The month of September is Heritage Month and you can learn a great deal about your heritage at your local eThekwini Municipality Library.
I interviewed Tebogo Mzizi, Senior Manager at the Libraries and Heritage Department of eThekwini Municipality to find out more about libraries and how they can help you discover your heritage.
What services does a library offer the public?
‘’You can borrow library material at any of our branches, regardless of where you joined as a member. We also have study material at the Central Reference library or your branch library. There are also newspapers to read as well. You can access the on-line library catalogue and e-information at the library.’’
‘’We also offer Libraries unlimited, a library service to your home, old age home or orphanage. There is also a mobile service which offers two mobile truck libraries extending our services to remote areas.’’
‘’We also offer a number of outreach programmes e.g. One city one Book, ARTIculate Africa, book launches, local author discussions, Storytelling, Creative Writing, Spelling Bee competitions and a Quiz. Added to this is photocopying & printing services to users.’’
‘’We provide free access to Wi-Fi and internet through our cyber zones.’’
‘’As part of our contribution to promoting Economic Development we also offer a business corner as well with resources for starting up your own business or developing one.’’
How is the library handling COVID-19 at the moment?
‘’Libraries follow all the regulations and guidelines set out by government and to minimize the spread of coronavirus they were all closed to public during different levels of the lockdown. Now that we are on level 2 Libraries Management led by Head of the Parks Recreation & Culture began assessing various sites in preparation for opening to public in order to ensure that they are in full compliance with the regulations all the necessary preventative measures are in place before welcoming back the public. The current rounds of assessment shows that libraries are ready to reopen and are only waiting pronouncement of the day to reopen which we are all looking forward to as much as the public does.’’
How can you learn about your heritage at a library?
‘’Libraries conduct a variety of outreach programs with an aim to promote library services and facilities to the public also to promote cultural inclusivity, social cohesion, economic development, youth and women empowerment to name a few. Among these programs we host programs that promote our heritage and the drive of unity in diversity as pillars of our heritage. Libraries also organize themed displays to promote various subjects and heritage is one of those that when one would be at any of our library during this period would find displays depicting heritage and also promoting books that talk about our rich heritage.’’
What books on heritage would you recommend?
‘’Our libraries have vast collections on heritage and once they re-open to public we encourage everyone to visit them to borrow these books to read and if they do not have membership cards apply because it is free. Our dedicated and friendly staff would gladly assist. However if there was ever books to recommend it would be Clued up on culture: a practical guide for all South Africans written by Barbara Elion, also a book Umlando nobuqhawe bukaZulu by Shalo Mbatha.’’
What can you do at a library to research a project on heritage for your school?
‘’Over and above print sources that can be accessed by schools to research on heritage, libraries keep project files on current and historical events that may have not been captured in a book so that those who do research can access these, furthermore libraries work closely with schools to ensure that schools that were previously disadvantaged are able to gain computer literacy skills in order to be able to independently use computers to do school research. The symbiotic relationship between our libraries and schools is well cemented, we cater for schools even through block loans, we are able to lend out a bulk of books to school to support curriculum.’’
How does the library help their community?
‘’Libraries through collaborative platforms work closely with various community based organization to give support and also to partner with them on various issues or to resolve challenges faced by communities. We are able where permissible to have vegetable gardens as part of poverty alleviation initiatives, we partner with Senior Citizens on issues that affect them and are able to work with vulnerable groups on issues that affect them. Over and above all these Literacy and Reading remains the centre of our contribution to Community Development.’’
How will you be celebrating Heritage Day this year?
‘’Covid-19 has brought in a new normal where we have seen more people delivering programs online through various online platforms to engage with the public and since we are still affected by Covid-19 and regulations on gatherings are still imposed we are exploring the online avenue and are working around hosting online heritage book reviews and discussions to celebrate heritage and promote literature that speak to our heritage.’’
Durban residents are eager to return to libraries. ‘’I love going to the library and getting books to read,’’ said Durban resident Cindy Polydorou.
The good news is that most of the City’s 95 libraries are now open with only the Durban City Hall library remaining closed due to refurbishments. Strict protocols will be in place.
The suburbs of Glenwood, Musgrave and Umbilo have two libraries:
The Musgrave Library
Address: Glenwood Village, 397 Che Guevara Road, Bulwer.
The Umbilo Library
Address: Top Floor, Queensmead Mall, Cnr Hillier/Teignmouth Roads, Umbilo.
You can also access their online catalogue here:
http://library.durban.gov.za/client/en_US/eml
Heritage Day is on 24 September 2020.
For more information on how eThekwini Municipality is helping you visit: www.durban.gov.za
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