Close to 1 400 people have signed a petition to stop the City from closing Tygervalley library.
The “Save Tygervalley library” petition aims to get 1500 signatures.
News that the City planned to close the library – operating from leased premises at Tyger Valley shopping centre – at the end of April has met with a public backlash, with many turning to the library’s Facebook page to voice their opposition to the move.
One commentator said the library had been her refuge as a child. Another said the library was a vital facility for those who could not afford books or had no access to the internet.
The petition says the library serves the elderly and school pupils and that the next closest libraries in Bellville and Durbanville are unsuitable because the first is located in an unsafe part of the Bellville CBD while the second is too far away for Tygervalley library’s current patrons.
The City has said that “budget constraints” are behind the decision to close the library, which has more than 4000 members (“Tygervalley library to close,” Northern News, January 20).
Council approved the decision to ditch the annual R500 000 lease on the library premises on December 15 last year, according to mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross.
The City is to hold a public meeting about the library closure, at Durbanville library, on Tuesday March 1. The public will hear the City’s reasons for closing the library, according to Ward 70 councillor, Ronel Viljoen.
Asked if there was any chance of the library being kept open, Ms Viljoen said: “The City’s neighbouring libraries have huge facilities in Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Durbanville which will welcome new patrons.”
Tygervalley library’s staff and resources are to be absorbed by these neighbouring libraries.
Tygervalley library’s staff declined to comment.