Durbanville Library: 100 not out
26 May 2023
The milestone puts Durbanville Library in the distinguished company of
several other City of Cape Town libraries that have already passed the 100 year
mark.
Durbanville Library joins an elite group of centenarians which includes Bellville, Rondebosch, Observatory and Simon's Town libraries.
'What makes the milestone even more special, is that Durbanville is an incredibly popular library, with the highest membership of the City's 101 libraries and one satellite library. Throughout its history, the library has expanded to serve a growing population, and become a beacon within the community. And, it is just getting better with age. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the staff for their commitment and dedication, but also the loyal patrons. Without the people leading the charge, none of this would have been possible. Congratulations on this historic birthday and for truly being the heartbeat of the community,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The Vrede Street library service, founded in 1904, was originally funded through a membership subscription scheme and later subsidised by the provincial government and municipality.
In 1923, the library was moved from Vrede Street to two rooms in the old Durbanville City Hall, where the collection at the time was hosted by the Anglican Church in a storeroom.
In 1960, the library was moved to the Durbanville Civic Centre and although there were concerns that the new location would not be accessible to all residents, the library thrived.
Finally, in 1973, the library found a new home on Koeberg Road, where it still operates today.
Due to the increasing membership, the library was expanded and upgraded in 1987 and re-opened in 1989.
As part of the Durbanville 200 Festival, then-ward councillor Denise Robinson secured a donation from the Shuttleworth Foundation for the upgrade of Durbanville Library as well as the construction of a new library in Fisantekraal.
The foundation generously funded another upgrade in 2008 which included the building of the hall and the extension of the children's section.
Durbanville Library currently has the second highest circulation in the City Of Cape Town with about 80 000 items.
The library has 8 169 active members and has shown the biggest growth in membership from January to April, with 1 492 new members joining the library.
Services include a book borrowing service for all ages, E-resources, Smart Cape and free Wi-Fi, reference and study area, children and youth services, outreach programmes to schools, old age homes, as well as hosting cultural and community events in the library and the hall.
Some of the library's most popular items are English and Afrikaans fiction, while classic fairy tales are a firm favourite among younger patrons.
Under the leadership of principal librarian René Schoombee, Durbanville Library has been transforming young lives in the community with their 'It takes a village to raise readers Programme'.
But there is more to the library than just books.
For many residents, it is an essential hub of social and cultural engagement with its range of activities and clubs catering to all ages and interests.
A weekly games afternoon gives visitors a chance to play board or card games with friends or strangers in a warm and welcoming environment.
The junior chess club, which meets every Tuesday, is great for introducing children to the world of competitive chess and developing critical thinking skills.
There are also traditional library activities, such as story hours and book clubs, and sketching classes for teenagers who would like to develop their drawing skills.
Library staff regularly present outreach programmes at schools in the Durbanville area, while a dynamic Friends of Durbanville Library hosts book sales throughout the year to support the library's initiatives.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
