A newly revived group of volunteers is determined to breathe new life into Simon’s Town library.
Loekie Marais, the chairperson of the Friends of the Simon’s Town Library, says they hope to make the community aware of the value of the historic gem in its midst.
The library will be celebrating Library Week, from Monday March 18 to Saturday March 23, with various programmes such as storytelling, reading sessions and school visits.
Ms Marais said the library had seen a dwindling number of visitors since the Covid lockdown when its hours had been cut to half days during the week and alternate Saturdays. The library currently runs as a satellite branch of the Fish Hoek library.
During the pandemic, she said, the Friends had also become less active, hence the move to establish a new committee.
According to a 2015 City heritage report, the building, which was designed by architect John Parker with red brick, stone, slate and decorative flourishes true to the Victorian era, was built in 1896 and used as the Simon’s Town School until a new high school was built in Seaforth in 1953, and the municipality moved into the building.
In 2001, the municipal office moved to Plumstead, and the library, which had been housed in an adjacent building, moved in.
Today, visitors are greeted by a large chandelier at reception and an aroma redolent of aged paper and wood polish.
According to library supervisor Rika Smit, they have 606 members and a collection of close to 25 000 books, DVDs, CDs and magazines.
The library also has an internet service, sections for children and teens and space for school pupils to work on their projects.
Patrons can use the Libby app or go to opac.capetown.gov.za to tap into a range of e-resources including online books, magazines, newspapers, library catalogues and membership applications.
Friends secretary Steph Mellor said the Simon’s Town library had always been close to her heart.
“We will be planning exciting events such as book talks, art exhibitions, workshops, and indoor markets,” she said.
The group is planning to spruce up the garden and fund-raise for new library resources, and the public can find updates about upcoming activities on both the library’s and Friends group’s Facebook pages.
The library is open from 11am to 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; from 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays; and on alternate Saturdays from 9am to noon.
