Reopen Johannesburg Libraries On Saturdays

Libraries used to be open on Saturdays in Johannesburg prior to Covid lockdowns. They were well trafficked on Saturdays - it is ludicrous to have to prove that there is a demand for them to re-open on Saturdays. This is a stalling tactic to hide the fact that the city's coffers are empty. A library cannot be accessible if it cannot be accessed by the majority of working citizens who are not able to patronise them on weekdays. The Olivedale library used to open every. Saturday until 1pm and until 18:00 on Wednesdays to accommodate people who work full-time. This changed from the Covid lockdown period and the posture of Joburg libraries in this regard is indefensible. I am galled that the director of libraries is posing on the official Joburg Libraries Facebook page for their birthday celebration full of self-congratulations when library services have been eroded inch by inch. Access to the Libby service was also discontinued recently. It would be important to know if the birthday celebration being publicised on the official Joburg libraries page was paid for using library budget or other city of Joburg funds.

Access on weekends is important as some people work long hours during the week.