Call for libraries to drive cohesion

WITH parks falling into disrepair or becoming crime hot spots, libraries could be the only refuge to develop young minds.

Durban University of Technology academic Dr Naresh Sentoo believes libraries have only scratched the surface in fostering social cohesion, and should do more to ensure that all communities felt included and embraced libraries.

Speaking at the Bessie Head Library in Pietermaritzburg this week to mark South African Library Week, Sentoo questioned whether libraries were fostering discussions with excluded people such as those living with disabilities, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities.

The “Libraries Foster Social Cohesion” theme aimed to celebrate libraries in the country.

In his speech, Sentoo challenged the quality and relevance of information provided by libraries under the current circumstances.

“We are content with providing information in libraries but we should ask whether the information is meaningful for social cohesion,” said the academic.

He suggested librarians should broaden the scope of their important contribution to communities to encompass social cohesion.

He noted how, with the collapse of infrastructure at parks and recreation facilities, libraries provided the only refuge for young people, and called on librarians to be mindful of the important role they were playing in the development of young minds.

“Let us walk the talk,” Sentoo said. He added that libraries should be leading discussions about religion and cultural practices so that some of the misunderstandings could be ironed out.

The event included distinguished guests from organisations in and outside the country, and showcased music, reading and poetry.

One of the objectives was to promote the power of reading books in communities which enabled people to better and empower themselves through knowledge from reading.