The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation has officially opened the new Newtown Community Library in Mhluzi Township, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, providing residents with greater access to information, education and digital resources.
MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Leah Mabuza officially opened the state-of-the-art facility on Friday,August 14.
The modern library has been designed to serve more than 8 000 people in the rapidly growing Newtown settlement.
It offers free internet and Wi-Fi, photocopying, book circulation, electronic books and specialised services for blind and partially sighted users.
The facility currently has 6 798 physical books, 7 745 e-books and 27 computers. It also features separate computer rooms for adults and children, a media room, group discussion room, study area and circulation desk.
The library will introduce literacy and outreach programmes targeting schools, old-age homes, early childhood development centres and prisons. Schools will also be encouraged to visit the facility for orientation sessions.
Residents will have opportunities to participate in activities marking National Library Week, World Book and Copyright Day, Literacy Day and Librarian’s Day. Library staff will receive training and skills development support, including bursary opportunities.
Mabuza urged the community to protect and take ownership of the facility.
“This Library is for the Community, it is for our children to find refuge and information. We therefore have to take care of it because it is ours, it belongs to this community,” she said.
The opening marks an important investment in expanding access to knowledge, lifelong learning and community development, while providing residents, particularly young people, with a safe and modern space for education, research and personal development.
