New Vredenburg Library Encourages Youth to Read

On Monday 20 April 2015, the Executive Mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality, Ald. Francois Schippers, and Nomaza Dingayo, Director: Library Services in the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) opened the new R8 million Vredenburg Public Library.

Children from the Elim Pre-Primary School entertained the audience with poetry. Members of the community emphasised the value of having a library within walking distance.

“I would like to thank Ms. Dingayo and the entire staff of DCAS for their generosity,” Ald. Schippers said. “DCAS has played a valuable role in building and opening this establishment. A library in this area is of utmost importance and we know that it will uplift our community.”

The library has over 35 000 items (books and other materials) as well as five computers with free Internet access provided by the Rural Connectivity Project. Access to the Internet will assist library-goers to improve their computer skills, do research and search for jobs online.

“We want the community to make use of everything the library has to offer,” said Dingayo. “This library was built for the community and today I urge the community to look after it and take ownership of it.”

DCAS provides libraries to communities and wants them to encourage their children and peers to read. Let us create well-informed, literate communities BETTER TOGETHER.