Faced with dwindling resources, Nelson Mandela Bay librarians have begun raising funds to support the basic upkeep of libraries.
With lawns left untrimmed for months, no budget allocated for cracked windows and leaking roofs, some facilities have been plunged into darkness for years due to vandalism.
Meanwhile, the integrated library systems responsible for cataloguing, classification and managing patron services, such as book lending, have been non-functional for several months.
The Walmer township library has been without power since cables were vandalised two months ago.
At the Gelvandale Library, the toilet is broken and visitors cannot use the internet because the key to the fibre box is lost.
At the Booysen Park Library, residents have not been able to print for two years after the library was also vandalised and left without electricity.
The library now faces closure should community members not step in to save it, according to staff.
The municipality allocated R116m to libraries for the 2024/2025 financial year, but they have suffered severe budget cuts since 2010.
This resulted in a surge in break-ins and vandalism, forcing some to close and leaving those that remained operational only able to offer minimal services.
A security assessment conducted in 2019 on 25 libraries revealed that many were not fenced, lacked outside lighting and none had armed response alarm systems.
Libraries are a national and provincial mandate that has been delegated to municipalities.
However, this has largely been recognised as an unfunded mandate.
Several library employees, who did not want to be named, have spoken out.
At the Korsten Library, staff revealed how they had to raise funds to hire grass cutters.
“It was devastating for us to think that Shelly Barry was going to return to this library and see the place she said she first got her love for reading, fall into such neglect,” the librarian said.
Barry is a disability rights activist and, as part of celebrating a 20-year body of work in film, hosted screenings at Gqeberha venues including Nelson Mandela University and the Korsten Library.
Ward 7 councillor Brandon Pegram said despite many attempts to force the metro to at least maintain library grounds, upkeep of the Newton Park Library facility had been taken over by residents who even donated barbed-wire.
“I have had numerous residents who have said they are willing to cut the grass and have on several occasions.
“I even got one of our shelters in the ward to get involved, cleaning the garden and cutting the grass.
“Windows are still cracked and the facility is in absolute shambles,” he said.
“I feel bad for the employees working at the library and the residents who still make use of it.”
According to Pegram, staff have also had to make do without the library system management system since 2024.
The Gelvandale, Korsten, West End and Walmer township libraries also no longer have access to the system.
This is allegedly because the payment for the licensee renewal had not been made.
Instead, at Korsten, the reporters were shown how a card booking system not used in more than 10 years was reintroduced.
At Kwazakhele, visitors were informed they could not take out books or use the computers because there was no internet.
After being vandalised and left without electricity for years, the Booysen Park Library will be closed unless it gets help from benefactors.
That is the message anxious staff allegedly got after reaching out to the directorate for libraries about the untenable conditions of the facility.
The staff said they had been left to fend for themselves.
“They are tired of us at the petrol station because we have been charging our phones and boiling water there for years now,” one said.
“It’s almost winter and the children who come here for the holiday programmes will again have to sit in a cold dark building.”
The library was plunged into darkness after a spate of vandalism at the precinct, including councillor Benjamin Nomnqa’s office.
Late in 2024, the municipality installed a new fence, however, there are still holes in sections of the ceiling.
Staff said after they tried to inquire about how the rest of the building would be refurbished, they were told to try to get the community to help.
“The message we got was that unless we get help from the community the library will close.
“And we try our best not to be relocated.
“Once we leave this building, it is going to be vandalised like the Chatty Library and other libraries that are closed due to vandalism,” they said.
According to staff at the library in Walmer township, the facility has been without power since the precinct, which also has the ward councillor’s office, was vandalised and cables stolen.
Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya did not respond to questions sent via email and WhatsApp two weeks ago.
Sports and recreation political head Bongekile Mankahla said she had been engaging the directorate about the challenges at the libraries.
“I have only been at the job for less than two months and I am still getting updates about all the problems we are facing.
“I am also looking into the alleged closure of the Booysen Park library and will speak to the director,” she said.
The Herald
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