Gauteng launches library week in Tarlton Library
"As Gauteng leaders we’ll continue to deliver more libraries to the people to ensure we achieve our objectives"
Gauteng launched its version of Library Week on 19 March at the Tarlton Library, with the Member of the Executive Council for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko as the host.
The theme of this year’s library week is ‘Libraries: Heart of the community’.
The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) came up with this theme in order to re-emphasise the idea that libraries belong to the community and are central to it.
All libraries, whether they be school, public, academic or special libraries, are at the heart of their communities, offering vital resources to address community needs, and are places where the community gathers. They are open to their own communities, and provide essential services to help people and neighbourhoods thrive. From internet access and help with homework, to story times and language programmes, libraries provide free accessible space, information resources and services for everyone.
Libraries have positioned themselves in the space between aspiration and delivery, providing support for education, and are the heart of every community.
In addition to this, in 2018 public libraries in South Africa will be commemorating 200 years of existence, as the first National Library in South Africa (South African Library) was found in Cape Town in 1818. This was the forerunner of the current National Library of South Africa, Cape Town campus, which makes it an ideal venue for the launch of South African Library Week 2018.
“It’s important that library week takes place during Human Rights Month, because access to information is a basic human right.
As Gauteng leaders we’ll continue to deliver more libraries to the people to ensure we achieve this and encourage reading communities,” said Mazibuko.
For more information about the LIASA, visit https://www.liasa.org.za/salw-2018/ or contact Senovia Welman, the LIASA National PRO, on 078 132 5965 or senovia@ufs.ac.za. Alternatively, you can contact Mandla Ntombela, the LIASA President, on 083 478 4626 or president@liasa.org.za.
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