The City of Cape Town’s libraries, including Central Library in the CBD, are making the most of National Library Week from 18 to 25 March. During this period, they will be hosting special programmes for all ages, including storytelling, arts and crafts, membership drives, and poetry sessions.
Says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Social Services and Safety, Alderman JP Smith: "This year’s theme, 'My Library, Your Library', seeks to reinforce libraries as being the heart of the community and encourage residents to take ownership of these vital facilities."
You can view a full list of programmes on the City’s website: http://tinyurl.com/h3lafwd
Also in celebration of National Library Week, librarians will take to the streets in a fun road march that will start at Central Library in Darling Street at 10h00 on Friday 17 March. The march will include a mobile library bus, and library staff will hand out promotional material.
National Library Week coincides with Fine-Free Week, during which patrons who return overdue library materials will be exempt from a fine. Please note: if you return a currently overdue item, you will not incur a fine. However, if you have already accrued a fine, you will still be liable to pay it.
Facts about the City of Cape Town’s libraries
- The City has 102 libraries, as well as a mobile service consisting of three buses.
- There are 1 075 984 registered members on the library system, of which 349 953 actively used City libraries in 2015-16.
- 74 331 new members joined in 2015-16.
- The City recorded 11 545 461 visits to its libraries during 2015-16.
- 4 608 431 items (books, CDs and DVDs) are available at the City's libraries.
- The City's libraries circulated 10 135 652 items during 2015-16.
- The City's libraries held 20 809 community programmes and events, attended by 92 014 people, during 2015-16.