Oudtshoorn, 25 July 2023 – The first anniversary of the Rosevalley Public Library building is on 26 July 2023, marking a successful year since its official opening by MEC Anroux Marais, Executive Mayor, Alderman Chris Macpherson, and Pierre Blaauw from the ASLA Foundation.
Thanks to the funding from the Western Cape Provincial Library Service (R8.5 million) and the ASLA Foundation (R501,000), this library has become a valuable resource for our community. The construction, undertaken by RUWACON Pty Ltd, provided employment opportunities to over 60 individuals from Ward 6.
The investment in this library has proven to be worthwhile, as it now holds the position of the third highest circulating library within the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality. From 01 August 2022 to 30 June 2023, the library’s average monthly statistics are as follows: 1,192 circulations, 2,110 gate counter (foot traffic), and 801 photocopies. Currently, Rosevalley Library boasts an active membership of 401 individuals who actively engage with the library’s resources and services.
Mr Maurice Langdon was appointed Library Assistant on 1 October 2022 and Ms Sherelda Grundlingh as the Librarian on 01 December 2023. Since the opening of the library, the permanent library staff were supported by the YearBeyond Project where young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years can apply online to gain work experience and are paid by the Western Cape Government. This year the successful candidates at the Rosevalley library are Verodene Kammies and Abrolene Maswati. Since their appointments, they are conducting different library and holiday programmes for the children. The Rosevalley Library is a one-stop information and recreational hub for the community and is providing free internet service to the community. The library hall is used regularly for library programmes and community activities.
As we celebrate the one-year milestone of the Rosevalley Public Library, we eagerly anticipate many more years of progress and growth. We extend our heartfelt wishes for continued success and luck in shaping a bright future for the library and its community stated Deidre Carelse, Manager Library Services.
GENERAL LIBRARY NEWS:
Since 15 November 2022, the library system SLIMS (Sita Library and Information System) in the Western Cape has crashed, and this cause not being able to perform any library function on the SLIMS. Hoping all libraries will be back online from 01 August 2023 according to Western Cape Library Services.
The Municipality would like to thank all library members for their patience during this time where staff had to do all functions manually. From 01 July 2023, all libraries received new coin box photocopiers. The public should please bring their own coins because the libraries do not have the capacity to help the public in this regard.