The country recently celebrated library week, and according to the DA, residents of the metro had very little to celebrate as libraries remain in an appalling state.<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries in the metro continue to fail in offering adequate services to a wider audience because of shortened library hours.<\/p>
\u201cThe DA finds it disappointing that libraries across the city close at 4.30pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends,\u201d said Clr Malcolm Maifala, DA spokesperson for community services.<\/p>\n
The DA proposed that all libraries in the metro should be open until 6pm on weekdays and they further proposed that 10 libraries be identified to be open until 9pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturdays.<\/p>
\u201cNot only are the library hours not conducive for students, the internet is fast becoming a necessity for our residents, but our libraries fail to offer quality services in that regard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn theory, the libraries should have Wi-Fi accessibility, yet this is not the case throughout Ekurhuleni,\u201d said Maifala.<\/p>\n
According to statistics, a majority of libraries in the city have experienced a decline in active users between 2016 and 2017.<\/p>\n
The DA believes that libraries in the metro need a serious intervention and that the current state of libraries is a major contributor to the metro experiencing a decline in active library users.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to call on the MMC for community services, Clr Dorah Mlambo, to prioritise on ensuring that library hours are extended to ensure wider access to the public,\u201d said Maifala.<\/p>\n
Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n