The fight for two Cape Town libraries to keep their doors open is over after almost two years, and it ended in a big win for the libraries and thousands of people who rely on them.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 June, 2023)—It’s been a long battle for two Cape Town libraries who faced closure after their leases faced the end of the road.
The Plumstead and Tygervalley libraries are pillars of access for their communities, so the idea of their closure meant a bout of stress for the many Capetonians who rely on their services. The City of Cape Town made the decision not to renew the two libraries’ leases in 2021, but after two years of communities standing up for their havens, a chapter of good news was announced.
The City recently announced that its Library and Information Services has decided on a new lease agreement for both the libraries, valid from 1 July 2023. It shared that the 2021 decision came about due to COVID-19’s impact, but that several engagements with interested parties helped spark a new decision that was better for residents.
“Patrons would be glad to know that both libraries will be open for business following a Council decision to enter into new lease agreements. The City’s Libraries and Information Services had various engagements with interested parties following requests to retain the services on offer by the two libraries.
“While Tygervalley Library is one of the top performing libraries with regards to circulation figures both libraries are important knowledge centres visited frequently by patrons and residents. The decision to enter into a two-year lease agreement is testament to the City’s commitment to service delivery,” said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
Both libraries serve thousands of patrons, with 4610 relying on Tygervalley Library and 1024 relying on Plumstead.
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