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{
    "id": 628113,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/628113/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 384,
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    "content": "that, we have others that need libraries. It is important that we use Article 189 of the Constitution that encourages cooperation between the national and county governmentsin this function. It says: - “Government at either level shall liaise with government at the other level for the purpose of exchanging information, coordinating policies and administration and enhancing capacity” This is one area where we must use this Article. I say that because the people who need these services are in the counties. In fact, during the recent teacher’s strike that went on for quite some time, the one place where children found solace was in these library services in counties. However, we have reduced these libraries to a place where you get the oldest books. In fact, when you go inside the library, you get out coughing because the books are old, undusted and not properly arranged. It is chaotic. From the pictures in the media, you could see children and members of the public seated on the floor because the sitting capacity is inadequate. That is one reason why each county should control its own library. Some counties like Kericho do not have a library. People from there have to travel all the way to Nakuru County because it is the only place where they are sure to get material in a national library. We must also move away from this idea that we only read for exams. In fact, this Bill should encourage reading not only by children and students but even members of the community. If you do not read, you cannot lead. We need to cultivate a culture of reading that will produce readers. Let me touch on the functions. The definition of a book enlarges this definition to “not limited to a book”. We need to know that technology is dynamic. We are moving from the era where you can only read a book on a hard copy. We must start practicing e- reading and have these libraries equipped and ICT enabled in order to do that. If you remember, we passed a Bill that encouraged that we honour heroes in counties. Where do we store this information? This is one place where this can be properly documented. In paragraph (f) on the coordination of training, I would only appeal that the policy, in terms of coordination, is put in a central place. That way, we can also have uniformity and homogeneity in terms of training and curriculum for the trainers, so that differentcounties do not do different things. I look at part (h) and I see the promotion of libraries. It is very important that we promote and encourage people to read.This culture of just reading for examinations must be gotten out of our system. We must encourage even villagers to access this information. Every day, we talk about public participation in counties but where do we get these documents? This is one place where I hope that county governments will give this information because it is a constitutional right. Regarding the issue of people with disability (PWD), the libraries must be stocked with the necessary devices to make it friendly to them. Finally, on reporting, we must increase it to maybe twice or every quota. Let us not do it once because it will be ineffective to monitor and make follow-up by the county assembly in county governments. With those few remarks, I think it is a very productive Bill. I beg to second. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}