Transitioning Kenya's colonial era libraries

This is an interesting story about how Kenya's old libraries from the colonial era are transitioning. It is appalling to me, but not surprising, that only whites could use the libraries. Libraries originally were private property of the wealthy and powerful. To limit anyone access to books and resources to me is terrible.  https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/africa/book-bunk-kenya-library-renovations-africa-spc-intl/index.html   

This makes me think about the history of public libraries and their collections which are freely accessible to the public. When I lived and worked in Pennsylvania I first heard the word free used in library titles, such as in the Free Library of X town. This was part of the changing concept of  libraries being more accessible to more of the public in the late 19th century. The Free Library of Philadelphia was chartered in 1891 as "a general library which shall be free to all." by Dr. William Pepper (https://libwww.freelibrary.org/about/history). Prior to the creation of free libraries, you usually had to be a paid member, or subscriber, to use library collections if you did not own your own library. Also, in the late 19th century, there was a trend for wealthy philanthropists, like Carnegie, to found libraries, but these huge, gorgeous buildings proved unsustainable to local communities. It was not until after WWII that national plans developed for public funding for public libraries to establish standards, ensure quality service, and reach previously unserved areas and groups. Libraries have been integral to my learning ever since I was little and went with my Mom to get my first library card. Many nations and people do not yet have free access to libraries and their collections, or their access and the information is limited, and this negatively impacts their life, health and career options, their understanding of the world, and their nations. I wish the Kenyans transitioning their libraries the very best. The library profession, including archivists, are working hard to transition our collections, services, and expertise in our quickly changing digital world and during COVID, and to become more inclusive, more aware of our biases and how that impacts our collecting policies, services, exhibits, and relationships with people and organizations. In the article that the one woman noted how many materials in the libraries are not relevant to the community today, not what they need or want, not in local languages. While they understand certain materials should be retained for historical purposes, the majority of the now public library collections need to change so they  meet the needs of the local people who otherwise will not use or support the libraries.