Libraries march into a new chapter
08 March 2024
The City of Cape Town’s libraries will kick off South African Library Week (SALW) with a march through the Cape Town city centre on Friday, 15 March 2024. This coincides with the Fine Free Week from 18 to 23 March 2024, when patrons are able to return outstanding items without paying any fines.
The theme for this year’s SALW is ‘Libraries foster social cohesion’.
‘Our libraries provide access to information and engage communities on several platforms. We provide the tools for communication and learning, which includes making material accessible and available to all our patrons. During Fine Free Week, our patrons have the opportunity to play their part and return outstanding material so we can share the wealth of knowledge and enjoyment,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
There was a slight decline in the number and value of outstanding items from City libraries.
Currently there are 35 411 items valued at R3,9 million outstanding, compared to 39 000 with a value of R4,6 million last year.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series remains the most popular outstanding item at City libraries.
| Title | Author | Copies outstanding |
| Wrecking ball | Jeff Kinney | 28 |
| Double down | Jeff Kinney | 23 |
| Geography, Grade 12 study guide | Susan Rushton | 22 |
| History, Grade 12 study guide | A Rogers | 20 |
| Cinderella | Various authors | 19 |
| Dog days | Jeff Kinney | 19 |
| The deep end | Jeff Kinney | 19 |
| The getaway | Jeff Kinney | 19 |
| English, Grade 12 study guide | Sue Jordaan | 18
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‘While we are enthused by the drop in the number of items that are outstanding, the fact that material worth nearly R4 million is still unaccounted for, remains a bitter pill to swallow. Our libraries have limited budgets, and so are not always able to replace items. So, I want to encourage our patrons to return outstanding items as it will give others a fair opportunity to enjoy them, and ease the load on our library collection,’ said Councillor Van der Ross.
A number of City libraries will celebrate SALW with targeted events throughout the week.
In addition, the Central, Wynberg, Langa, Harare and Pinelands libraries will be part of the literary programme of the Open Book Festival.
| Date | Time | Event | Venue |
13 & 14 March | 15:30 – 17:00 | Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Workshop: Grades 10 - 12 welcome. | Pinelands Library |
| 14 March | 11:00 – 12:00 | Storytime with Lebohang Masango. | Langa Library |
14 March 16 March | 15:30 – 17:00 10:00 – 12:00 | Join acclaimed illustrator, Clyde Beech, for an illustration workshop focusing on character development. Participants must be available for both sessions. Grade 10 - 12 learners are welcome. | Langa Library |
| 15 March | 11:00 – 12:00 | Join acclaimed storyteller and illustrator Alex Latimer and co-author Diane Awerbuck. | Pinelands Library |
| 16 March | 11:00 – 12:00 | Nal'ibali storytime. | Harare Library |
| 18 March | 11:00 – 12:00 | Storytime at Central Library | Central Library in four different areas |
| 19 March | 14:00 – 16:00 | How to write a children's book with Thabiso Mahlape, founder of Blackbird Books. Open to adults. | Wynberg Library
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For further details or to book your spot, please enquire at the relevant library.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
