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Pindrop: Johannesburg’s libraries in the suburbs are in various stages of disrepair. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Joburg libraries are a place where books go to die

The closure of the city’s biggest library is a loss to the public, and some of the other libraries are also battling to keep the culture of books alive

The library was initially closed in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 restrictions but stayed shut after these were lifted because of structural damages.

Johannesburg City Library could open its doors in six months

The city still needs to ensure the building is fire compliant before it can open its doors to the public

Living memory: Sylvia Arthur has made a point of centring literature of Africa and the diaspora in her library

Meet the founder of Accra’s one-woman library

Sylvia Arthur founded the Library for Africa and the African Diaspora to house her collection and share it with other readers

Libraries build services and communities (Photo Archive)

Libraries build services and communities

But librarians face difficulties in a society where the culture of reading is not widespread

Pro: French demonstrators campaign in favour of the new European policy aimed at freedom on online platforms under conditions of fair competition. ReCreate is lobbying for similar change locally.(Frederick Florin/AFP)

Copyright law may change

Critics say the new law will favour tech giants like Google and negatively affect the creative industry

Pupils Speak Out: Jo’burg libraries not easy to navigate

From outdated resources to a lack of computers and curriculum books, it’s difficult to find what you’re looking for in Jo’burg’s inner city libraries.

Bag of knowledge: Lebogang Thabeng

Mohlakeng: Youths fired up by a love of reading

Activists start ‘underground’ library after service delivery protesters burn down township facility.

African librarians need data skills to make the transition to open access.

Africa must use digital libraries

Making educational resources freely available will fast-track the continent’s development.

Library prank sends Armstrong books to fiction section

A prank note in an Australian library declaring that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong’s books would be moved to the fiction section has gone viral.

Author Sindiwe Magona says a reading culture is not possible until youngsters can ‘meet’ books and fall in love.

Literacy: Once upon a time, parents taught their children to read

The biggest hurdle to establishing a culture of reading in South Africa is neither access nor infrastructure, writes Nick Mulgrew.

Treasure house of the mind

Treasure house of the mind

The newly refurbished Johannesburg City library aims to re-establish the historic building’s reputation as the "heart of the city".

New York scheme for kids to work off library fines: Read

The New York Public Library will waive the outstanding fines of 143 000 children now barred from borrowing new items if they do one thing: read.