City’s Crossroads Library a hive of activity following move
14 March 2016
The City of Cape Town was given an opportunity to relocate its Crossroads Library to the new Philippi Village hub, which served as an ideal opportunity for residents and learners to access crucial learning services and materials in a more secure setting.
Major increase in library membership
Since its relocation late last year, membership numbers have increased from 3 003 in November 2015 to a phenomenal 5 457 in January this year. The number of SmartCape sessions has also doubled, with 3 200 sessions being recorded for November 2015, when compared with 1 640 in November 2014.
‘The significant increase in membership numbers by 2 500 within two months speaks for itself. In its previous location, the library suffered acts of vandalism that led to a drop in membership. I am very pleased to see that residents are once again coming out in their numbers to make use of this facility and the services on offer. The relocation of the Crossroads Library to the business hub has proven to be an extremely positive and successful move, in line with our ultimate goal to seek innovative ways of making City facilities the safe and welcoming spaces they should be.
‘City libraries have come increasingly under threat as a result of burglaries, vandalism and armed robberies. Security concerns have resulted in libraries becoming inaccessible. The City simply cannot allow vital education services to be withheld from residents because of criminal activity. The relocation of the library has helped to alleviate safety concerns, with improved measures such as 24-hour security and strict access control. The new site for the library is approximately 350 m away from the old site so all existing library users are still be able to access the new facility easily.
‘I have seen how crime and vandalism has robbed many communities of quality spaces where they can learn and play. Vandalism costs us millions of rands to fix every year. This money could be better spent on providing new facilities or upgrading existing ones,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.
Improved library services
The new Crossroads Library is bigger and more modern, with additional study and meeting spaces within a larger complex, training rooms, and education and business support services, thus creating a more collaborative and improved learning environment.
It also has a more spacious children’s library, study area, teen zone and more accessible information technology services such as SmartCape and free wireless internet (Wi-Fi). The library and the business hub are connected to the City’s fibre-optic network.
‘It is heartening to see the increase in the number of residents making use of this modern and well-equipped library. The new location ties in with the City’s strategic objective to build a safe and an opportunity city,’ said Alderman Walker.
The City’s Library and Information Services Department was offered subsidised rental as the Philippi Village executive saw the library as the perfect anchor tenant as part of their social objective to provide residents with the training and resources needed to enter the job market.
Business hub offers broad range of support services
‘The business hub brings business support services closer to this community, with services such as training in entrepreneurial skills. The provision of access to reading material and free internet services provides a one-stop-shop for our entrepreneurs and job seekers,’ added Alderman Walker.
The business hub provides a range of services in this community which speaks to the City’s goals to create inclusive, mixed-use spaces and facilities that provide our residents with access to opportunities such as educational, business and skills support services. Such meaningful public-private partnerships provide an enabling environment for economic development and job creation.
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