Watch: Parkhurst Library roof collapse raises fears of complete rebuild
Thousands of books have been removed from a damaged northern Johannesburg library as residents await clarity on its future.
Community members in Parkhurst are still reeling after a sudden roof collapse two weeks ago destroyed sections of their local library.
Library and information services management returned to the facility over the weekend of August 8 and 9 to remove books and other materials before the severe weather that had been forecast could cause further damage.
It has been a difficult few weeks for the Parkhurst Library community, reports the Rosebank Killarney Gazette.
According to a notice posted on the door on July 23, the library had been temporarily closed, although it was unclear how long the closure would last. Eight days later, on July 31, the roof collapsed.
The Parkhurst Residents and Businesses Association had been in constant communication with the City of Johannesburg about the library and efforts to protect its contents.
Fears of complete rebuild
Ward councillor Tim Truluck described the collapse as devastating and said the extent of the damage appeared serious.
“It is very sad to see the collapse of the roof at the Parkhurst Library. We are waiting to see the outcome of the insurance report. From the looks of it, the library will have to be completely rebuilt.”
He said the speed at which the roof collapsed had startled the community.
Resident Matthew Myers said the community was devastated by the state of the library.
“The library is a treasured part of the Verity Park precinct and is well used right across the community. Residents are genuinely upset at what’s happened.”
He added that the swift removal of the books by the City’s library and information services management came as a relief.
Maintenance warnings
Meanwhile, Helen Zille, mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, visited the site last week and said she was shocked by the devastation.
“It looks like the aftermath of a tornado,” she said.
Zille claimed the City of Johannesburg had been alerted some time ago about a leaking roof and that various organisations had been willing to repair it. However, she said the City had indicated it would undertake the repairs itself.
“It is symptomatic of them [the City of Johannesburg] waiting until something collapses and then totally abandoning it and still doing nothing,” she said.
The City of Johannesburg was contacted for comment on August 4 and again on August 12. No response had been received by the time of publishing.
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