The Alex library at the Thusong Service Centre on 8th Avenue, Alexandra, has recently reopened after its closure for a refurbishment in 2012.
The entire centre had to be closed soon after the renovation following damages caused by arsonists who burnt part of the complex during the 2013 national and provincial elections.
Announcing the reopening of the library on 17 August, its senior librarian, Yoliswa Kgasago, said they expect to attract patronage from upper secondary school pupils, especially matric pupils about to write their preliminary examinations, and tertiary level students writing their examinations.
Kgasago said before the closure, hundreds of secondary and tertiary students, casual readers and those doing adult basic education visited the library on a daily basis.
“We will continue to provide them with fiction, non-fiction, school and university-prescribed materials and other subject books. We also provide loaned books wanted by our clients,” she said.
Kgasago added that they also lent books to local non-profit organisations to promote a culture of reading, especially among orphaned and vulnerable children, the disabled and the elderly.
The refurbishing has also added more computers for free internet services and will continue to provide printing and photocopying services at 70 cents a page.
Readers can loan books for 21 days with fines of R4.70 per book per week for late returns.
Kgasago said to encourage a culture of literacy among the public, they will conduct competitions and celebrate national and international events associated with reading and education.
Meanwhile, she urged students to maintain the books well. “Some tear out pages when they could be assisted with photocopies which are cheap.”
