The City of Johannesburg’s Libraries have been shortlisted for the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards 2020 for the Library of the Year Award. In a statement by the City of Johannesburg, the London Book Fair is a book-publishing trade fair held annually.
“It is a global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. The City of Johannesburg Libraries South Africa is contending for the top prize with Maadi Public Library (Egypt) and Shanghai Library (China),” read the statement.
Submission from the City entailed:
- A number of libraries within the City that have done excellent work in implementing eLearning programmes working with very limited resources, and continuous introduction of technology-based reading and writing development programmes.
- City of Johannesburg libraries eLearning programmes that have changed lives of thousands of children through the mobile literacy reading and story development programme since 2017.
- Collaboration with non-governmental organisations and also initiating of various gamification activities involving reading and writing.
- Expansion of the programme by introducing various reading apps such as the recently launched Google’s Bolo app, and African storybook app where children use tablets to access reading material, read and create stories by themselves.
According to eLearning manager Jeff Nyoka, their programmes have led to an increase in the number of youths using libraries to access free Wi-Fi, computers and occasional organised training and activities on digital skills.
“Data is expensive in South Africa and libraries have played a role in improving employability by giving youth (and adults) not only access to computers, laptops but also free Wi-Fi to search for jobs or even start businesses,” said Nyoka.
He added that they have also initiated successful programmes targeting marginalised communities, for example, the homeless in Randburg Library, and the senior citizens in Murray Park to ensure inclusivity and to bridge the digital divide.
The manager said that even though they are nominated alongside two other prestigious libraries who might have better resources and infrastructure, their eLearning programme stands out because their focus is on community development, resource sharing among branches and the use of technology to expand library services outside library walls.
Nyoka said, “The shortlisting for the award and even winning this award will not only encourage and motivate librarians in Joburg and South Africa but it will hopefully attract potential sponsors and partnerships that can support more library programmes.”
The awards run from 9 to 15 March 2020 at the Pergola Olympia, London. This hugely popular International Excellence Awards has seen over 50 nations receive recognition since the awards started.
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