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The City of Cape Town’s multi-million rand library maintenance projects are on track with a new round of upgrades due to start within the coming months. The upgrades will allow for a myriad of improvements, upgrades, routine maintenance and modernisation. Read more below:
The City of Cape Town’s Library and Information Service will spend nearly R10 million on upgrades to a number of libraries, with some upgrades already completed.
‘Libraries have always been at the heart of the communities they serve and are accessible and safe spaces, providing access to huge resources of information and knowledge. The City is often asked why it spends money on upgrading and maintaining libraries in a technological and digital age, and it’s because these spaces are essential to creating and maintaining an educated and literate population,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
All the City’s libraries undergo maintenance and upgrades in a five year cycle.
‘Our libraries are well-loved and popular spaces where residents access vital information, and are provided with recreation and other opportunities to develop literacy and learn skills for employability,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Some of the biggest upgrades will take place at the Ravensmead, Kuilsriver, Bonteheuwel, Brown’s Farm, and Strandfontein libraries.
The Ravensmead Library closed earlier this week, with the re-opening planned for the middle of June.
Work of nearly R1,5 million at the library includes internal and external painting, replacing floor covering, creating a new study area, converting ablutions to be disabled friendly and internal layout changes.
Bonteheuwel and Brown’s Farm libraries will close on 4 February for 13 weeks to allow for painting, floor replacement, a revamp of the study area and electrical work at a cost of R1,5 million for each facility.
Nearly a million rand will be spent on upgrades to Strandfontein which has already closed and is due to open in March. Work at the library includes painting, a new issue desk, lighting upgrade, and internal layout changes.
Kuilsriver will close in the coming weeks to allow for R1,5 million upgrades which include the rebuilding of the disabled ramp, a new issue desk and IT upgrades.
In addition, the roofs of several libraries will be replaced. These are Elsies River (which is closed until February), Belhar (closed from 4 February to March), Langa (closed from 3 February to 4 March), Khayelitsha and Lwandle (the dates for closure have not been confirmed).
The opening dates are provisional if all goes according to plan.
‘The money spent on these facilities is an investment into the education, future and empowerment of our communities. Libraries culturally enrich the areas they are in and serve as a community focal point. Libraries offer a safe space and vital resources that might not be available elsewhere,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
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