Masiphumelele Library to open upgraded computer lab
Masiphumelele Library will open its upgraded computer lab on Wednesday, 25 April 2012. The upgraded facility will provided computers with the latest software and will also provide wireless access to users. The computer lab provides the residents of Masiphumelele access to computer facilities and is also used as a classroom where computer classes are provided. The upgrading of the lab was made possible when the library was awarded a grant by the Elelctronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) as part of their Public Library Innovation Programme.
EIFL is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to enabling access to knowledge through libraries in more than 45 developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. EIFL’s Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP) supports public libraries in developing and transition countries to use information and communication technology to implement innovative community development services. EIFL-PLIP also shares knowledge and encourages replication of successful public library services that serve community needs. Learn more at www.eifl.net
Masiphumelele library is one of 14 winners of an EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP) replication grant. The grants enable public libraries in developing and transition countries to replicate successful public library services created during the first phase of EIFL-PLIP.
Masiphumelele Public Library is replicating the Internet Access and Training Programme (IATP) of the Ghana Library Board, in Tamale (Northern Ghana). IATP builds young people’s leadership and technology skills to increase their chances in life and employability. Masiphumelele library is implementing an extended Internet Access and Youth-centred ICT training service in partnership with NGO Edunova who is upgrading the computer training facility.
Libraries to conduct simultaneous storytelling event in celebration of World Book Day
The City of Cape Town’s Library and Information Services Department will be conducting storytelling sessions on Monday, 23 April 2012 in celebration of World Book Day.
World Book day is an annual celebration held on the 23rd April. World Book Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days) is a yearly event on 23 April, organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the death of Miguel de Cervantes, and the birth of Vladimir Nabokov among others. (Source: Wikipedia)
The City’s libraries will be conducting simultaneous storytelling sessions on Monday, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Most of the libraries, including the Mobile Library Services will be conducting these sessions, either at the library or their local schools. The celebration of books and storytellers will be done by librarians, authors and volunteers.
Full details of the programmes can be found here - 
World Book Day 2012 - simultaneous storytelling.pdf.
Libraries host holiday programmes during the March and April school holidays
The City of Cape Town's public libraries will be hosting various holiday programmes across the City to entertain children during this period. Programmes vary from arts and craft activities to DVD shows, quizzes and games. Please click here ( Easter Holiday Programme 2012) to view the holiday programmes.
Libraries celebrate South African Library Week, 17 - 24 March 2012
The City of Cape Town's public libraries will be celebrating SA Library Week from 17-24 March 2012. Special programmes to celebrate this week have been organised to highlight the roles that libraries play in developing their communities.
Please click here to download the Library Week programme.
Open Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) now available
The OPAC is a service provided by the City of Cape Town's Library & Information Services Department which allows the public access to the library catalogue in order to search for library material. It also allows library patrons access to view outstanding and reserved materials as well as renew their library materials. OPACs are currently available in the following libraries:
Adriaanse, Athlone, Belhar, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis, Bonteheuwel, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Bridgetown, Brooklyn, Claremont, Delft, Delft South, Durbanville, Edgemead, Eikendal, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Fish Hoek, Goodwood, Gordon's Bay, Grassy Park, Guguletu, Huguenot Square, Kensington, Koeberg, Kuils River, Langa, Lansdowne, Leonsdale, Macassar, Masakhane, Meadowridge, Melton Rose, Mfuleni, Milnerton, Mowbray, Nyanga, Observatory, Ocean View, Parow, Pinelands, Plumstead, Ravensmead, Rondebosch, Rylands, Scottsdene, Sea Point, Somerset West, Southfield, Strand, Table View, Tokai, Town Centre, Wynberg