Library in users’ bad books

A LIBRARY should be a welcoming, comfortable environment where people gather to read, study and interact. But this is not the case at the Johannesburg City Library, according to a group calling themselves Friends of the City of Johannesburg Library.

They say there’s no access to drinking water unless users go to the bathrooms.

The windows don’t open and the computer lab isn’t functional.

All of this makes the environment unfavourable for learning.

Friends of the City Johannesburg Library recently handed over a petition with 192 signatures on it to the library’s management.

These two parties were supposed to hold a meeting on Monday, but it was cancelled without any reasons, according to the Friends of the City Johannesburg Library’s Selekanye Seribe.

“We were ready to discuss the issues affecting us, but the meeting was cancelled an hour before with no reasons communicated to us.

“I use the computer lab at the library to conduct my research because I do not have internet access at home, but since the lab stopped working it has been really difficult,” said Seribe.

Spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg, Nthatisi Modingoane, said their team had visited the library and were perplexed by allegations that the facility was not in good condition.

“The Massive Open Online Varsity electronic classroom is working perfectly and free wi-fi access is available.

“There is a water dispenser in the library where patrons can get water,” he said.

Modingoane confirmed a meeting had been scheduled but then rescheduled as key role players were not available.

Since the computer lab stopped working it has been difficult