Introduction

Syracuse University is one of two repositories of the microfilm collection of the Kenya National Archives, produced in the 1960's through a joint grant with the National Science Foundation, the government of Kenya, and the Program of Eastern African Studies of Syracuse University, (no longer in existence).The other collection is owned by the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) in Chicago. The documents include archival material, many once confidential, of the colonial and post-colonial government of Kenya up to the early 1960's. "They provide a full account of the social, political, economic, and reigious problems of development in equatorial Africa". (Foreword, v.) The documents were collected and microfilmed by the Chief Archivist of Kenya in the mid-sixties, and sent to the Syracuse Univeristy Library in 1966 and 1967.

The documents include 157 microfilm reels divided into the following seven sections:

Section I  Provincial and District Annual Reports (66 reels)

Section 2  Provincial and District Record Books (16 reels)

Section 3  Provincial and District Handing over Reports (14 reels)

Section 4  Miscellaneous Correspondence (11 reels)

Section 5  Intelligence Reports (12 reels)

Section 6  Debate of the Legislative Council and the National Assembly (33 reels)

Section 7 Secretariat Circulars (5 reels)

Source: Guide to the Kenya National Archives, 1968

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Aside from the 157 reels mentioned above, there are a large number of microlfim reels of newspapers, journals, and papers of assorted associations. 

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Access

All scholars are welcome to use Kenya archival materials whether they are affiliated with Syracuse University or from another institution. On the following link, see the microfilm numbers and reels of these sources as well as the sections mentioned above.

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Microfilm Collection

A listing of the microfilm collection housed in Syracuse University Library Media Services, currently on the lower level of E.S. Bird Library.

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Guides to the Collection

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The Guide to the Kenya National Archives available in print is the best place to start for an overview of the collection. Copies of the Guide are available in Media Services of Bird Library, lower level, as well as in the circulating collection, call number: Z 3583 .K4 G85 1968, location on the 5th floor of Bird Library, and the Martin Luther King Library in Sims Hall. There are also other guides to specific sections of the Archives, available in print in the Bird and Martin Luther King Libraries.

Guide to the Kenya National Archives, Call number: Z 3583 .K4 G85 1968, Location: Bird Library, 5th Floor; Media Services, lower level, Bird Library; Martin Luther King Library.

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A guide to daily correspondence of the Coast, Rift Valley,
Central, and Northeastern Provinces : Kenya National
Archives microfilm, Call Number: Z3516 .S9 no.28, Location: Bird-5th Floor; M.L. King Lib-Sims

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A guide to the secretariat circulars : Kenya National
Archives microfilm, Call Number: Z3516 .S9 no.29, Location: Bird-5th Floor; M.L. King Lib-Sims

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A guide to Nyanza Province microfilm collection, Kenya
National Archives, Call Number: Z3516 .S9 no.22, etc., Location: Bird-5th Floor, Library has: pt.1 (shelved under Z3516.S9 no.22), pt.2 (shelved under Z3526.S9 no.24), pt.3 (shelved under Z3526.S9 no.25-26); M.L. King Lib-Sims, has pts 1-3.

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A catalogue of the Kenya National Archive collection on
microfilm at Syracuse University, Call Number: Z3516 .S9 no.6, Location: Bird-5th Floor.

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Visiting Scholars

Scholars not affiliated with Syracuse University are encouraged to contact the Library's subject specialist for African Studies prior to their arrival in order to arrange for a brief introduction to the Library, its staff, and Archive collections (see above for the specialist's name, email address and phone number).

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Interlibrary Loan
There is no Interlibrary loan of the microfilm themselves, but Interlibrary Loan staff will photocopy requested parts of the microfilm collections to loan to other libraries and educational institutions.

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Directions to Bird Library
From the New York State Thruway (Rt. 90)
Take Exit 36 and follow Route 81 South towards Syracuse. Proceed according to the following directions from Rt. 81:

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From Route 81 South
Take Exit 18 and follow Almond Street underneath Route 81. Turn left on Adams Street and continue past Upstate Medical Center to University Avenue (4th traffic light). Turn right on University Avenue and proceed to Waverly Avenue (2nd intersection). Turn left on Waverly Avenue. Bird Library is the second building on your right.

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From Route 81 North
Take Exit 18 and turn right on Adams Street. Continue past Upstate Medical Center to University Avenue (4th traffic light). Turn right on University Avenue and proceed to Waverly Avenue (2nd intersection). Turn left on Waverly Avenue. Bird Library is the second building on your right.

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Parking
Metered parking is available in front of Bird Library. Also, the Marion Visitor's Lot is located just past the Library on the left.

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(Syracuse University Library website/Visitor's Guide/Directions http://library.syr.edu/about/directions.html)

Housing
Syracuse University does not provide housing for visiting scholars or researchers, but there are a few options for housing nearby:

Sheraton University Hotel

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801 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315-475-3000 • Fax: 315-475-2266
Toll Free Reservations: 800-395-2105

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Location: The Sheraton is located at the corner of University Avenue and Waverly Avenue, across the street from the Schine Student Center and a block from the library. Marshall Street and the Marshall Square Mall are within a block of the hotel.

Genessee Inn Hotel

1060 East Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315-476-4212 • Fax: 315-471-4663

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Location: The newly renovated Genesee Inn Hotel is also an option at the corner of University Avenue and East Genesee Street. Only 5 blocks from the Schine Student Center, Bird Library, and Center for Science and Technology building.

Food
Marshall Street and South Crouse Ave., located on the Syracuse University campus, and a block from the the Library, has a mall and a variety of shops and eating spots, including ethnic and fast food.

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