The City of Cape Town will soon begin a comprehensive library upgrade programme. This programme forms part of a broader plan of redress, to address past inequalities and provide quality facilities for all the residents of our city, particularly those to whom these facilities were previously denied” says Councillor Tandeka Gqada, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services.
“We understand the importance of libraries in communities. Not only are they spaces of personal study, but they allow people to come together and share ideas, learn together, grow together and build, through their combined knowledge, a more empowered community and city,” Councillor Gqada adds.
The upgrade programme is set to build on the success of the Harare Library. Opened in 2011, the Harare Library was developed with the aid of grant funding received from the Carnegie Corporation, the National Treasury, the Urban Settlements Development Grant and the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant. The facility boasts a gaming room (a first for public libraries in South Africa) and an early childhood development space, known as Funda Udlale (Learn as you Play). Since opening to the public, the library has been well-used, with more and more people reaping the benefits of the facility each month.
Following on from this successful partnership, funding from the same sources has been earmarked for the development of a similar facility in the Kuyasa area. This facility will, like the Harare Library, include an extended public access computer section, study spaces and other learning facilities. Construction of the Kuyasa Library is intended to commence in 2013.
The Crossroads Library has also been earmarked for development in response to the community’s request for improved service delivery. The extension to the library will include a new library hall, study area, children’s recreation area and staff areas. Work will start in 2013.
Also commencing in 2013 will be the roof replacement programme at the Parow Library to address the current roof’s leaks.
“The development of these libraries will assist these communities greatly in the achievement of their development ambitions. The computers and books will provide the citizens with access to a wealth of information to which, without these facilities, they would have had extremely limited access,” notes Councillor Gqada.
“These facilities also provide access to various networking opportunities that will facilitate growth in these lower-income areas. Becoming part of the mainstream economy is in many cases assisted by access to the online community”, she concludes.
