Among the biggest challenges libraries face is materials which are not returned, and Sub-council 12 is implementing different measures to ensure that long overdue materials are recovered.
When materials are not returned, this has a negative impact on the right to access information by other library users, said Ntombegugu Mpofu, head of library information services for area south.
“It has been suggested that councillors of each ward take a box to sub-council meetings to make it easier for people to return their books,” said Ms Mpofu.
Libraries play a big part in educating communities,and two Mitchell’s Plain libraries recently ran programmes for parents and children. Lentegeur library’s focus was on teaching parents to identify the emotional needs of children, while Weltevreden library taught the community about saving water.
A total of 155 pupils attended information literacy programmes which focused on teaching them how to find the information they are looking for.
In Sub-council 23, programmes were hosted to encourage reading among primary school pupils, with 172 of them taking part
in a formal book club and 625 library users taught how to use the library.
Adult outreach programmes highlighted water conservation, parenting skills and healthy living.