Documentary backdrop image for How to Build a Library (2025)

2025103 minPGdocumentary

10.0/ 10(1 rating)• TMDB

Gaming Community Education

Deep Dive

How to Build a Library

2025103 minPGdocumentary

10.0/ 10(1 rating)• TMDB

Deep Dive

Eight years of self-funded production document the efforts of two women to restore the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi, a site of colonial history.

Gaming Community Education

Genres

Directors

Watch later

Synopsis

Eight years of self-funded production document the efforts of two women to restore the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi, a site of colonial history.

People

View all →

Christopher Kingdirector

Maia Lekowdirector

Christopher Kingwriter

Maia Lekowwriter

Ricardo Acostawriter

Synopsis

Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka stand at the entrance of the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi, a structure with a colonial past. They quit their jobs to establish Book Bunk, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the library. Over eight years, they confront local politics and the challenges of fundraising millions for the project. Their work aims to transform the library into a community space that fosters cultural exchange and education in post-colonial Kenya. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Follow Angela Wachuka and Shiro Koinange's library restoration.
See the impact of colonial history on modern Kenya.
Meet the team behind the McMillan Memorial Library project.

Did You Know

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025.
Production took place over eight years, self-funded by the directors.
Angela Wachuka and Shiro Koinange founded Book Bunk after quitting their jobs.

Perfect For

Library restoration enthusiastsKenyan history buffsDocumentary film fans

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary How to Build a Library?

How to Build a Library was directed and produced by Maia Lekow and Christopher King.

What is the main focus of the documentary How to Build a Library?

The documentary follows Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka as they restore the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi.

When did How to Build a Library premiere at the Sundance Film Festival?

It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025.

Awards & Festivals

True/False Film Festival

2025 • Official selection

IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam

2025 • Official selection

Sundance Film Festival

2025 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

Comments

What are people saying?

Rate this film:

10.0/ 10(1 rating)• TMDB

Where to watch

How to Build a Library is not available at this time.

Official site

Genres

Culture History

Topics

Gaming Community Education

Play More Like This

1h17m

Koromousso: Big Sister

2023•1h17m•★7.0TMDB

In Burkina Faso, a group of women confront cultural taboos surrounding female sexuality and support each other in healing from the trauma of female genital mutilation.

Koromousso: Big Sister

2023

1h24m

Leaving Africa

2015•1h24m•★1.0TMDB

Two women in Uganda provide sexual health education to diverse religious groups while facing government efforts to shut down their program.

Leaving Africa

2015

28m

Everyday life in Kenya's capital Nairobi

2021•28m

A bridge in Nairobi connects Kangemi slum to the city, but faces demolition soon.

Everyday life in Kenya's capital Nairobi

2021

26m

Kenya's Imprisoned Women Fighting For Freedom Together

2014•26m

Almost 2,000 inmates, including convicted terrorists and murderers, reside in Kenya's maximum security Committee prison, where a unique program trains prisoners as legal counsel.

Kenya's Imprisoned Women Fighting For Freedom Together

2014

26m

My Mother Built This House - South Africa

2008•26m

Nearly one-third of Cape Town's 3 million residents live in slums or squatter settlements, facing daily challenges of safety and shelter.

My Mother Built This House - South Africa

2008

24m

Made in North Edinburgh: bringing a festival back to life

2022•24m

A community festival in North Edinburgh, created by local activists, aims to revive connections and activities for residents after years of decline.

Made in North Edinburgh: bringing a festival back to life

2022

22m

The Comedy Troupe Redefining Kenyan Politics

2007•22m

Youth voter registration increased significantly in areas where the comedy troupe Redykyulass held concerts to promote political engagement ahead of the 2007 elections.

The Comedy Troupe Redefining Kenyan Politics

2007

1h28m

The Courageous Girls of Meru, Kenya (Uplifting Documentary)

2023•1h28m

A multinational team, led by Canadian lawyer Fiona Sampson, makes legal history in Kenya by advocating for 11 girls facing violence and inequality.

The Courageous Girls of Meru, Kenya (Uplifting Documentary)

2023

24m

Hate and Hope - South Africa

2008•24m

Vrijburg High, a formerly violent and elitist school in South Africa, showcases the transformation and hope for a more inclusive educational environment.

Hate and Hope - South Africa

2008

1h28m

The Girls of Meru

2019•1h28m

In Kenya, a multinational team led by lawyer Fiona Sampson and Mercy Chidi Baidoo of Tumaini Shelter pursues legal action for 11 girls facing sexual violence.

The Girls of Meru

2019

47m

Forgotten Voices: Working-Class Struggles Unveiled by Professor Green

2023•47m

Professor Green highlights the contrasting lives of Lewis, an aspiring Cambridge student, and David, a resident of a homeless hostel, to illustrate working-class struggles.

Forgotten Voices: Working-Class Struggles Unveiled by Professor Green

2023

47m

Fascinating facts about 4-year-olds

2022•47m

The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds reveals the social development of young children.

Fascinating facts about 4-year-olds

2022

Explore How to Build a Library

Trailer People Awards Deep Dive Topics FAQ

Where else to watch

1h17m

Koromousso: Big Sister

2023•1h17m•★7.0TMDB

In Burkina Faso, a group of women confront cultural taboos surrounding female sexuality and support each other in healing from the trauma of female genital mutilation.

Koromousso: Big Sister

2023

No digital watch option in your country

44m

Umoja - Wo nur Frauen das Sagen haben

2023•44m•★9.0TMDB

380 kilometers from Nairobi, Umoja is a village established in 1991 that provides a sanctuary for women rejected by their husbands or victims of domestic violence.

Umoja - Wo nur Frauen das Sagen haben

2023

1h8m

The Library That Dolly Built

2020•1h8m•★10.0TMDB

Free books are provided to children from birth until they enter kindergarten through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, impacting families across the U.S. and Canada.

The Library That Dolly Built

2020

1h14m

City of Joy

2016•1h14m•★7.3TMDB

Over 20 years of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo have shaped a center where women transform their experiences into leadership and empowerment.

City of Joy

2016

3h25m

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

2017•3h25m•★6.4TMDB

Ninety-two locations serve diverse communities, offering programs that range from poetry readings to robotics workshops.

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

2017

1h47m

Hope Has A Name

2017•1h47m•★8.0TMDB

Over 100 women in urban America, Africa, and the Congo dedicate their lives to caring for orphans, building schools, and feeding the poor.

Hope Has A Name

2017

1h52m

Hard Times at Douglass High: A No Child Left Behind Report Card

2008•1h52m•★8.0TMDB

More than 1,000 students attend Douglass High in Baltimore, where teachers face significant challenges under the No Child Left Behind education reform.

Hard Times at Douglass High: A No Child Left Behind Report Card

2008

Browse more like this

47m

Forgotten Voices: Working-Class Struggles Unveiled by Professor Green

2023•47m

Professor Green highlights the contrasting lives of Lewis, an aspiring Cambridge student, and David, a resident of a homeless hostel, to illustrate working-class struggles.

Forgotten Voices: Working-Class Struggles Unveiled by Professor Green

2023

No digital watch option in your country

47m

Fascinating facts about 4-year-olds

2022•47m

The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds reveals the social development of young children.

Fascinating facts about 4-year-olds

2022

No digital watch option in your country

Library Wars: A New Front In America's Cultural Wars

2024•1h•★9.0TMDB

Four distinct narratives illustrate the rise of book bans in public libraries across the United States amid ongoing cultural conflicts over identity and censorship.

Library Wars: A New Front In America's Cultural Wars

2024

1h4m

Daraya: A Library Under Bombs

2018•1h4m•★9.0TMDB

A group of activists in besieged Daraya creates an underground library to preserve books and foster a sense of peace during the Syrian civil war.

Daraya: A Library Under Bombs

2018

1h35m

Talking Architect

2012•1h35m•★9.0TMDB

Six major metropolitan cities in South Korea will receive new libraries for children through the Miracle Library Project led by architect Chung Guyon.

Talking Architect

2012