On Thursday, 17 June, the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, visited Brackenfell Library as part of a series of visits to highlight the services available to the public. The library marks its 34th birthday this month and offers much-needed resources to the benefit of residents in this community.
Brackenfell Library holds a special place in the hearts of the patrons, with the staff of 15 sharing their passion for learning through books.
‘The majority of our avid readers and library patrons are senior citizens. Many of the elderly live by themselves and felt very isolated during the hard lockdown. Not being able to visit their loved ones, the books loaned from the library offered escape and companionship. It was wonderful to see the elderly patrons return to the library to browse and to chat with them once again. We can’t take the value of these facilities for granted as not only are they a source of learning and knowledge, but also a place of comfort and familiarity,’ said Principal Librarian Sunell Lotter.
The facility underwent a revamp in 2012 to modernise, receiving a new circulation counter and SmartCape counter section.
Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato and Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health, Zahid Badroodien received a tour of the library and also engaged with staff to thank them for their dedication to ensuring residents are once again able to enjoy the facility.
‘It is clear this facility is a space which offers a sense of comfort and community for many of our residents. Libraries allow us to learn, to stretch our imagination and enjoy our love for reading and storytelling. This library is a second home for avid readers, who appreciate the creativity and art of language and books. Libraries also enable us to be connected with the world out there, by bridging the gap to the future through the SmartCape internet resource where patrons can research, apply for jobs and do many other activities. It is clear that this facility is important to the community and I encourage all to protect and cherish what this building offers,’ said Mayor Plato.
As a sign of this value, Brackenfell Library has the highest circulation figure of all the libraries within the City of Cape Town, with patrons being avid readers and library users.
Brackenfell Library is located in Paradys Street and has the following resources available: More than 85 000 items of reading material (books), 2 335 magazine, 1216 audio CDs and 2 415 DVDs.
‘Our libraries are more than a facility filled with knowledge and entertainment. The Libraries and Information Services Department offers a Winter Reading Programme from 1 June, and libraries will run the programme for two months until the end of July 2021. The programme encourages readers of all ages to play genre bingo and select a book from the chosen genre. This innovative and fun way of picking books is developing interest in reading. I am excited to see the programme doing so well at Brackenfell Library and invite residents to join in,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
The SmartCape service was launched in 2005, and is designed to help Cape Town residents access the internet, free of charge, at libraries across the City. There are more than 80 000 books and other material available for loan at the Wynberg library for use by the public.
The library, in line with Covid-19 protocols, can accommodate a capacity of eight people, as well as the use of two of the eight SmartCape computers due to social distancing, providing access to the internet.
Brackenfell Library is also a Covid-19 vaccination registration site and we encourage the elderly to visit the facility to register.
Below is a list of libraries offering browsing, study space, SmartCape internet access and drop and collect services:
All Services
Adriaanse, Bellville, Eersteriver, Elsies River, Harare, Kulani, Kuilsriver, Kuyasa, Macassar, Masakhane, Melton Rose, Moses Mabhida, Mfuleni, PD Paulse, Simonstown, Strand,
Staff at the above-mentioned libraries will follow strict Covid-19 protocols. Patrons will be screened prior to entering our libraries to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff. All visitors are required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and adhere to social distancing protocols.
Libraries open for drop and collect, study access as well as SmartCape access:
Avondale, Brackenfell, Brooklyn, Bothasig, Bishop Lavis, Camps Bay, Delft, Dunoon, Kensington, Koeberg, Mamre,, Fisantekraal Kraaifontein Langa Scottsdene Milnerton Table View Pinelands Colin Eglin Sea Point Hangberg Observatory Vredehoek Woodstock. Leonsdale, Valhalla park, Belhar, Bellville South, Huguenot Square, Parow, Manenberg, Gugulethy, Nyanga, Brown’s Farm, Crossroads, Lentegeur, Phlippi East, Rocklands, Strandfontein, Tafelsig, Town Centre, Westridge, Claremont, Rondebosch, Southfield, Fish Hoek, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Masiphummelele, Muizenberg, Ocean View, Ottery Retreat, Observatory
Libraries open for drop and collect only
Central, Goodwood, Durbanville, Rylands, Maitland, Landsdowne, Kommetjie, Bloubergstrand Maitland Edgemead and Tygervalley
Libraries open for drop and collect and SmartCape access
Hout Bay Kloofstreet , Mowbray, Athlone, Bridgetown, Hanover Park, Wynberg
Libraries open for drop and collect and browsing only
Khayelitsha Site B, Pelican Park Satellite
Libraries open for drop and collect, browsing and SmartCape access
Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West, Plumstead
Libraries open for drop and collect, browsing and study access only
Heideveld, Nazeema Isaacs
Libraries open for drop and collect and study access only
Bonteheuwel
Libraries that are closed
Tokai and Wesfleur
The following operating hours will apply:
- Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 and Saturday 09:00-12:00.
- Loan period – 30 days
- Renewal – one renewal for additional 30 days
- Borrowing privileges – 20 items including five audio-visual items (CDs/DVDs)
- No reservations or inter-library loans will be done at present
Patrons and visitors are requested to acquaint themselves with the capacity limits for each of the services by accessing the information on the Online Public Catalogue (OPAC) at https://opac.capetown.gov.za/client/en_US/a/