With literacy being a major challenge in South Africa, today’s Big Issue from Joburg Today takes a look at the casper literacy wheel, as well as the Johannesburg Library.
Ten of the City of Johannesburg’s libraries will, in the next financial year, be open seven days a week and will enjoy extended opening hours every day.
In his budget speech on 23 May, Finance MMC Dr Rabelani Dagada, said that as part of the Community Development Department’s R1-billion budget, 10 regional libraries across the city will extend their hours.
“These libraries will operate from 9am until 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays,” Dagada said.
Libraries across Joburg currently operate at various times. Most libraries are open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, with none open after 6pm. On Saturdays, they are open from 9am to 1pm and are closed on Sundays.
The extended hours, the MMC said, would ensure that children in certain areas are able to study in a safe environment with electricity.
The Sandton, Diepsloot, Yeoville, Ivory Park North, Jabavu, Protea North, Orange Farm, Florida, Ennerdale Ext 9 and Johannesburg City libraries have already started as pilot projects this month.
According to a library notice by Nobuntu Mpendulo, the director of Library and Information Services, extended hours will pilot on Saturdays for the month of June. “Limited services will be rendered on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm,” Mpendulo said.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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