The Hercules library had to close its doors due to the apparent non-payment of the electricity bill by the department of education.
According to a source, the library shut down after a dispute between the department of education and Tshwane metro on the handling of partnership payments.
Being located on Hoërskool Hercules’ property, the school’s governing body (SGB) had to intervene.
“Since there was no payment being made, the school’s SGB stepped in and had the power switched off,” the source said.
The closure of the library has affected pupils who used the library for study.
Andile Mngoma said she now had to study at home because going to other libraries was costly and they were far.
“It is difficult to study at home with the library closed. There is no privacy at home and that is a problem for me,” she said.
Another pupil, Meagan Smit said her parents now spent more money on petrol because they had to take her to other libraries in the west to get books or to study.
“Something needs to be done about this matter,” she said. “This is not the first time the library has been closed because of unpaid electricity bills.”
People who want to use a library can visit the Mountain View library, in Mignon Street across the Mountain View Spar (012-379-1338) or the Mayville library in the Mayville Mall (012-379-1338).
No comment had been received from the education department by the time of print.
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