REPUBLIC OF KENYA PARLIAMENT SENATE BILLS (Bill No. 40 of 2024) THE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES BILL, 2024 (A Bill published in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 144 of 24" July, 2024 and passed by the Senate, with amendments, on Wednesday, 25" February, 2026.) peeved 93 MAR 2025 National Assembly ber Tavle Gflice 1 e,
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 THE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES BILL, 2024 ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES Clause 1—Short title. 2—Interpretation. 3— Objectives of the Act. 4—Role of county governments. 5—Establishment of a county directorate of library services. 6—Functions of a county directorate of library services. 7—Vesting of property. 8—Recognition of other libraries in the county. 9—Regulations.
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 Short title. THE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES BILL, 2024 A Bill for AN ACT of Parliament to provide for the establishment of county libraries and county directorate of library services in each county; the functions and powers of each county directorate of library services; and for connected purposes ENACTED by the Parliament of Kenya, as follows— 1. This Act may be cited as the County Library Services Act, 2024. Interpretation. 2. In this Act— "book" includes— (a) every volume, part, division of a volume and pamphlet in any language; (b) manuscript in any form; (c) every sheet of music, map, graph, chart or plan separately printed or lithographed; (d) newspapers, periodicals, paintings, posters, photographs, photographic reproduction, gramophonic records, audiovideo tapes, floppy, compact discs, slides, microfilms and film scripts for audio visual information and such other materials; and (e) journals and other electronic resources that can be accessed digitally; "county directorate of library services" means the county directorate of library services established under section 5; "county executive committee member" means the county executive committee member responsible for library services within the county; "library" means an organized collection of printed and digital information resources, books, periodicals or any graphic or audiovisual material to which a member of the public has access free of charge or on payment of fees or by virtue of being a member of an organization or institution; and 8
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 (b) develop, equip, manage, and maintain libraries including electronic libraries in the county; (c) promote technology in accessing and disseminating information; (d) provide information service responsive to the needs of communities; (e) plan, co-ordinate and advise the county government on the delivery of library services; (f) advise the county government and other public bodies on all matters relating to library, documentation and related services; (g) facilitate the documentation of information relating to the county and the provision of related services in the county; (h) facilitate the training of librarians within the county on the principles, procedures and techniques of librarianship and such other related natters as the committee may from time to time decide; (i) carry out and encourage research in the development of library and related services in the county; (j) conduct campaigns for the eradication of illiteracy in the county; (k) stimulate public interest in books and promote culture of reading, writing and publishing in local languages for knowledge, information and enjoyment in the county including facilitating mobile library services; (1) encourage and facilitate the use of libraries by members of the public; (m)partner with the county executive committee member in charge of education to facilitate the establishment and equipping of libraries in schools, colleges and other institutions; (n) design innovative ways to enhance access to library services and information by persons with disabilities; (0) provide professional advice to institutions and promote best practices in managing resource centres and school libraries; (p) acquire books produced in and outside Kenya and such other materials and sources of knowledge necessary for a comprehensive county library;
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 Vesting of property. Recognition of other libraries in the county. Regulations. (q) liaise with national library, other county libraries and other relevant institutions to enhance information and experience sharing; (r) publish a county bibliographical and referencing services in the county; and (s) perform any other function that may be conferred on it by this Act or any other law. 7. All movable and immovable property held or acquired for the purpose of a county library established and maintained by a county shall vest in and be held by the respective county government. 8. Subject to this Act, a county directorate of library services may— . . . (a) recognize any library run by a voluntary agency within the county, or any library open for use by the public, as a county library for the purposes of provision of financial assistance to the library; (b) recognize any school library in a county, for the purpose of provision of financial assistance to the school library; and (c) offer technical support to libraries recognized under paragraphs (a) and (b). 9. (1) The county executive committee member may make regulations for the better carrying out of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the county executive committee member may make regulations providing for— (a) recognition of a library or association for the purpose of provision of financial assistance; (b) prescribing fees and penalties to be paid by any person borrowing books from a county library; and (c) provision of technical support to libraries recognized under this Act.
The County Library Services Bill, 2024 I certify that this printed impression is a true copy of the Bill as passed by the Senate, with amendments, on Wednesday, 25'" February, 2026. Clerk of the Senate Endorsed for presentation to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of standing order 161(1) of the Senate Standing Orders. Speaker of the Senate Speaker of the Senate