The City’s Kuils River Library turned 60 earlier this year, and celebrations were held this week to commemorate the milestone, including a birthday party with the community today, 21 October 2017.

‘Kuils River Library is a cornerstone in this community. The City acknowledges the role it plays in education and providing information and a social and recreational space for residents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

The library was officially opened on 25 March 1957, although a group of residents circulated a small collection of books among themselves for decades before then.

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Circa 1952, the library committee realised that they needed a dedicated building and decided to build a library. They raised funds and purchased two plots on the corner of Carinus and Van der Stel Streets, where the library still stands today.

In 1956 the library committee donated R5 000 and the two plots of land to the municipality. On 25 March 1957, the new Cape Dutch style building was inaugurated and on 1 April 1957 the Kuils River Library joined the Cape Provincial Library Services.

In May 1957 the first training course for librarians in the then Western Province was held at the Kuils River Library. Neighbouring towns did not have libraries and residents from Bellville, Durbanville, Brackenfell and Kraaifontein came to make use of Kuils River Library.

In 1964 Mariana Bosman was appointed as the first full-time librarian, and at that stage membership was 900 and the circulation was 33 000 per year. The library now boasts a membership of 6 290, with a circulation of more than 188 500 annually.

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Since its opening, the Kuils River Library has been extended twice. The Cape Dutch building with its gable roof is rich in character and is well utilised by the whole community.

Kuils River Library accommodates a large number of learners and students. The library services five high schools, eight primary schools, 20 crèches, three higher education institutions, and neighbouring areas.

The library is exceptionally busy on Saturdays when families take time out to visit.

‘As I grew up in Kuils River, I started visiting the library there from around the age of five with my mother. Over the years I borrowed and read many books from there. It has been amazing to see the library faring so well and its continued growth is an indication of its contribution to the community.

‘The library is a facility that allows residents to interact, learn, communicate and share. This is in line with the City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan goal to provide spaces which enable growth and learning,’ said Alderman Smith.

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