Bellville Library announces temporary operational changes
30 January 2025
The library will scale back services from Monday, 3 February until Monday, 3 March, while urgent ventilation issues are addressed.
The Bellville Library’s industrial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which provides the facility with oxygen, airflow and cooling systems, has suffered irreparable damage as a result of ongoing acts of vandalism over an extended period of time.
The lack of a fully functioning HVAC during the hot summer months creates a challenge to maintain indoor air quality standards, which results in health issues such as heat exhaustion, dehydration and lethargy.
While it is anticipated that the work to address airflow and air quality problems will be completed towards the end of March 2025, the heat build-up in the library unfortunately necessitates the closure of the main facility during the upcoming hotter months for the health reason**s mentioned above.
The library will however provide limited services, which will include the following:
- holds/reservations
- inter-library loans
- drop and collect
- email correspondence
- external programmes (presented at early childhood centres, hospitals, etc
- hall bookingS
- E-resources will continue to be available 24/7
The hall booking facilities will remain fully operational as these areas are equipped with individual air conditioning systems, ensuring proper ventilation.
'We apologise to residents for any inconvenience as a result of reduced services at the Belville Library while maintenance to the HVAC system is being completed. As a caring City it is important that our facilities comply with Health and Safety standards, and so the steps being taken are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of our staff and patrons. We understand Bellville Library is a popular and well-used library, therefore the change to normal operations will only be for a limited time. I appreciate the measures that have been put in place by library management to keep some services going. We appreciate the patience of our patrons while these repairs are being completed and we look forward to resuming normal library operations as soon as the airflow and air quality concerns have been addressed,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
During this period of closure, we encourage our patrons to use any of our other public libraries. Kindly find the link for details: Library & Information Services Contact List
Alternatively, the closest libraries to Bellville Library are:
- Bellville South Library (3,3km away) – Kasselsvei Rd, Bellville South, 7530 @ 021 814 1169/70
- Parow Library (3,7 km away) – Cnr McIntyre Street and First Avenue, 7500 @ 021 444 0940
- Tygervalley Library (4,6km away) – Lower Level Tygervalley Centre, Bellville, 7530 @ 021 400 3451
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
