The City of Cape Town says “budget constraints” are behind its decision to close the Tygervalley library at the end of April.
Council approved the decision on December 15 last year, according to mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross.
“Due to the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and the subsequent revenue decline, the sustainability of the City requires urgent review, and council has decided to focus on its core business and mandates as a priority. Budget constraints now require a focus on reducing external leases,” she said.
The library has 4444 members and has been at the Tyger Valley shopping centre since 1988.
Its lease, which costs the City almost R500 000 a year, expires at the end of June, but Ms Van der Ross said the library would close from the end of April, and staff would be placed at other libraries.
Library staff approached by the Northern News declined to comment.