Seven months and the library still remains closed
After the statement by Gadebe, the Addie went on one Tuesday to the library to check if the mobile bus was there, and the bus was not there.
The Springs Library has not been open at all this year and this has had a negative impact on Springsites as they cannot access the library services and the internet when they are at the library.
Heavy rains over New Year resulted in water damage inside the library, and the metro issued a statement on January 3 that it would be closed until further notice.
To date the metro has been unable to give a definitive date of when the library will reopen.
After waiting seven months for the library to reopen, Springsites are losing patience with the metro.
Residents who want to borrow books have a limited choice of novels which are set out across a couple of desks behind the back of the library from 8am to 1pm on a Wednesday.
Also see: Mobile bus library left unattended
The Addie recently spoke to residents about the situation and found that many of them are unhappy with the lack of proper library facilities.
Bernice Cameron says: “I feel very bad that the library isn’t functional as it has been over seven months now.
“I hope it is open soon as I have been using the desk for 12 weeks now and it’s not a big selection, they can’t put all their books on the desk.
“The internet doesn’t really affect me and I am not sure if the bus (mobile library bus service) can cater for old people like me or the disabled as I’ve never used it, even though I usually see it when I come to exchange books.
“I would like to see the library being fixed soon and opened so that we can use it again.”
Ntebo Mothooatlhaga, a student at Boston says: “It makes me feel bad that the library has been closed.
“I am from Tsakane and I use the library to study during lunch time when I don’t have money for lunch.
“Now I have to ask my friends to share their lunch with me as I don’t have a place to hide during lunch time.
“I don’t see the reason why the library is closed as I once came here on a rainy day, and the place which was leaking was very far from the study desks so it didn’t disturb us.
“All they have on these desks are novels, nothing which we can use to assist us with our studies.
“I wish the metro could fix the library so Springsites have a library to go to.”
Also see: Mobile bus library left unattended
Sazi Madonsela, who is also a student at Boston, says: “When studying at a library, one can get a peace of mind rather than studying at home.
“It gets to be difficult to prepare for exams away from the library because it is easier to focus in the library.
“You can’t prepare well when studying at home and this might lead to one having to write supplementary exams.
“I would like the metro to fix the library so that people, including children, can access it.
“Things are changing, we need technology and we can’t afford data, so the library should be fixed so that we can access such services.”
Maria Mokoena, a parent who works in Springs says: “When I had to apply for my child who’ll be going to Grade Eight next year, I struggled as I went to the library quite a few times to use the internet to apply, and I couldn’t take a day off work as I don’t reside around Springs even though I work here.
“I ended up having to ask a friend of mine to assist me with applying.”
Seven months without a library
On January 3 the metro released statement saying that the library would be closed indefinitely pending the repairs which are necessary.
The metro promised to keep residents updated about the progress of the repairs and when no information was forth coming, the Addie sent a media enquiry in early April.
On April 17, metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe stated: “The Springs Library is closed for an extended period to repair all the damage that was caused by flooding.
“Due to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, the library cannot be opened partially.
“The work that is currently being carried out at the library includes waterproofing of the roof and ceilings.
“Furthermore, there needs to be replacement of ducting cupboards, carpets, painting of the inside walls and ceilings, and electrical work as it was damaged by water.
“As an interim measure, we will provide a mobile bus service on Tuesdays from 8.30am to 13.00am.”
After the statement by Gadebe, the Addie went to the library the following Tuesday to check if the mobile bus was there and found it was not there.
The paper sent another enquiry to the metro and the response from Gadebe on May 23 was as follows:
“The bus is an on-going process, on Tuesdays from 8am to 10am and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 1am.
“The community was notified that the mobile library will be available every week.
“The bus is parked at the back of the library.
“The situation in the library remains the same until we source the funds to do the necessary repairs.”
Also see: Metro hoping to open the library next month
The repairs which need to be done include replacing the damaged waterproofing on the roof to stop the roof leaking, repairing or replacing the electrical wiring that has been damaged as a result of the leaks, replacing damaged carpets, painting the walls and replacing damaged cupboards.
“We hope that funds will be made available for all repairs in the new financial year as the library is presently inhabitable and does not comply with OHS regulations.
“It will be opened in the new financial year as soon as all the repairs have been done.”
However, the information given in a statement on May 23 differed from that given on April 17. The metro said at the time they would provide a bus on Tuesdays.
On May 23, the metro stated that they were waiting for funds in the new financial year and after the budget speech.
After the mayor’s budget speech, the Addie once again sent an enquiry to the metro asking if the funds were available, and when the repairs would start.
On June 13, Gadebe responded: “The rehabilitation of Springs Library is awaiting the finalisation of the tender by June 30.
“Work will begin in the new financial year.”
The Addie sent another enquiry, a month later to the metro on July 19, and received a response from Gadebe saying: “The Springs Library is closed due to construction and rehabilitation of the library building.
“A mobile library is available at the Springs library every Wednesday from 8am to 1pm which is also accessible for the disabled.
“The internet is also available to library users subject to the Wi-Fi connection.
“A temporary library and information service is available at the entrance in Fourth Street on days when the mobile library bus is not at the Springs Library.”
It is worth noting how, from month to month, the day on which library facilities are available changed, making it difficult for residents to keep track of when they should venture to the library to browse the limited books available on the library table.When the paper visited the library last week, there was no internet service and it was noted that the temporary library times don’t cater for learners who would still be at school when the temporary library services close at 1pm.
Another enquiry was sent to the metro questioning why there was no provision made for learners, but no response has been received to date.
According to ward 75 Clr Dean Stone, he has not had any feedback from the metro, or any other department since the last meeting he had with the acting head of library services, the head librarian and the real estate department on June 12.
At that meeting, the real estate department pledged to make a donation to the department of Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC) to enable them to fix the library.
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