Ekurhuleni libraries deserve a caring administration
The DA calls for extended library hours in the metro.
The country recently celebrated library week, and according to the DA, residents of the metro had very little to celebrate as libraries remain in an appalling state.
“Libraries in the metro continue to fail in offering adequate services to a wider audience because of shortened library hours.
“The DA finds it disappointing that libraries across the city close at 4.30pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends,” said Clr Malcolm Maifala, DA spokesperson for community services.
The DA proposed that all libraries in the metro should be open until 6pm on weekdays and they further proposed that 10 libraries be identified to be open until 9pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturdays.
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“Not only are the library hours not conducive for students, the internet is fast becoming a necessity for our residents, but our libraries fail to offer quality services in that regard.
“In theory, the libraries should have Wi-Fi accessibility, yet this is not the case throughout Ekurhuleni,” said Maifala.
According to statistics, a majority of libraries in the city have experienced a decline in active users between 2016 and 2017.
The DA believes that libraries in the metro need a serious intervention and that the current state of libraries is a major contributor to the metro experiencing a decline in active library users.
“We will continue to call on the MMC for community services, Clr Dorah Mlambo, to prioritise on ensuring that library hours are extended to ensure wider access to the public,” said Maifala.
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