Libraries in Nelson Mandela Bay may start to operate as normal from March 15 onwards, subject to approval by the acting city manager.
After libraries closed due to the national lockdown, they reopened to the public on November 16 last year for three days a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 09:00 until 14:00. Senior citizens have also been allowed to go to libraries on Wednesdays between 09:00 and 11:00.
However, services offered have been limited to a call and collect service, whereby members of the public could call the library, request the books they wish to read and collect the books at the library branch of their choice.
The return of books and other library materials has also been allowed.
According to Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson, Mamela Ndamase, the libraries are currently still open and providing these services, albeit in a limited capacity.
“The online library has also been fully operational throughout the lockdown period and is still operational. On approval by the acting city manager, libraries plan to open for the public for all circulation services (issue and return, paying of fines and registration) from March 15, 2021, however, as mentioned, we are waiting for approval,” she explained.
Ndamase added that there are a handful of libraries that remain closed due to vandalism.
These are: Chatty, Motherwell, Allanridge in Kariega (Uitenhage), KwaMagxaki and Red Location Digital.
She emphasised that the Linton Grange library was not closed, but only offline due to cable theft. The municipality is currently working on restoring the network.
“Assessments for the buildings that have been severely vandalised are in progress.
“This is to assess the work to be done and to get an idea of budgets required for provisional approval to enable the restoration of the library facilities,” she said.
“There is a plan that has been developed for approval by the acting city manager.
“This plan will provide stipulations in line with COVID-19 regulations and controls for library use that will be provided to the public for libraries to open.
“The proposal plan is for March 15 to allow for approval and informing on provincial level that the mandate libraries fall under and also report to.
“The regulation of opening for the regulated periods in November was to ensure that the return of library materials would commence, in order to allow decontamination of library materials and prepare for reopening with a library-asset stock take,” Ndamase said.
