Mzansi Libraries Online ICT initiative launched in Sharpeville
As the country winds down human rights month celebrations, the Gauteng City Region continues to forge ahead with its mission to restore the dignity and change the lives of its people. Earlier today, Tuesday, 29 March 2016- saw the third leg of the launch of the multimillion Mzansi Libraries On-Line Pilot Project at Nkalimeng Leutsoa Public Library in Sharpeville.
The project is an initiative of the Global Libraries Programme of South Africa funded by the National Libraries South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is an R32 million two-year project being piloted at three libraries within Gauteng, providing free new technological resources and training among many benefits.
The other two sites -which have already have already implemented the project- are Suurman Library in Tshwane and Wedela Library in Merafong.
With today’s launch, local communities both the young and old will have access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the value of R 470 000.
“As Madiba said Sharpeville is the nation’s “cradle of human rights” and it was therefore important that its people are among the first to benefit from such programmes which are intended to contribute towards restoring people’s dignity and providing them with the necessary skills development and access to information.” said Koekie Meyer, Director of Library and Archival Services at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
The new equipment at the Nkalimeng Leutsoa Library will greatly benefit the community of Sharpeville by providing the community with access to information and resources such as desk top computers, printers/scanners, tablets and free wi-fi.
Added Koekie Meyer “The project aims to enhance and strengthen library services in Gauteng by developing public libraries that are spaces for learning, recreation, socialisation and social cohesion, thus impacting on socio-economic transformation, education and access to employment”.
Following the success of the pilot project, Global Libraries Programme has committed to rollout the project to 44 more libraries across the Gauteng City region over the next 3 years, with 14 to be completed in the 2016/2017 financial year.
