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KNOWLEDGE FOR EMPOWERMENT OF YOU TH
— · EIN · keylibraries.org
profile · synthesized from sources

Knowledge for Empowerment of Youth (KEY) builds and equips school libraries in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana to improve educational outcomes for underserved students. The organization provides fully resourced libraries with books, technology, and furniture, prioritizing gender equity and alignment with national curricula. KEY also supports librarian training and advocates for systemic investment in school libraries as tools for democracy, learning, and development.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

KEY Libraries
Builds and equips turnkey school libraries with over 1,500 curated books, computers, smartboards, furniture, and library management systems in underserved schools across Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana
Professional Development for Librarians
Provides ongoing training and support to school librarians to promote best practices and effective use of library resources
Volunteer Librarian Partnership
Engages certified librarians and library students as volunteers to support library operations and professional development in partner schools
activities · 3 groups

what they do

  • Community and School Library Support 2 activities
    • Establish and Equip School Libraries
      Establishes and equips primary and secondary school libraries in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, providing dedicated computers, e-readers, interactive whiteboards, furniture, and collections of over 1,500 new books aligned with local educational syllabi. The organization has established 46 libraries over 18 years, impacting over 44,300 students and donating 90,056 books.
    • Promote Literacy and Learning through Library Programs
      Implements library programs that have led to reported improvements of up to 81% in overall literacy skills, 80% in life skills, and 72% in civic awareness in schools. This includes hosting author and storytelling sessions and providing access to offline educational resources like Kiwix.
  • Policy & Rights Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocate for Library Policy Development
      Engages in advocacy to shape policies and guidelines for the library sector, particularly for underserved communities. This includes drafting Kenya's first policy and guidelines for school libraries, which laid the foundation for the National Policy on Libraries (2022) and the Libraries of Kenya Bill (2022).
  • Teacher Professional Development & Community Support 1 activity
    • Capacity Building for Librarians and Teachers
      Provides professional development and training for school librarians and teachers, including hosting workshops and soft-launching a School Librarians Certification Program. The organization has supported 962 teachers and empowered 78 librarians through its initiatives.
relationships · 35

who they work with

  • American Library Association (ALA) Network — Nyakundi James Nyambane is a member.
  • Andre De Grasse Family Foundation Partner — Rita Field-Marsham is a board director.
  • FIDA-Kenya Partner — Rita Field-Marsham provided pro bono legal services.
  • Goethe Institute Funder — Donor agency
  • Goethe Institute Partner — Presents the Maktaba Kenya Library of the Year Award, which KEY libraries have won.
  • Goethe Institute Partner — Presents the Maktaba Kenya Library of the Year Award.
  • International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Network — Nyakundi James Nyambane is a Standing Committee member for CPDWL.
  • Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Partner — Presents the Maktaba Kenya Library of the Year Award, which KEY libraries have won.
  • Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Partner — Presents the Maktaba Kenya Library of the Year Award.
  • Kenya Library Association Partner — Presents the Maktaba Kenya Library of the Year Award.
  • Kenya Library Association (KLA) Network — Nyakundi James Nyambane is a member.
  • Kenya National Library Services Partner — Represented by Purity Kavulya, Principal Librarian, contributing to the certification initiative.
  • Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP) Partner — Rita Field-Marsham is a board director; Charles Field-Marsham is Board Chair and sponsor.
  • Kestrel Capital (East Africa) Partner — Charles Field-Marsham is Founder and Chairman.
  • Kestrel Capital Management Corp Canada Partner — Charles Field-Marsham is Founder and Chairman.
  • Kiwix Partner — Co-founder Stephane Coillet-Matillon expressed happiness about the partnership with Wikimedia Kenya and KEY Libraries.
  • Library of Congress Partner — Honored by the Library of Congress in the 2025 Literacy Awards for contributions to literacy.
  • M-Pesa Foundation Funder — Corporate donor
  • MPESA Foundation Academy Partner — Rita Field-Marsham is a Board Governor; Wandia Gichuru is a Trustee.
  • Mpesa Foundation Partner — Partnered with Mpesa Foundation, whose librarian Alan Ngetich spoke about the impact of KEY Libraries.
  • Panafrican Group Partner — Charles Field-Marsham is Founder and Chairman.
  • San José State University Partner — Partner in developing the School Librarians Certification Program.
  • Shop Zetu Partner — Wandia Gichuru is Founder and CEO.
  • Slingshot Sports LLC Partner — Charles Field-Marsham is an investor and board member.
  • Technical University of Kenya Partner — Represented by Prof. Tom Kwanya, contributing to the certification program development.
  • U.S. Library of Congress Government — Recognized KEY for innovative methods and effective practices in promoting literacy
  • U.S. Library of Congress Partner — Recognized KEY for its methods and practices to promote literacy.
  • USAID Partner — Niccola Milnes is an M&E Advisor.
  • United States International University Africa (USIU) Partner — Nyakundi James Nyambane previously worked as a User Services Librarian.
  • University of Maryland Partner — Represented by Dr. Mega Subramaniam, contributing expertise to the certification initiative.
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