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Adapted library buildings hinder rather than aid the optimum organisation and use of the library and information services, a situation which often puts librarians in difficulties by their reacting to problems, rather than anticipating them. A survey of some ten community libraries of the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) was carried out in September 2000, the findings of which revealed to the contrary that most buildings had fulfilled their changed function and are effective functional libraries that provide “customers” with a choice of best value. In the survey, overall characteristics of the buildings are reflected in terms of type, size, method and calculations. Factors affecting use were examined using interview and observation methods.

Discusses an innovation in the Kenya National Library Service, the Camel Library Service (CLS) in North Eastern Province, Kenya. Highlights results of an investigation of the impact and the feasibility of the CLS pilot project and its compatibility to the lifestyle of nomadic pastoralists. The instruments used in the survey included questionnaires, interviews, documentary analysis and a literature search. Data from the field was adapted, coded, summarized statistically and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS). The findings show that animal transport (camel) as a mobile library provides an adequate alternative and successful model for a service on wheels. The CLS was also found an effective channel of maximizing the use of National Library information resources by nomadic pastoralists. A review of its performance indicates the project is viable and can be adapted, replicated and expanded.