Brakpan Library opens a new chapter

Sport, Arts and Culture

A new library in the east of Johannesburg has been welcomed by the community.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has launched the new Brakpan Library  to open the doors of learning for young and old alike.

Built at a cost of R14 million, the library is equipped with unlimited WiFi, a state-of-the-art computer lab, a hall for debates, 77 000 books and over 3600 audio-visual materials. Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the library will benefit the community.

“We are very excited that we have launched one of our libraries in Brakpan. It’s one of the city’s efforts to open the doors of learning and teaching in our communities.”

Although people may come from different communities, the library is one of those environments that is conducive to studying. The library has been widely welcomed,” he said.

Open from 8am to 4pm during the week and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, the library ensures that the youth have numerous resources at their disposal, from novels to autobiographies. Learners can also access books over the internet from the e-library.

Librarian Orna Kemp said the Brakpan Library will draw in more young people.  

“It truly has a lot more resources that are proving to be beneficial for young people and the new look is making being at a library more fashionable for young people,” said Kemp.

Brakpan resident and student Morongoa Letsoalo said the library is different and much more conducive to learning.

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world and such resources are truly a passport to a brighter future.

“I’m happy that young people in my region have this knowledge centre at their disposal and I trust that this will have a ripple effect on their studies,” said Letsoalo.