The City of Cape Town's 102 libraries and three mobile libraries will be in the spotlight when the 81st IFLA World Library and Information Congress takes place in Cape Town from Saturday, 15 to Friday, 21 August.

The City of Cape Town is proud to host the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress, which is expected to attract over 3000 delegates from more than 120 countries.

“An event such as the IFLA Conference offers the city’s librarians the opportunity to learn how libraries across the world are stepping into the future to embrace the increasingly digital world in which libraries now operate,” says the city’s mayoral committee member for community services and special projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.

“The city’s Library and Information Services Department is widely acclaimed as being one of the most resident-focused service departments in the city. Because we are the hosts of this conference, many of our libraries will have the chance to showcase their innovative programmes, contemporary spaces, rich architecture and special collections to the international library community,” says Walker.

The congress will include tours to various city libraries, including:

• Central Library, which is located in the historic Old Drill Hall. The library features one of the largest public art libraries, a children’s library, and a performing arts and music library;
• Harare Library, which boasts unique spaces, including a gaming room for teenagers and an early childhood development space known as Funda Udlale which caters for children up to the age of six;
• Elsies River Library, where the focus is on uplifting the community through access to library services. This library has been in operation since 1963 and was a centre of the Struggle in the 70s and 80s when it served as an official meeting place for students); and
• Bellville Library, which offers an extensive reference service in addition to large adult and children’s collections, a music and DVDs section, a pamphlet collection, as well as a space dedicated for teenagers, complete with bean bags. 

The theme for this year’s conference is Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation.

“As an inclusive city, this theme rings true for us in that our libraries have become more than just spaces where books are borrowed, but serve as centres of learning, entrepreneurship and innovation. Libraries are of critical importance in providing residents with access to information and the opportunities that spring from this. They have proven value in eradicating illiteracy and connecting people with study and work opportunities. Libraries connect residents to others, to their government and to the world,” says Walker.

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