The City of Cape Town’s libraries are using technology to entice young patrons to read and it’s paying off. Children are flocking to facilities to get their tech time.
Cape Town, South Africa (28 August 2023) – There is a huge focus in the City on libraries offering digitised services and improving on the digital services provided.
New technology such as tablets and gaming consoles have been rolled out since July 2022 and libraries have since found innovative ways to use these to best effect and draw patrons.
‘The digital divide was highlighted during the pandemic when children with access to technology and online platforms could continue with their education, while those in poorer communities struggled to keep up. City libraries are able to do their part by not only reducing this divide so everyone has equal access to technology and knowledge, but we’re doing it in a fun way,’ said Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
Those waiting in line have to read to a staff member before they can go onto the tablets and this initiative has become particularly successful with many learners improving their reading and who are now able to read with confidence.
At Athlone Library, staff introduced video gaming in 2016 in conjunction with the reopening of the library after renovations.
The main aim is to motivate the youth to read by rewarding them with incentives.
The games are only available to play on Fridays, Saturdays and school holidays and to get a time slot, the children need to borrow books on their card, read them, and provide librarians with a short review of the book, written or verbal.
Game time in exchange for reading is also being used successfully at many other City libraries, including Delft, where there has been a constant flow of youth into the library, not just for gaming, but for studying and socialising.
‘It’s not just hearsay that libraries are instrumental in changing the lives of residents. The introduction of the tablets at Bellville South library has positively influenced the children’s lives and not only are they exposed to new technology, but they are improving their reading skills,’ said Councillor Van der Ross.
The rollout started last year with 66 tablets to 13 libraries, and 99 tablets to 19 libraries thus far in 2023, and is set to continue for the rest of the year.
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