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{
    "id": 1049783,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1049783/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 319,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui West, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Edith Nyenze",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13513,
        "legal_name": "Edith Nyenze",
        "slug": "edith-nyenze"
    },
    "content": "In a way, this can dilute information. That is why we need library services to give guidance, especially to scholars, on the kind of available information. A research was done sometimes back and it showed that most of those who leave Form Four do not get employed. They become housewives and shamba boys. The research showed that with time, they become illiterate although they went through education. Therefore, a reading culture is very important. This Bill is very important as it will provide room for innovation. Initially, people would just go to the physical libraries, sit there and read and conduct research. Now you can access information online. That online information should be guided by the same libraries. They should guide access to information through e-books, e-journals and databases. This can assist in studies by giving the right information. The Library Service should take modern approaches to provide access to information in a manner that leverages both physical and digital information. In doing so, they will ensure that our reading culture is guided in the right way. I support what some of my colleagues have said. Community libraries are very important. I would suggest that we have libraries, if possible, in each constituency. We can even use NG- CDF resources because the Library Service gets little allocation of our budget. If that budget can be channeled through the NG-CDF and then we ensure that we have a library in each constituency, then this would be taking libraries closer to the communities. This would really ensure that the reading culture is improved. There is also need to equalise education. In the libraries, you will find books which are not adequate for the physically challenged, especially the blind. The information available is not adequate for the deaf. The Kenya National Examinations Council gives the same exams it gives to others to the physically challenged. This should be taken up to ensure that education is equal for all Kenyans. I went to a certain school and found that the blind and the deaf are exposed to the same exams as others and yet, the tools are not adequate for them. So, in coming up with the National Library Services, it will cater for those who are physically challenged by ensuring that they have the right kind of material in the libraries. With that, I support the Bill which is actually timely. Thank you."
}