Bringing books to the people
If you can’t get to the library, the Msunduzi Library Service will come to you.
Msunduzi’s travelling library makes weekly trips around the city.
“The travelling library brings books to those who cannot access our libraries easily. We encourage the culture of reading and hence, aim at providing a service to all who work, study or reside in the city. Many residents are reluctant to visit the city centre and the branch libraries are not always accessible, so this service is aimed at providing them with books,” explained Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize.
Every week, from Monday to Wednesday, the mobile library bus, visits the suburbs of Montrose,
Hayfields and Prestbury, providing reading material to the elderly or anyone who is not able to physically visit the Bessie Head Library, or any of the 11 branch libraries that fall under the Msunduzi Library Service.
While the service targets both adults and children, Mkhize noted it is enjoyed by a majority of elderly members.
“Our vision is to provide a service to all residents and to have the travelling library visiting other areas and expanding this essential service,” Mkhize added.
Previously there was a mobile library servicing the Northern and Southern areas of the city, but it was temporarily suspended due to Covid-19. “The Northern and Southern branch travelling libraries will be relaunched soon and will visit schools in rural and semi-rural areas,” she said.
The Msunduzi Library also offers a housebound service which makes fortnightly visits to the frail, sick or housebound people in their own homes or old age homes. Applicants for the housebound service are required to supply a doctor’s certificate confirming their housebound status and request for the service.
To enjoy the mobile library service, you need to fill in a membership form, which can be done when visiting the mobile library. All that is required is your ID or birth certificate and proof of postal address.
The schedule for the mobile library is:
Monday, 9am – 3pm, Cascades Lifestyle Centre (at the far end of the parking area next to the stream; Spur entrance).
Tuesday, 9am – 12.15pm: New Scotland Road (opposite Jan Richter), 9am -12.15pm.
1pm – 3.30pm, Bridge Road, Prestbury (by Glostar).
Wednesday, 9am – 12.45pm, Hayfields Shopping Centre (at the top of the parking area, close to the Medical Centre).
Five books can be leased out at a time, for a duration of two weeks.
Two telephonic renewals are allowed. Users may also make requests for book titles that will be sourced from Bessie Head Library. A selection of all genres, including children’s books, fiction and non-fiction is available. Audio books are also available on request for elderly and visually impaired members.
For further information, please contact: Pranisha Parag- 033 3922627 / Sindi Mkhulisi – 033 3922649