The City of Johannesburg’s Libraries and Information Services Unit in collaboration with the Library and Information Association of South Africa Gauteng South branch launched the South African Library Week celebrations on Wednesday, 22 March 2023, at Noordgesig Library. Under the theme “Libraries: telling powerful stories”, Dr Nthabiseng Raduvha, the Chairperson of Library and Information Association of South Africa Gauteng South branch, said that the job of a librarian is to serve the community.

She encouraged librarians to go beyond the call of duty to support disadvantage communities.

“Often times the library serves as the only safe and welcoming space for community members and offers free access information,” said Dr Raduvha.

The City’s libraries play an important role in reducing the impact of inequality and poverty in children’s learning by promoting literacy.

Through the Johannesburg reading and development programmes, an estimated 55000 primary pupils have developed reading and comprehensive skills that form the foundation for long-life learning.

The City’s libraries have the challenge of evolving in an increasingly digital era that threatens traditional brick and mortar libraries.

Through the CoJ e-learning website, City Libraries are ensuring that they stay relevant by providing free computer literacy programs, coding and online courses from Google Digital Skills for Africa and IBM-Digital Nation Africa targeted at job seekers.

​Through the City libraries users also have access to free e-resources such as academic journals, audio books and digital books.

As part of the Library Week celebrations from 24 March to 31 March 2023, there will be pop-up libraries across the City. Members of the public are invited to visit the pop-up libraries and find out about the special services that libraries offer

Library Week also provides an opportunity for community members to return long due books without paying a fine.

Written by Ayanda Radebe

23/03/2023