Community rallies to revitalise Killarney Library
Help revive Killarney Library by supporting their book sale fundraiser on July 4 and 5, every book is just R20.
A passionate group of residents have come together to breathe new life into the Killarney Library, hidden away in the basement of Killarney Mall.
A group of 70 members strong, known as the Friends of the Killarney Library, was formed out of a shared concern for the library’s decline in visibility, usage, and overall atmosphere.
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“Most people don’t even know it’s there,” member Yasirah Madhi noted, citing the library’s limited opening hours, ongoing labour disputes, and an unwelcoming space as key issues. Despite this, the group sees immense potential in transforming the library into a vibrant community hub – one that could host book clubs, knitting groups, quiz nights, children’s readings, book launches and more.
To begin, the group launched a small awareness campaign, including mapping directions to the library, sharing information on local WhatsApp groups, and distributing flyers to nearly every building in the area. The response has been encouraging, with a noticeable increase in visitors, but the group says there’s still a long way to go.
To further their efforts, the group is hosting a book sale on July 4 and 5 to raise funds for community events, better signage, and improvements to the space. More than 800 books have been collected through a community book drive, and donations are still being welcomed. All books will be sold for R20.
The sale will take place in Killarney Mall, opposite PNA, in a space generously sponsored by the mall as part of its support for community initiatives. During the sale, volunteers will offer tours of the library and assist visitors in signing up for library cards.
Funds raised will go towards purchasing new books, upgrading facilities, hosting events such as children’s story time and book clubs, and possibly launching additional programmes such as a seed library or a puzzle/DVD swap.
“We see the library as something that can bring people together again,” said Madhi. “A shared, useful space that the whole community can enjoy.”
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