Two libraries celebrate a combined century
18 October 2023
The City of Cape Town’s Elsies River and Leonsdale libraries are celebrating their 60th and 40th birthdays respectively, serving their communities for a combined century.
Two City of Cape Town libraries celebrate milestone birthdays during October – Elsies River Library is 60 years old, while Leonsdale Library is 40.
'Both these libraries have become places of reading, beacons of knowledge, and anchors of the communities they serve. Both are in areas where they play a vital role in ensuring young patrons have access to resources to ensure they're able to excel and grab hold of any opportunities,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
Elsies River Library
The library was officially opened in October 1963 and back then it was all of 352 square meters.
The small facility served a growing population and it was renovated in 1992 when its floor space nearly doubled.
The library stock comprised of 36 911 books, 105 cassettes, 280 videos and 232 records.
Today the library has grown in membership and library stock of over 40 000, and still plays an integral role in the life of the community and is indelibly linked to the history of Elsies River.
In 2013 the library received a UKS Helping Hands award for best Children's programmes.
In 2015 the library received the Sabinet award for the best programmes and in 2018 the Friends of Elsies River Library received a Provincial Award for the best Friends of the Library and in 2019 they won the director's challenge for the 'Best Library programme'.
Leonsdale
The library was opened in October 1983 and was the only building on the property, surrounded by sand.
The community grew and there is a clinic, housing office and a community hall surrounding the library.
Leonsdale library won an award of recognition for outstanding service to the public in 2017 and in 2022 they celebrated the matriculants from their homework programme who had been part of the programme since primary school.
On the day of their matric ball they got ready in the library and their cars picked them up at the library.
Some of the key library programmes include a seniors club that meets every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; an active adult book club that meets monthly; and an active children's reading group that meets every week.
'Libraries play an essential role in our communities by providing access to information and resources, promoting lifelong learning, supporting literacy and education, and they serve as a community gathering space. We celebrate with these two libraries and know they will continue to be cornerstones in Elsies River and Leonsdale,' added Councillor Van der Ross.
Caption: The Leonsdale Library celebrated its 40th birthday recently.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
