An exciting week lies ahead for bookworms as South Africa celebrates Library Week from 20 to 26 March.
Books, and reading in particular, play an important role in everyone’s life. It is how people learn and what many enjoy when they just want to relax and switch off from a busy day. In the words of the late former President Nelson Mandela: “When we read we are able to travel many places, meet many people and understand the world.”
In celebration of library week the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) says it has chosen a national theme, “Libraries: telling powerful stories”.
“Humans have told stories for as long as we can remember,” shares LIASA on its website. “These stories are used to share news, amplify the accomplishments of heroes, and pass on cultural traditions, and transfer knowledge and history. Libraries have been central in collecting, preserving and sharing these stories.
“Libraries are central to communities; they provide not only access to books, but also a space for knowledge, access to information for all, and occasionally offer an escape from the harsh realities.”
Added to the celebrations, local libraries across the Drakenstein municipal area have a packed programme of activities. This includes storytelling, spelling and reading competitions, a puppet show, reading and colouring, building puzzles, a story walk in the park and watching a movie.
Here is a list of libraries (and their contact details) in the Drakenstein municipal area that can be visited throughout the week:
Monday 20 March
• Drakenstein (021 807 6448) – Spelling competition (Ou Rechtersvlei Farm)
• Gouda (021 807 4500) – Storytelling (Bakersfield Primary School)
• Hermon (021 807 4743) – Book Tasting
• Klein Drakenstein (021 877 9001) – Library Education: What you can do with your library card.
• Mbekweni (021 807 7764) – The members of the elderly social club in the area will read stories to Grade 3 learners in the library. (Two sessions 09:00 and 10:00)
• Nieuwedrift (021 807 4743) – Reading and colouring in with Grade R.
• Ronwe (021 807 6473) – Movie date.
• Saron (021 807 4500) – Pre-school visit to library.
Tuesday 21 March
• Hermon – Tik Tok Tuesday
Wednesday 22 March
• Drakenstein – Spelling competition
• Gouda – Telling stories by making their own story cards (Gouda Aftercare Centre).
• Hermon – Library Appreciation Day.
• Klein Drakenstein – Book Education: How to look after your library material.
• Mbekweni – The members of the elderly social club in the area will read stories to Grade 3 learners in the library.
• Nieuwedrift – Reading and colouring in with Grade R.
• Readers (021 807 6313) – What a treat! Visit with the elderly.
• Ronwe – Building puzzles an playing with alphabet cards.
• Saron – Spelling bee.
Thursday 23 March
• Drakenstein – Puppet show.
• Gouda – Telling stories with Gouda service centre.
• Hermon – Story walk in the park.
• Klein Drakenstein – Storytelling and guides on how to improve reading.
• Mbekweni – The members of the elderly social club in the area will read stories to Grade 3 learners in the library.
• Nieuwedrift – Teaching the computer basics (Grade 5).
• Readers – A Tale to Share: storytelling.
• Ronwe – Colour in fun and making funny faces with paper plates.
• Saron – Elderly club visit library for tea and treats.
Friday 24 March
• Drakenstein – Reading competition.
• Gouda – Storytelling at Gouda Educare
• Hermon – Interview with patrons: “How the library has changed their lives.”
• Mbekweni – At 09:00 the members of the elderly social club in the area will read stories to Grade 3 learners in the library. At 10:00 the elderly will narrate stories to each other.
• Nieuwedrift – Reading and watching a movie (Grade R).
Tuesday 28 March
• Readers – What a library?! (storytelling).
