All four public libraries in Benoni are now fully operational; however, these facilities have not been immune to the impact of the pandemic.
Strict protocols are still in place for the use of the facilities and limited numbers of users allowed into the buildings at a time.
The pandemic saw libraries throughout the country shut down in-person operations, negatively impacting students and families who are reliant on libraries as places to study and access vital resources.
However, the gradual easing of lockdown measures has seen the metro partially reopen the City’s valuable resource, but with minimum services and staff, to reduce workers’ exposure to Covid-19.
The good news is, as things stand, all of the City’s libraries are now fully operational with all their employees back at their workplace, so they can improve the delivery of services.
The City Times recently visited the Benoni and Actonville libraries, and librarians at the centres confirmed they have reopened a portion of important services the City’s libraries offer. However, internet access at the Actonville Library is not available as the facility does not have the capacity to keep the computers at the recommended 1.5m distance.
Services include:
• Borrowing items, such as books, CDs and DVDs.
• Reference service, inter-library loan, auxiliary services, information services, study facilities, mobile library buses, business corners and many others.
• Online or virtual library services, such as digital and audiobook circulation, as well as the services provided in the libraries’ reference, senior and junior sections.
Safety measures
• The facilities are decontaminated at least twice a week, which includes ‘fogging’, disinfection and deep-cleaning.
• Both staff and patrons are scanned and sanitised at the entrance, and the facilities have made sanitiser sufficiently available for people to use frequently. The wearing of a mask and social distancing rules are enforced.
• Have reduced capacity to allow everyone more space to enjoy their visit.
• Returned books are placed in a quarantine room before they find their place back on the shelves – where they are ready to be issued to borrowers.
Library hours
Benoni libraries open their doors between 09:00 and 16:30, Monday to Friday.
The library closes for an hour during the week at the Actonville Library (mostly around 12:00) to allow the service providers to decontaminate the facility and the Benoni Library is closed on Wednesday.
For more information about the library services contact your respective library directly or email info.libraries@ekurhuleni.gov.za
The public is encouraged to return borrowed books.
Contacts
Benoni Library: 011 999 6846 or 011 999 6840
Actonville Library: 011 999 6865
Daveyton Library: 011 999 6867
Wattville Library: 011 999 7261
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