Montlands library re-opens after unpaid rental dispute

Montlands library in Montclair Mall re-opened today (Friday, 30 June) after the city council failed to pay the rental bill for three months.

Ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter confirmed to the Sun that the mall’s managing agents and the city had been locked in talks, following the library closure two weeks ago.

The city’s real estate department had apparently failed to pay the rental bill for three months, and failed to renew the lease for the premises, according to Hegter.

The re-opening offers relief for the regular users of the library, including hundreds of school children who rely on its reference resources and those who don’t have access to the internet or computers.

READ: Montlands library club to breed love for reading.

For book fanatics, including adult library users, the thought of having their haven closed permanently was a frightening prospect. Brenda Neal said the library plays an integral role in the development of the community. “I am old school and grew up going to the library as a child. It offered great excitement for all of us. My love of reading was established at a young age. Even now, I neglect house work if the book I am reading is good. I need to feel a book in my hand and be able to turn the pages. For many in our community the library is the only source of reference to information. For others it supplies hours of entertainment and escape into the world of fiction.

For about 35 years the library has served the community and to have it closed for even two weeks, proved to be a hardship for those who use it. “It’s always full of all types of people. The computers are constantly in use by young and old alike. You will always find someone there doing research with many books open for reference material,” added Neal.

Without warning, a notice was posted at the library entrance two weeks ago stating that it was closed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

Librarian Lionel Reddy expressed his joy at the re-opening. “We apologise for the inconvenience and note that there will be no penalty for books returned late. The community would have suffered if we stayed closed. This is more than just a job for my staff and I. This library is for the community, especially the youth who rely heavily on our service.”

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