Modderfontein Library to get a face-lift

The Modderfontein Library will be given a face-lift as part of the development of Lakeside Shopping Centre that is currently under way.

Ms Claire Morgan, marketing manager for Nevada Group said the library will remain in its current position and operate as normal.

“There are no plans to remove or relocate the library. The future plan is for the library to be relocated to the new shopping centre once the project is completed after 2018. We then intend to upgrade the library with modern facilities which will attract new young readers to the library.”

With over 40 years servicing the community of Modderfontein, the library is well known.

The library is known for hosting holiday programmes where children from three years of age and older are welcome to join the fun, listen to stories and enjoy the magic of books.

The library also hosts a monthly book club, where they invite different authors.

Mr Keith Martin, a Modderfontein resident, said AECI built the library for the community in 1970.

“The administrator of the Transvaal, Honourable SGJ van Niekerk, opened it on October 20, 1970,” said Mr Martin.

He said the casino building was designed with a specific hall set aside for a library.

“The Modderfontein Library has been a big part of the community for many years. When the library building was built, there were well-placed lights hanging from the ceiling as well as some wall lights to ensure that there was adequate lighting for reading.

“The library doors were never locked and it has always been open to all Modderfontein residents to use as a reading room. In the old days, the library used to purchase books from the CNA in Johannesburg and from the Juta Book Shop,” said Mr Martin.

“This library played a vital part in serving the needs of relatively isolated populations of Modderfontein, especially the needs of the many young chemists, laboratory assistants, process workers and apprentices as well as young female employees and nursing staff who lived in the various blocks of single quarters on the property.

“In the 1960s, a section of residents requested that the company provide a better library facility on the property that would cater more for their children with special emphasis on school projects. After several considerations, it was decided to request that TVL Provincial Library service provide a library on the north side of Queens Road at the local shopping centre which would be more central,” said Mr Martin.

“Afterwards, a modern building was built. The original library in the casino building was closed down and most of its books were donated to the new library and the rest went to the women’s welfare organisation of Modderfontein.

“It is clear that the Modderfontein Library has been a cornerstone of the community for many years,” Mr Martin said.

More information is available at www.shoplakeside.co.za.