The City of Cape Town’s 103 libraries and three mobile libraries are home to a stock of more than four million books. In a year borrowers take these books home 10 million times.
The value that libraries bring to communities will be in the spotlight during National Book Week, from 5 to 11 September 2016. International Literacy Day is also celebrated in this week, on Thursday 8 September.
The City’s libraries will put on events and activities during this time, and Central City residents and workers are encouraged to visit Central Library in Darling Street to see what is on offer. It will also be an opportunity for borrowers to return late items without receiving a fine. However, they will have to pay fines accrued on previously returned material.
National Book Week was established in response to a 2007 study into the book-reading habits of adult South Africans.
Says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Anda Ntsodo: “This study and subsequent research revealed that South Africans do not have a strong reading culture, which is alarming. The results further highlighted how our reading culture is a barrier to the country’s development plans because reading and literacy are at the heart of personal growth and community development. Having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact in terms of propelling a child to higher levels of education.
“Children who read are able to better overcome socio-economic challenges. Events during this week aim to encourage reading as a fun activity, with a strong focus on promoting indigenous languages, local authors as well as library awareness and access.”
Membership of the City of Cape Town libraries is free and can be granted from birth. Residents are encouraged to join, as libraries offer access to more than just books. Library users have access to CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, and electronic resources. Public access computers and regular programmes and events are also on offer.