Listen: Reading is power says Benoni’s Friends of the Library

The City Times visited the Benoni Library to speak to the Friends of the Library about their 15 years in service to the library and the importance surrounding World Literacy Day.

September 8, 2018

Rivelle Govindsamy 2 minutes read

Sherryl Eaton (left) is seen with Kayleigh Eckersley (10) and Nieklaas Rooinek reading books in the Children's section at the Benoni Library

It’s World Literacy Day on Saturday (September 8).

Friends of the Library, formed by members of the Benoni Van Ryn Rotary Anns and staff at the Benoni Library recently turned 15 years old.

The club collects and donates books to various groups such as the Benoni Library, schools and old age homes.

Ann Smith and Linda Gosnell (committee members of Friends of the Library), explained that not everyone has access to online media and social media.

The lack of access, they agreed, extended itself to many demographics within the community and socio-economic circumstances.

“A lot of school children still come here to use books for their school projects.

“They have limited access to computers and printing so they psychically come in to use the books and make notes from them, like the National Geographic magazines,”said Gosnell.

“The digital age is moving along quickly and not everyone is keeping up.

“It is difficult for a lot of people to keep up.

“The majority of the elderly for example are slower to learn and adapt,” said Smith.

Sherryl Eaton is a librarian assistant at the Benoni Children’s Library for 28 years and said over time she noticed a decline in the number of people visiting the library.

“The library is needed in the community.

“Reading is so important, especially in terms of education and gaining knowledge.

“The experience of reading a book is magically and here we believe anyone is capable of being an author.

https://soundcloud.com/benoni-city-times/benoni-librarys-sherryl-eaton-on-world-literacy-day

“Stories are within you and you can always write about something you know,” said Eaton.

Smith said over the years the Friends of the Library, which now has over 200 members, built up quite a bit of stock over the years and host regular Book Bashes, Smith explained, are events where books can be purchased as a form of a donation to the Friends.

The proceeds from this donation are then used to purchase new books for the Benoni Library.

According to Smith, tens of thousands of books have passed through the “friends”.

Proceeds collected from Book Bashes over the years have gone towards buying new books for the adult non-fiction section and the children’s section.

Smith noted that the Benoni public has been instrumental in the collection and donation of books over the years and urges the public to keep supporting them.

The next Book Bashes for Friends of the Library will be held on September 28 and 29.

For more information about Friends of the Library, contact Ann Smith on 083 229 9024 or Christine Drake on 011 747 7626.