Crucial security measures are lacking at all the Merafong Local Municipality libraries, and as a result, there have been numerous burglaries at these libraries.
During my visit to the Carletonville Library in Merafong on Monday as part of the DA Gauteng Library Week Campaign which will run from 6 to 10 November 2017, l discovered that there are no security guards at any of the 21 libraries in the Merafong Local Municipality.
Of the libraries broken into, computers have been stolen and the library staff have been attacked.
There have been seven burglaries at Kokosi library in Ward 24 and one burglary each at Green Park library in Ward 21 and Wedela Extension 3 in Ward 20.
Despite the security challenges, these libraries are stocked with all the relevant books and there are free WI-FI connections.
The environment in Carletonville Library is conducive for studying and is disability friendly.
The library operating hours have been extended from 2 October – 30 November 2017 to accommodate students including matrics and university students who are revising for exams. From Monday to Friday the operating hours are from 7:30 am – 20:00 pm, Saturday the operating hours are from 08:00 am – 16:00 pm and on Sunday the library is open from 10:00 am to 14:00 pm.
As the library hours have been extended there is a need to upgrade the security at these libraries.
The ANC-led Merafong Local Municipality must ensure that they upgrade security features in all their libraries to safeguard the library resources and ensure the staff’s safety and security.