No library fines during library week
You can return your overdue books and other library materials without being fined during South African Library Week, from Monday March 20 to Sunday March 26.
City libraries are missing millions of rands worth of overdue books and other resources, including some 40 000 items, worth an estimated R4.6 million, which were not returned in 2022 alone, according to mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross.
“Not returning books or other material not only impacts the library and our service financially but robs other patrons of enjoying them. Libraries are a wonderful source of information and leisure, but unreturned items means that pleasure is lost to many,” she said.
This year’s library week theme is “libraries telling powerful stories”, and, according to Rebecca Senyolo, national secretary of the Library and Information Association of South Africa, it draws on communities having many stories to tell about what libraries mean to them.
“Libraries are the only public place where all members of the community, from a toddler to a pensioner, can access services free of charge,” she said.
“Libraries have evolved over the years; they no longer provide books to read, current information and references only. Libraries are a one-stop shop for any information needs and have become a link between the communities and the world.”
City libraries will be running programmes for young and old during the week.
At Tokai library, romance novelist Melissa Volker will give a talk on Wednesday March 22; Nick Dall and Matthew Blackman, authors of Spoilt Ballots, will be there on Thursday March 23, and poet and writer Christine Coates will give a talk on Friday March 24. All talks start at 6pm. For more information, call 021 814 1794 or email Tokai.Library@capetown.gov.za.
At Meadowridge library, the Cape Town Clothing Guild and Constantia Craft Club will exhibit work on Monday March 20 and Friday March 24, respectively. Children’s author Tessa Gardener will host a story time for ages 3 to 6, at 11am on Thursday March 23. For more information, call 021 8141823.
At Wynberg library, teens can take part in a storytelling competition and write stories about their experiences of the library. For more information, contact Kim at 021 814 1495 or Vuyokazi at 021 814 1231.
Plumstead library will exhibit work by young artist Tanya Nesisa Ngandu from Monday March 20 to Friday March 24. She will also do live sketching and painting in the library.
The library is holding a story competition for ages 6 to 13, and, on Wednesday March 22, authors Dr Sindiwe Magona and Celest Lotter will read from their books, from 10am. On Thursday March 23, the public can have free hearing tests done from 9am. For more information, call the library at 021 814 1231.
Visit capetown.gov.za for more information on library week events.
