Community libraries country-wide have been allocated R338 million for the current financial year in an effort to promote a culture of reading. Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan announced that the National Library will receive R65.3 million while national museums will receive R409.9 million.
The minister also allocated R1 million towards the building of a library in Timbuktu, Mali, a donation which follows the signing of a Bi-National Agreement between South Africa and Mali. He said this stipulates commitment to fund-raising and providing assistance toward the construction of a new library and archive for the Ahmed Baba Institute. Other aims are to assist in marketing the heritage value of the Timbuktu Manuscripts. The Timbuktu Manuscripts are the first New Partnership for Africa's Development [NEPAD] Cultural Project which requires the support of government departments. Timbuktu is the historic city in Mali where ancient manuscripts dating back to the early 13th century were found. After visiting Mali in 2001, President Thabo Mbeki pledged to assist with the restoration and conservation of the ancient manuscripts in Timbuktu, which were in poor conditions. An inter-governmental agreement between South Africa and Mali was signed in 2002 and the project to restore the Timbuktu manuscripts was officially launched in 2003. The project has since been declared an official South African Presidential Project and has also been endorsed by the NEPAD as its first cultural project.
South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Showing posts with label Libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libraries. Show all posts
Libraries in a state
Last year, Gauteng province only used 5,3% of its budget for public library service improvements. The Eastern Cape province used R29 000 of its R22 million budget and the Western Cape province only 23,7%. These figures were shown in the presentation to Parliament's standing committee on finances. The nine provinces received R180 million, spread over three years, last year to improve library services. The provinces have already received half of their funds and had to spend it on infrastructure and buying new books.
Last month, Brakpan's library closed down due to the neglected state of its 70-year-old building. Following heavy rain, parts of the building were flooded and the electrical wiring damaged. The library's ceiling ad caved in in 2006, and was temporarily repaired. There are plans for a new building but so far no construction has started.
Recently, library services were cut drastically in many provinces. On the East Rand some libraries now close at 16:30 on weekdays and do not open on weekends at all. This has made it very difficult for school children who do not have other access to libraries. The Alberton library implemented these hours back in October 2006.
Last month, Brakpan's library closed down due to the neglected state of its 70-year-old building. Following heavy rain, parts of the building were flooded and the electrical wiring damaged. The library's ceiling ad caved in in 2006, and was temporarily repaired. There are plans for a new building but so far no construction has started.
Recently, library services were cut drastically in many provinces. On the East Rand some libraries now close at 16:30 on weekdays and do not open on weekends at all. This has made it very difficult for school children who do not have other access to libraries. The Alberton library implemented these hours back in October 2006.
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