City library offers learning and upliftment
25 March 2021
Today the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, resumed a series of library visits – this time at Delft Library - to highlight the services available to the public. Study spaces, books, magazines, audio visual material and access to the free internet service via SmartCape, are available for the benefit of residents in this community.
‘This library has been open since 1993 and has for the past nearly 30 years, provided a space for learning, enrichment, knowledge and the wonder of storytelling. Libraries offer a quiet place and an abundance of information through its books and materials available to its patrons. Whether it is a novel or a textbook, they enrich the minds of young and old. Between these walls, is a wealth of learning opportunities and I encourage the community to make use of and treasure this community resource. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the City of Cape Town has kept most of its libraries available to the public in a safe and responsible manner. There is significant value for all members of the community at public libraries and with internet and digital connectivity, these facilities are closing the gap to provide access to information for all,’ said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
The SmartCape service was launched in 2005, and is designed to help the citizens of Cape Town access the internet, free of charge, at libraries across the City. There are more than 39 000 books and other material available for loan at the Delft library for use by the public.
The library, in line with Covid-19 protocols, can accommodate a capacity of 50 people. Fourteen students can make use of the study space at any given time, as well as four of the eight SmartCape computers, due to social distancing, providing access to the internet. There is also WiFi available in the library for patrons.
‘Our libraries are valuable community resources, and I call on residents who are not yet members of their local library, to take that first step and sign up. Delft Library serves a diverse community and is a hub of activity and engagement for young and old alike. The library houses a well-used reference and project collection pulled together to meet the needs of learners and students in the area and elsewhere. Children and teachers in the area from the more than 50 ECDs and 20 schools, are well acquainted with the space and offerings at Delft Library. Of course, during the current Covid environment, these activities are limited, and when they take place, are strictly managed to adhere to the required protocols to ensure the safety of staff and library patrons. This hub in Delft is a beacon of learning and upliftment for the community’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health, Zahid Badroodien.
Below is a list of libraries offering browsing, study space, SmartCape internet access and drop and collect services:
Libraries open for drop and collect, browsing, study access as well as SmartCape access:
Adriaanse, Athlone, Avondale, Belhar, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis. Brooklyn, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Bridgetown, Brown’s Farm, Camps Bay, Claremont, Central, Crossroads, Delft, Delft-South, Dunoon, Durbanville, Eersteriver, Eikendal, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Fish Hoek, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Hanover Park, Harare, Hangberg, Huguenot Square, Kensington, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Kuyasa, Kloofstreet, Lansdowne, Langa, Leonsdale, Lotus River, Macassar, Maitland, Mamre, Manenberg, Masakhane, Masiphumelele, Meadowridge, Melton Rose, Milnerton, Moses Mabhida, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Ocean View, Ottery, Parow, Philippi East, Pinelands, Retreat, Rondebosch, Rylands, Colin Eglin Sea Point, Scottsdene, Simonstown, Southfield, Strandfontein, Strand, Table View, Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre, Valhalla Park, Vredehoek, Westridge, and Woodstock.
Staff at the above-mentioned libraries will follow strict Covid-19 protocols. Patrons will be screened prior to entering our libraries to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff. All visitors are required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and adhere to social distancing protocols.
Libraries open for Drop and Collect only
Goodwood, Mowbray, Plumstead, Rocklands, and Bloubergstrand
Libraries open for Drop and Collect and browsing only
Edgemead, Khayelitsha Site B, Kulani, Gordon’s Bay, Tygervalley, Kommetjie and Pelican Park Satellite
Libraries open for Drop and Collect, browsing and SmartCape access
Lwandle/Hector Pietersen, PD Paulse, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Tokai, Observatory, Somerset West and Wynberg
Libraries open for Drop and Collect, browsing and study access only
Bonteheuwel, Heideveld, Hout Bay, Kuilsriver, Meadowridge, Eerste River and Nazeema Isaacs
Libraries that are closed
Bellville library – ventilation problems
Wesfleur library – interior ceiling problems
The following operating hours will apply:
Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 and Saturday 09:00-12:00.
Loan period – 30 days
Renewal – one renewal for additional 30 days
Borrowing privileges – 20 items including five audio-visual items (CDs/DVDs)
No reservations or inter-library loans will be done at present
Patrons and visitors are requested to acquaint themselves with the capacity limits for each of the services by accessing the information on the Online Public Catalogue (OPAC) at https://opac.capetown.gov.za/client/en_US/a/
Caption 1: Executive Mayor Dan Plato with Delft Library staff
Caption 2: Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health Cllr Zahid Badroodien and Executive Mayor Dan Plato browse books at the Delft Library.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
