RTI DR. RAHAB N. NYAGA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Introduction
Railway Training Institute was set up in 1956, to undertake capacity building for the East Africa Railways and Harbours and later Kenya Railways. The Institute has a modern information centre offering library services such as stocking of audio-visual equipment, textbooks, journals, newspapers, E-Resources among others. The first library block was named "Desai Memorial Library" after beneficiary of donations of books and ICT materials from Desai Memorial Foundation in 1996.
RTI now boasts of a modern library block with a capacity of 300 users which was officially opened by Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport during the 60th RTI graduation ceremony, held on 8the December 2022. The library is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Rahab Nyaga, member KR Board of Directors, for her immense support and contribution to the growth and development of Railway Training Institute.
Collection & Services
The library has grown from a few reference books to 20,000 volumes including journals. In addition to printed materials, the library holds an extensive range of information on other media. This includes CD ROM, videotapes, slides, and microforms. These materials form the essential resources to support the teaching, learning and research activities.
The Library has extensive subject collections to support both recommended and background reading as well as daily newspapers.
The Library has three (3) main sections. Books that are in constant demand are kept in a separate short loan collection for overnight borrowing. The reference section is stocked with rare material like Dictionaries, Maps, Charts and more. Long loan Section comprises a variety of textbooks for all the departments in the Institute. The library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System.
The reading space is quite convenient with quiet individual spaces. Most books are on open access and can be borrowed for one(1) week at a time subject to recall when required by other readers.
New students are oriented to the services provided by the library. The staff is always available to give expert advice and help with information and Research skills.
The library uses the KOHA open-source integrated library system, with smart cards required to access all services, including borrowing or return of the books.