Goodwood Library celebrates 65 years

13 March 2026

The City of Cape Town’s Goodwood Library celebrated its 65th birthday this week.

The Goodwood Library was built after the old Goodwood Hall was demolished and opened its doors on 10 March 1961.

Registered voters as well as business owners could become members at a cost of £1 per year.

 

On one side of the building, the roof consisted of a domed skylight and beneath it was a garden. In the late 80’s the garden was removed and the children’s section was created in this space.

In 1994 the library started issuing books on a computer system, and also in the 1990’s, Goodwood Library established a branch library in Edgemead.

‘Congratulations to the Goodwood Library on 65 years of serving the community. For decades, this library has been a place where residents can learn, explore new ideas and develop a lifelong love of reading. Like all of our libraries, Goodwood is a magical space where stories, knowledge and community can come together. Here’s to many more chapters for Goodwood Library,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Caption 1: Lalie le Roux, one of the Goodwood Library’s previous librarians in charge, addressed guests.

Caption 2: Portfolio Committee chair Ronel Viljoen, Councillor Cecile Janse Van Rensburg, Principal Librarian Minda Maritz, Director of Libraries and Information Services Ninnie Steyn, and subarea head Bronwen Erasmus attended the celebration.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office