICES 
