City librarians share literary knowledge and innovation

12 September 2023

The City of Cape Town’s Library and Information Services (LIS) Department, in collaboration with the Western Cape Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and Western Cape Library Services, presented the second Public Library Seminar last week. The seminar focused on initiatives taken by LIS staff to address the needs of communities across an evolving city. 

'Public libraries have faced unprecedented challenges and changes in service delivery in recent years, much of it as a result of the pandemic which deeply impacted the profession and services. The seminar provided an opportunity to reflect on the experience and to share the challenges, best practices and innovative solutions introduced in public libraries to enhance the services provided and to remain relevant.

'The presentations shared by our staff will improve the knowledge and understanding of the environment as public library workers in leading key projects that are current and related to the public library sector, ' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

'While also facing the ongoing energy crisis, libraries have been forced to reconsider ways of reaching library patrons and communities. During these vexing times, libraries have remained a beacon of hope and continued to offer much-needed services in innovative ways. This means they have to keep up with the demand for services with proactive involvement in the development and promotion of varied collections, including e-resources on digital platforms, different applications and enhanced technologies, which are accessible at library facilities and remotely,' said Councillor Van der Ross.

More than 400 people attended the seminar each day.

Some of the captivating presentations were:

• Kurwin Brinkhuys – Adult Librarian, Bellville Library:
  
  His presentation explored the challenges and opportunities of the digital shift in public libraries, and examining the ways in which libraries are leveraging technology to better serve their communities.
  
   
• Shadwell Clint Overmeyer – Assistant Librarian, Valhalla Park Library:
  
  He introduced the Valhalla Park Library Shelf Warriors, an outreach programme which encourages children in the community to visit the library and be part of the book club.
  
  
• Lonwabo Joseph Mabele - Reference Librarian, Brackenfell Library:
  His presentation explored the potential of Whatsapp Business as a tool for providing reference services to youth in South African libraries. The presentation discussed the challenges faced by libraries in serving youth, including limited resources and changing user needs, and proposed Whatsapp as a way to address these challenges.
  
   
  

'Our librarians are innovators making use not only of technology, but also finding new ways to encourage our young patrons to visit the library and explore the vast expanse of knowledge contained at these facilities,' said Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office