Providing Premier Library And Information Services To Joburg Residents

Libraries play a vital role in enhancing literacy, fostering a love for reading across all age groups, and granting access to essential information for modern living.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) serves as the infrastructure development arm of the City of Johannesburg, managing capital expenditure projects, including library implementations. Projects completed under the City’s Community Development Department include the Noordgesig Library, Paterson Park Library, Lehae Library, and the ongoing Brixton Library.

Noordgesig Library

Situated in Soweto, the Noordgesig Library lies at the heart of the community, encompassing a library, park, community hall, swimming pool, and parking lot. The project involved demolishing the existing library to construct a new one, transforming the parking lot into a public plaza that integrates with the new library. Consultations with the ward councillor and community were pivotal during the project’s concept phase. The Library and Information Services (LIS) provided input to finalise the layout plan and determine furniture and equipment needs.

The new two-storey library spans 2100m², featuring a landscaped reading courtyard and distinct sections for children, adults, young adults, and reference materials. It also includes facilities like an eClassroom, study area, discussion rooms, and an activity room. The library was inaugurated on 8 September 2021.

Paterson Park Library

Part of the Paterson Park Sports and Recreation Centre in Norwood, the library offers lending services, reference assistance, study space, and various programs such as reading development, homework assistance, and digital literacy activities. The library serves multiple community needs, including lending materials for school projects, offering study space, providing access to electronic resources, and conducting information literacy training. It officially opened on 12 October 2021.

Lehae Library

The Lehae Library, located in the south of Johannesburg, serves as a hub for learning and literacy for all age groups. It hosts early child development programmes, career guidance, computer skills training, job seeker support, and mental health resources. The library provides access to Wi-Fi and e-resources and was launched on 25 May 2023.

Brixton Multipurpose Centre Library

As part of the Brixton Social Cluster, the multipurpose centre aims to enhance the community’s quality of life by promoting social cohesion. The project includes the construction of a new library, public square, coffee shop, green open space, and upgraded sports facilities. The new library will accommodate general and specialised information resources, with construction underway to meet the community’s needs. These infrastructure development projects by the City of Johannesburg, facilitated by the JDA, demonstrate a commitment to enhancing residents’ lives through accessible and comprehensive library and information services. The Johannesburg public libraries aim to provide top-tier library and information services crucial to residents of the City of Johannesburg. Libraries play a vital role in enhancing literacy, fostering a love for reading across all age groups, and granting access to essential information for modern living.