South African Library Week will be celebrated by the City of Cape Town’s libraries from 15 to 21 March 2021, with the theme Libraries Matter.
‘The very nature of our libraries as gateways to knowledge, communal spaces and curated collections of information was upended the last year. While the facilities could not be accessed as before, the City’s libraries came up with novel ways to continue providing services to patrons. With Library Week, our libraries aim to continue being at the heart of our communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Libraries have called on their patrons to return overdue items without being fined. Of the more than 24 000 outstanding items, those most likely to be overdue are copies of Harry Potter books, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.
‘The current value of overdue items is just more than R2 million. We may not be able to replace some of the items, which means they will be lost to all patrons. Not returning items deprives others of access,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
‘Our libraries matter, and so does every book, CD, DVD, magazine and newspaper. These are resources for entire communities, while the buildings provide communal spaces for social, cultural, political and economic interaction,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
- The most popular authors are James Patterson and Danielle Steel whose books have been checked out 14 044 and 13 478 times, respectively, from January to November 2020.
- The most popular individual books checked out at City libraries are those by authors Jeff Kinney and Lee Child, who make up the top four spots.
- Double Down by Jeff Kinney has been checked out 606 times, Night School by Lee Child 581 times, Past tense by Lee Child 491 times and The Getaway by Jeff Kinney 456 times.
‘I want to encourage patrons to visit their libraries, especially to return any overdue items. By doing so, you are passing on the joy of a book and the information it contains to a fellow resident. Together we can ensure that our libraries matter,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Below is a list of libraries offering browsing, study space, SmartCape internet access and drop and collect services
Adriaanse, Athlone, Avondale, Belhar, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis. Brooklyn, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Bridgetown, Brown’s Farm, Camps Bay, Claremont, Central, Crossroads, Delft, Delft-South, Dunoon, Durbanville, Eersteriver, Eikendal, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Fish Hoek, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Hanover Park, Harare, Huguenot Square, Kensington, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Kuyasa, Lansdowne, Langa, Leonsdale, Lotus River, Macassar, Maitland, Mamre, Manenberg, Masiphumelele, Meadowridge, Melton Rose, Milnerton, Moses Mabhida, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Ocean View, Ottery, Parow, Philippi East, Pinelands, Retreat, Rondebosch, Rylands, Colin Eglin Sea Point, Scottsdene, Simonstown, Southfield, Strandfontein, Strand, Suider-Strand, Table View, Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre, Valhalla Park, Vredehoek, Westridge, and Woodstock.
Staff at the above-mentioned libraries will follow strict COVID-19 protocols. Patrons will be screened prior to entering our libraries to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff. All visitors are required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and adhere to social distancing protocols.
Libraries open for Drop and Collect only
Goodwood, Gordon’s Bay, Lentegeur, Kommetjie, Mowbray, Pelican Park Satellite, Plumstead, Rocklands, Somerset West and Weltevreden, Edgemead, Khayelitsha Site B, Kulani, Masakhane and Tygervalley. Lwandle/Hector Pietersen, Kloofstreet, Kuilsriver, PD Paulse, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Tokai and Wynberg, Bonteheuwel, Heideveld, Hout Bay and Nazeema Isaacs, Hangberg, Mfuleni, Tafelsig and Observatory
The following operating hours will apply:
• Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 and Saturday 09:00-12:00.
• Loan period – 30 days
• Renewal – one renewal for additional 30 days
• Borrowing privileges – 20 items including five audio-visual items (CDs/DVDs)
• No reservations or inter-library loans will be done at present
Patrons and visitors are requested to acquaint themselves with the capacity limits for each of the services by accessing the information on the Online Public Catalogue (OPAC) here
More about South African Library Week
The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) initiated SALW in 2001 as a commemorative period recognised by government when all types of libraries across the country use it as an opportunity to market their services and create awareness of the important role that libraries play in a democracy, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, and to promote tolerance and respect in society.
The choice of the date commemorates the establishment by proclamation of the first public library, the South African Public Library, now the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus), on 20 March 1818.
In addition, the country celebrates Human Rights Day on 21 March and the Bill of Rights recognises the freedom of access to information as a basic human right.
More information can be found here # What’s on in Cape Town this month
See also Cape Town Green Map
