City libraries have reopened limited study and SmartCape internet services.
The City, which has been gradually reopening its library services, says that while browsing for books is still not allowed, some libraries will now allow a limited number of students to use the SmartCape service for study.
Students will be allowed into the libraries for two-hour sessions, which includes a 45-minute SmartCape session, on a first-come first-served basis.
“Unfortunately our study spaces are not expansive, so the number of students will be limited to what can be accommodated in terms of the regulations under alert level 1 of the National Disaster Management Act,” said Zahid Badroodien, mayoral committee member for community services and health.
“Library halls are currently being used to quarantine material that is returned, so the spaces available in libraries are extremely limited.”
Any person entering a library will be screened and will need to wear a mask, sanitise their hands, and comply with physical distancing.
Libraries will have three sessions a day, 9am to 11am, 11.15am to 1.15pm and 1.30am to 3.30pm.
The 15 minutes between sessions is to give library staff time to clean and sanitise surfaces.
Each library will have access- control. The drop-and-collect service will continue for borrowing library materials.
Drop-and-collect, study access and SmartCape services will be available at the following libraries: Adriaanse, Avondale, Belhar, Bellville, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Brown’s Farm, Central, Claremont, Crossroads, Delft, Delft South, Dunoon, Durbanville, Eerste River, Eikendal, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Fish Hoek, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Hangberg, Harare, Huguenot Square, Kensington, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Kuyasa, Leonsdale, Lwandle (Hector Pietersen), Macassar, Mamre, Manenberg, Masiphumelele, Melton Rose, Mfuleni, Milnerton, Moses Mabhida, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Ocean View, Ottery, Parow, Philippi East, Pinelands, Retreat, Scottsdene, Sea Point, Simon’s Town, Southfield, Strand, Strandfontein, Suiderstrand, Table View, Tafelsig, Town Centre, Valhalla Park, Vredehoek, Wesfleur, Westridge and Woodstock
Drop-and-collect and study access will be available at Bonteheuwel and Hout Bay libraries.
Drop-and-collect and SmartCape access will be available at: Bridgetown, Hanover Park, Kloof Street, Kuils River, Pelican Park, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Tokai and Wynberg.
There will be drop-and- collect only at: Edgemead/Monte Vista, Gordon’s Bay, Kommetjie, Kulani, Lansdowne, Lentegeur, Maitland, Masakhane, Meadowridge, Mowbray, PD Paulse, Plumstead, Rylands, Site B, Khayelitsha, Tygervalley and Weltevreden.
Libraries that remain closed because of vandalism, repairs or maintenance are:
Athlone, Bloubergstrand, Brooklyn, Camps Bay, Goodwood, Heideveld, Langa, Lotus River, Nazeema Isaacs, Observatory, Ravensmead, Rocklands, Rondebosch and Somerset West.
The libraries’ operating hours are Mondays to Fridays from 9am until 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to noon.
Patrons will be allowed to borrow 20 items, including five audio-visual items (CDs/DVDs). There will no reservations or inter-library loans.
A loan period is for 30 days which can be renewed for another 30 days only.
For drop-and-collect services, patrons can request material by email or telephonically and can collect after two days.