Historic Book Donation Empowers Limpopo Community

Six public and community libraries in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo each welcome an average of 400 visitors through their doors every day - mostly tertiary students wanting to learn and excel. The Information Centre at the Emeris Waterfall Campus recently donated more than 2100 weeded books to the Mogalakwena Local Municipality which will then distribute the books to the six public and community libraries. Preserving weeded books in storage rather than initiating disposal started a few years ago at the Emeris Waterfall campus. It was time to put
these books to good use instead of them collecting dust.

“This donation is the first of this magnitude”, said Nelson Morokane (Librarian Mahwelereng Public Library). The book donation will strengthen the future of the six public and community libraries and reach members of its communities.

Said Hlayisanani Khetiwa (Assistant Information Specialist Emeris Waterfall): “I completed my practical training at one of the City of Ekurhuleni public libraries, where I saw first-hand how eager young learners are to read career focused materials. These donated books will be incredibly valuable as they will provide a strong foundation in fields of study such as Science and Technology, Humanities, Law, Education and Commerce. For many young people, these resources could be the first step towards discovering a career path and pursuing higher education”.

Refilwe Madisha (Manager of Library Services within the Mogalakwena Local Municipality) highlighted that public libraries are increasingly acting as community anchors.

She added that: “A donation of books can have a significant and lasting impact on both the library and the local community. It strengthens the library's role as a center for education, literacy and community development. Donations expand the collection, improve service delivery and reduce the financial pressures of not having budgets for books. The community benefits from these because access to information is enhanced which will enable communities to empower themselves with knowledge and improve their skills”.

All six libraries offer access to free Wi-Fi but most face the challenge of no network.

“We are living in the age of digital divide, those with access to technology and those without who are in the majority especially in the Limpopo Province which is dominated by rural communities. So, it is still critical to have printed books in the library to enable access to information for those who lack technological tools at home. Libraries serve as the community's point of reference and therefore should play a critical role in addressing inequalities that occur in terms of information sharing. The collection will be diverse for different age groups to encourage lifelong learning and to also support community programmes like book clubs, literacy campaigns and homework support
programmes”, highlighted Madisha.

Khetiwa added: “As a private Higher Education Institution Information Centre, there is a sense of responsibility to work alongside public libraries and communities. To Emeris, these copies may be outdated, but within a public library they can become a gateway to knowledge, learning and
opportunity for many members of the community”.

Public libraries continue to rely on donated books as an important way to supplement their collections, especially when acquisition budgets are limited.

“Above all, this donation comes from the heart of librarianship”, concluded Khetiwa