Reference Library Re-opened

Picture by Anwen Evans
Story Written By Romita Hanuman

The Central Reference library has re-opened after months. The much-improved library is on the 10th floor of the Liberty Life Towers, at the corner of Samora Machel (Aliwal) and Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) streets.

It brings together the reference library, the Don Africana collection, and the newspaper reading room. The library was closed in January when landlords, Mapdev, terminated the lease. This was done to accommodate other tenants, but the deal fell through, and in March the City’s Libraries Department was offered the space. Deena Nair, the department’s District Manager, said: “Renovations had to be done to merge the different sections.”

However, the public study hall, which was formerly on the building’s ground floor, could not be relocated to the 10th floor because of a lack of space. It has been moved to Bhoola Centre, on Dr Goonam (Prince Edward) Street, and is due to open soon. Nair said the library was now more convenient. “We have merged the Don Africana Collection, with the reference library, and services are available through one counter. I am happy the library is now open. Patrons depend on it, and use it daily because it contains a mass of valuable information.”

Security at the library has been tightened. Patrons must now state their name, and the purpose of their visit, to a camera. They are then given a security card on a lanyard, which they must wear.

The library is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm, and from 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. The newspaper reading room is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.

hanumanR@durban.gov.za