The Living Library at Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Headquarters – Maktaba Kuu, Upper Hill, is a pioneering collaboration with Forest Friends of Kenya (FFoK) that transforms traditional learning into an immersive green experience. It is the first of its kind in Kenya, where books and living plants come together to inspire environmental awareness, sustainability, and a culture of conservation.
Unlike a traditional library that preserves only books, the Living Library grows knowledge—literally. It features a collection of living trees and plants placed within the library space, alongside preserved specimens of leaves, seeds, and bark to support tree identification and indigenous knowledge. This living archive bridges literature with the natural world, making the library a dynamic classroom for SDGs, climate action, and environmental education.
Key initiatives at the Living Library include:
🌳 Learn a Tree a Day – Daily highlights of a tree species, its uses, ecological value, and cultural significance.
📖 Book-to-Tree Connection – Linking books, journals, and research materials to related plants and forest knowledge.
🌱 Adopt-a-Tree Program – Library users can adopt and care for plants, promoting responsibility and hands-on conservation.
🎙 Storytelling & Learning Sessions – Story-based activities, indigenous knowledge sharing, and environmental talks.
🧒 Youth & Children Engagement – Fun, scheduled activities blending reading, creativity, and eco-education.
The Living Library is also designed as a practical hub for the KNLS Forest Clubs, allowing members to apply what they learn through direct interaction with plants. It provides a bridge between books, classrooms, and the natural world—turning the library into a green sanctuary of knowledge, innovation, and inspiration.
🌍 Our vision is to create a model where libraries across Kenya and Africa can adopt the Living Library concept, ensuring every library becomes a seedbed for environmental stewardship and lifelong learning.