How to Build a Library

Play trailer

How to Build a Library

2025

1h 43m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

Popcornmeter

0 Ratings

Two intrepid Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya's colonial past.

Murtada Elfadl

Variety

"..feels like only half of a well-told story."

Feb 7, 2025

Full Review

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Provokes an interesting conversation about decolonizing institutions but doesn’t fully unpack the subject.

Jan 31, 2025

Full Review

Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

Who knew that such drama could be found in the Dewey Decimal System?

Feb 3, 2025

Full Review

Courtney Small

POV Magazine

In pondering whether there are bolt cutters strong enough to cut colonial chains, How to Build a Library forces audiences to reflect on the uncomfortable ways the past and present continue to be intertwined.

Jan 28, 2025

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Screen International

Through it all, the unwavering determination of these two women makes for one hell of a protest story.

Jan 27, 2025

Full Review

Cassondra Feltus

Black Girl Nerds

How to Build a Library is a fascinating exploration of Kenyan culture through the lens of artists working to restore and decolonize spaces for people to learn, create, inform, and share.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 27, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Maia Lekow

Director

Chris King

Director

Maia Lekow

Screenwriter

Chris King

Screenwriter

Ricardo Acosta

Screenwriter

Maia Lekow

Producer

Left for Dead

%

%

Left for Dead

Watchlist

Folktales

85%

%

Folktales

Watchlist

The Bad Guy

%

%

The Bad Guy

Watchlist

Made in Ethiopia

%

%

Made in Ethiopia

Watchlist

Earth Protectors

82%

97%

Earth Protectors

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Earth Protectors

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Two intrepid Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya's colonial past.

Director: Maia Lekow, Chris King
Producer: Maia Lekow, Chris King
Screenwriter: Maia Lekow, Chris King, Ricardo Acosta
Production Co: Circle and Square Productions, Fork Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 43m