Two Mitchell’s Plain libraries are offline and Strandfontein library will be closed for more than two months for maintenance.
Rocklands and Lentegeur libraries are offline due to cable theft.
The City of Cape Town is investigating an alternative solution as Telkom refuses to replace the line at Rocklands.
The City’s Information Systems and Telecommunications (IS&T) Department has also yet to provide a solution in Lentegeur.
Meanwhile, Tafelsig library was also temporarily offline because a bullet had damaged infrastructure but this has since been repaired.
Strandfontein library will undergo planned maintenance from Monday January 13 until Friday March 20.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Dr Zahid Badroodien said the work was quite extensive as it included replacing the vinyl floor covering with carpets as well as repairs to the roof.
Patrons can use alternative libraries such as Town Centre, Lotus River, Wynberg, Lentegeur and Westridge.
Services are, however, not due to come to a complete standstill as library staff members will still visit early childhood development (ECD) centres and crèches for their planned storytelling sessions; and local schools for their planned library orientation sessions, information literacy programme and reading programmes.
Other libraries in the area will assist with Strandfontein library’s formal book club and digital literacy.
Dr Badroodien said service delivery would definitely improve at the library once it is in a better physical condition.
He said the City did everything possible to curb theft and vandalism but called on the public to be its eyes and ears and report any suspicious behaviour to its public emergency communication centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.