Montclair library doors shut again due to city’s rental arrears
"This is totally unacceptable and yet another indication of poor management in the city" - Cllr Gavin Hegter
WHILE Durban libraries celebrate and host the launch of the One City, One Book initiative, residents from Montclair and surround areas will have no access from a library as from today (Thursday, 21 September).
Montlands library situated inside Montclair Mall has shut its doors ‘until further notice’, according to a note stuck on its closed doors.
This closure marks the second time the library has been shut since early June. Ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter confirmed to the SUN that the library has had to shut due to Ethekwini Municipality having rental arrears. “I confirmed with the librarian that they shut the doors this morning. I tried to follow-up with the relevant departments but they couldn’t or refused to answer my questions,” said Cllr Hegter.
His main concern is for the majority users of the library who now are left in the dark about the future of the facility. “The youth will suffer greatly as they use this place for school resources and studying. With exams coming up, this will certainly disadvantage them. This is totally unacceptable and yet another indication of poor management in the city,” he said. “The fact that the city is promoting reading with this One City One Book Programme is ironic,” he added.
AlSO READ:Â Montlands library re-opens after unpaid rental dispute
The reading facility has been situated within Montclair for about 35 years, however there is serious concern about its future considering the unexplained lapses that have plagued it in recent months.
