The Bellville library will be celebrating its centenary with a range of events next week which caters for its 11 495 patrons, who range from five months to 91-years-old.
The library opened its doors in 1918 and was first housed in a building in Durban Road on the banks of the Elsies Kraal River with members required to pay an annual subscription fee.
A free public library service came to Bellville in 1964 in what is now Kruskal Avenue, but 25 years later the present library in Elizabeth Park was built. There is still some of the Kruskal history left, as some of the shelves are still being used in today’s Bellville library.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security; and social services, JP Smith, said; “Bellville is one of our flagship libraries and it is truly a beacon within the community. It is more than just a space for books and provides a place where knowledge can be promoted and where residents can interact, learn, hone skills and acquire new hobbies. All libraries play a significant role in our lives and help to shape our world view. Bellville has also shown us that librarians are not just your original search engines, they’re also innovators.”
The library also offers a takeaway service. When patrons come to collect their takeaway, they simply stop in front of the library and pop in to information, where the books are issued to them, without encountering any parking hassles.Â
Other libraries which celebrated milestones this year include Durbanville which turned 45, Tygervalley is now 30 and Kensington is 25.