Eluxolweni and Gansbaai libraries reopen after major upgrades | Western Cape Government

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Eluxolweni and Gansbaai libraries reopen after major upgrades

14 August 2019

Residents of Gansbaai and Eluxolweni, Pearly Beach will now have access to a greater range of books and more computers after upgrades to two libraries were unveiled by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Overberg Municipality on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

The Eluxolweni Library has been enlarged to 90 square meters with new computers installed and more books added to the collection as part of a range of upgrades.

At the Gansbaai Library a garden was transformed into a children’s section featuring computers with internet access, a flat screen TV and DVD player and a range of children’s books and DVD’s.

“Albert Einstein said that the only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of your library. I believe that everyone in this community is going to know where this library is located,” Anroux Marais, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, said at the unveiling of the upgraded Eluxolweni Library on Tuesday.  “Libraries empower us and give us opportunities. Enjoy this library and look after it. I hope and believe that the community will use this library and take ownership of it.”

Eluxolweni Library had a floor space of only 24 square meters when it was first opened in 2015 in a house that was refurbished after being damaged in a fire. It was built with a budget of just R70 000, but a total of R410 000 has been spent on upgrades since 2016.

On Tuesday the municipality also announced that two community members will be trained to work in the library and could become permanent staff members.

At the Gansbaai Library a total of R115 000 was spent on upgrades and the new children’s section was in use already when it was officially opened on Tuesday.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is committed to building strong and knowledgeable communities. Let us create well-informed, literate communities who are able to express themselves, BETTER TOGETHER

Media Enquiries: 

Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za