Library services to benefit from R30m share of budget
THE City’s Library and Information Services (LIS) plans to spend more than R30 million during the new financial year should the draft budget be approved.
“The budget provides for the completion of a new library, upgrades, new wi-fi connections, services and the acquisition of reading material to appeal to younger and older readers,” said Mayco member for Safety, Security and Social Services JP Smith.
The budget provides R9m for the completion of the Dunoon Library, which will make it one of the most modern and environmentally friendly libraries in Cape Town.
Other City libraries will receive R7.7m for proactive maintenance. Additional services will include the provision of new wi-fi connections to allow readers to enjoy the e-resources provided.
This includes access to PressReader, which has an offering of more than 7 000 publications, including local and international material.
LIS will also spend just under R11m on books, magazines, newspapers and e-resources subscriptions to ensure that the City’s libraries have attractive and appealing reading material to engage all library patrons.
This is in addition to a new library management system which will improve the service for patrons and staff.
By the beginning of September, the City’s 104 libraries will have switched to the new system, and there are planned closures for training of library staff that will take place on a rolling schedule that will be spread over three months starting at the end of April.
The online public access catalogue will be available remotely via the internet and personal devices and will save patrons time, as the library offerings can be viewed remotely.
A single search returns results from the entire LIS collection, regardless of the format or which branch the items are available at.
“Libraries are the heart of our communities. They provide invaluable resources, encourage knowledge and support learning. The money spent on these facilities is an investment into the education and empowerment of communities,” said Smith.
Last year, the City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan was adopted by council to improve how the administration works.
“A key commitment of the plan is excellence in service delivery and leveraging technology for progress.
“We are fulfilling that mandate by providing internet access and making sure our systems benefit patrons and staff,” said Smith.