The youth encouraged to adopt a culture of reading

Koekie Meyer, the director of libraries and archives at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture, said libraries are the hubs of information for community members. “Residents must take pride in their local libraries and protect them at all cost. Libraries play a role in building a nation that reads as reading liberates the mind,” she said.

 

Meyer said the 2010 theme responds creatively to a nation that does not have a firm reading culture. “The nation must embrace technology as the enabler of accessing information. Libraries provide information and eradicate illiteracy from those who are committed to reading.”

 

At the celebrations, learners from Gerrit Maritz Primary School and Simunye Secondary School gave speeches on the importance of libraries in communities. Addressing the learners and community members present at the celebrations, the Executive Mayor of Westonaria, Maserame Khumalo said it is a reality that only a few libraries are available in townships. To address the shortage of libraries, she said a new library would soon be built in Simunye.

 

“This library will ensure that community members have easy access to library and information services. This is a true reflection that government is bringing services closer to the community.”

 

Esme Kuipers, the chief librarian at Westonaria was recognised for serving the community of Westonaria tirelessly for the past 30 years.