In this episode, my co-host Jane O'Brien Davis and I chat with Marion Anvango at Book Bunk. Book Bunk is "working to restore some of Nairobi's most iconic public libraries into sites of heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, cultural leadership and information exchange." During our discussion, we explore the diverse series of programming that they offer in their public library branches. We also chat about Book Bunk's approach to restoring libraries to make them more inclusive and accessible and cultivate a sense of belonging for the local community.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
- how they involve the community in the restoration of public libraries,
- their experiential, digital, architectural, and social approach to restoring public libraries,
- their efforts to make library services more accessible for those living with disabilities,
- why public libraries are so important for cities to have,
- and much more!
Powered by RedCircle
Guest: Marion Anvango, Book Bunk
Marion Anvango is a literature enthusiast. She works at Book Bunk as the Acquisitions Liaison, in charge of curating and managing collections at the libraries.
- Website: www.bookbunk.org/
- Twitter: @thebookbunk
- Instagram: @thebookbunk
Co-Host: Jane O'Brien Davis
Jane is a MScPl student in the Department of Geography and Planning. Her interests lie in heritage planning, cultural planning, and public histories. Jane’s research looks at counter-monuments and alternative commemorations of space and place. She is interested in how grassroots organizing in Canadian cities engages with built heritage in a settler colonial context.
- Twitter/Instagram: @janeobd
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jane-o-brien-davis-772211197/
Timestamps
- 01:46 | An introduction to Jane
- 05:22 | An introduction to Marion and Book Bunk
- 07:45 | What is the Book Bunk and how did it get started?
- 10:41 | We read that your approach to public library restoration is “experiential, social, digital, and architectural”. Can you walk us through the restoration process from these different lenses?
- 14:35 | Given Kenya’s colonial legacy, what is Book Bunk doing to promote traditional Kenyan culture in these spaces?
- 21:28 | How does Book Bunk involve the community in the physical restoration of the public libraries?
- 23:45 | Can you explain some of the programming that Book Bunk has?
- 29:28 | Can you share with us who is the target audience of Hepa Jam because its activities target so many people?
- 28:01 | Can you paint us a picture of what the public space landscape looks like Nairobi?
- 30:17 | Why public libraries are so important to cities?
- 32:50 |What support or partnerships do you think municipalities can provide to help the maintenance and expansion of your programming and services?
- 34:50 | What’s next for Book Bunk?
- 38:27 | How can people get involved or support Book Bunk?
Show Notes
- Wanjiru Koinange
- The Havoc of Choice by Wanjiru Koinange
- Angela Wachuka
- McMillan Memorial Library
- Eastlands Library
- Kaloleni Library
- Music Bunk
- NBO Litfest
- Hepa Jam
- A Palace for the People
- Palaces for The People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Lkinenberg
Acknowledgements
- Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
- Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos
Stay in the loop!
If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please send me an email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, podiatrist, personal shopper, pharmacist... and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop
No comments:
Post a Comment