Maia Lekow and Christopher King’s “The way to Construct a Library” could also be extra aptly titled, “The way to Recreation the System.” This isn’t meant as derisive, however merely the fact confronted because the documentary‘s central figures, Angela Wachuka and Wanjiru ‘Shiro’ Koinange, work to boost cash, gladhand, and reshape conventional library practices with the intention to create a de-colonized area for Africans younger and outdated to develop, study, and join. Noble as their pursuit could appear, after 5 years making inroads with politicians, most of the values they held firstly of the movie don’t essentially stay intact by its conclusion.
“The way to Construct a Library” begins in 2017. Shiro and Wachuka are a author/writer duo who group as much as kind Ebook Bunk, a “social impression agency” constructed on the mission of revitalizing the McMillan Library within the downtown space of Kenya’s capital metropolis, Nairobi, in addition to neighboring branches in Makadara and Kaloleni. Whereas the latter two libraries and their transformations are showcased all through the movie, McMillan stays the primary focus, each for its dimension and central location, but additionally due to the historical past it holds.
Inbuilt 1931 by white settlers, McMillan was not allowed for use by Africans till 1958. The County Authorities of Nairobi had operated the massive, stone-columned constructing since then, however over time, let it fall into decline. As Shiro and Wachuka tour it firstly of the movie, they discover bookshelves held up with tree trunks, newspapers, chairs, and desks stacked in every single place, no bathrooms, however greater than anything, a whole lack of Kenyan tradition and historical past. As an alternative, relics of colonialism adorn each wall. A lot of the books lining the cabinets are from white authors and lots of function dated references to the African inhabitants.
The complete area serves as an ideal metaphor for a forgotten curiosity in schooling, but additionally the maintain of empire on generations. Being Black ladies within the literary world, Shiro and Wachucka have a vested curiosity in altering this and turning McMillan right into a premiere venue for African historic and cultural change, however as they get into the nitty gritty of getting contracts signed and commitments made, the act of constructing a library turns into extra about making others really feel like they’re in cost.
“They don’t take a look at the larger image of growing minds,” the chief librarian says at one level throughout a gathering with Shiro and Wachuka to debate how they need to work with the federal government. With this information, the 2 intrepid younger ladies understand their technique has to revolve round making individuals in energy assume giving this library a brand new life was their thought totally. At gala occasions hosted at McMillan to boost funds, they be certain that to position the highlight on people within the authorities, from an govt council member for schooling to the governor of Nairobi himself, all of whom clearly take pleasure in taking credit score, however are actually solely in it for the flowery events and picture alternatives.
What’s concurrently spectacular and disheartening is how good Shiro and Wachuka turn out to be at enjoying the sport. Maybe it solely comes because of the numerous delays attorneys and others create for them or the overall what’s-in-it-for-me angle each are compelled to take care of, however as their journey progresses and the fruits of their labor start to flourish, it’s clear this is able to’ve been unimaginable have been it not for his or her willingness and skill to work inside an extremely self-involved system. Typically this work comes on the detriment of their very own well being and in the end their whole values, because the work they do to enliven the neighboring branches proves so profitable, it garners the eye of the British royals. King Charles himself finally ends up visiting one of many libraries throughout his go to to Kenya and whereas many on workers want to draw a line within the sand to cease this occasion, Shiro and Wachuka know doing so might threaten their final objectives.
Regardless of the preliminary intent of their mission, the empire’s continued grasp on not solely this establishment, however on the people attempting to look after it proves a troubling juxtaposition. Even librarians who’re purported to be working with Shiro and Wachuka to modernize how the libraries will manage their assortment can’t assist however really feel certain to the Dewey Decimal System, which prioritizes European views over Africans. As ironic as their protection of this method and battle to adapt to a brand new one could appear, it additionally speaks to the thematic nature of change the movie as an entire goals to seize. By the point we see what Shiro and Wachuka have managed to create — a house for African tales to be informed by Africans — it’s exhausting to be involved about how this got here to be greater than merely being moved it managed to occur in any respect. Not solely do youngsters now see themselves mirrored in the place they arrive to study, however adults too are given the chance to return share their historical past and add to the archives Ebook Bunk is working to reshape.
When it comes to how the story is informed, Lekow and King work exhausting to remain as goal as potential whereas nonetheless centering Shiro and Wachuka’s private journeys as effectively. At occasions, the presentation is paying homage to Spike Lee documentaries like “When the Levees Broke” and “NYC Epicenters 9/11 -> 2021 1/2,” each in its use of a horn rating that evokes Terence Blanchard and the way it lays in archival footage and imagery to increase what’s being informed within the current.
Finally, whereas Kaloleni and Makadara full its constructions, McMillan’s renovations stays unfinished by the shut of “The way to Construct a Library,” although funds have been being raised and the governor did approve plans. On the similar time, in 2024, main protests erupted in Kenya over rising taxes and corruption. Ending the movie on this method, with no decision and one other battle probably blocking Shiro and Wachuka from seeing their imaginative and prescient by, combined with the difficult undertones round Shiro and Wachuka being a part of the very system their countrypeople are protesting, tragically leaves viewers in murky territory that muddles the general intention of the documentary.
Grade: B-
“The way to Construct a Library” premiered on the 2025 Sundance Movie Competition. It’s at present in search of U.S. distribution.
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