Good morning, goeie môre, molweni
Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests
Access to information plays an important role within any community. Through this we can ensure the creation of a platform through which we can realise the vision of being a socially cohesive, creative and active Western Cape. This platform can be used to promote culture, recreation, literacy, education and free access to information for all.
The celebration of Library Week, which is celebrated annually during the third week of March, is part of a national drive to promote the services provided by libraries, as well as reading and the benefits of literacy. As a department we believe that we certainly open doors for those individuals who utilise our information resources and services, while supporting them in developing their full potential. Along with this our promotional material at our public libraries, enable our librarians to organise activities for the communities which they serve.
However, the ongoing challenge related to the constitutional mandates and the allocation of credible budgets to deliver an effective library service remains an ongoing challenge. This problem, I must add, is not unique to the Western Cape. It is a national problem and certainly being discussed with at various spheres of government.
Within this province we are working tirelessly to resolve this issue with all concerned parties, as a matter of urgency, as libraries play a critical role in the empowerment of our communities. We further endeavour to provide safe public spaces, which can serve as a catalyst, a sort of retreat for the community, against the issues which plague our society on a daily basis, where we can further ensure a safe haven for constructive engagement and recreational facility beneficial to positive social development.
Encouraging our youth to read will play a contributing factor to economic growth, as the information resources at their disposal can equip them with the necessary skills required in the job market.
‘n Fokus datum vir die promosie en die gebruik van ons openbare biblioteke is dié, ons jaarlikse Biblioteekweek. Die bevordering van die gebruik van ons openbare biblioteke en die daarstelling van ‘n leeskultuur is belangrike doelwitte van die Biblioteekdiens.
The theme for Library Week 2010, “Read The Game, Score at Your Library” is inspired by the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup fever. The 2010 FIFA World Cup provides the province and indeed South Africa and Africa with a unique opportunity to market its wide variety of cultural, sports and tourism offerings.
The Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation believes that an integrated and collaborative approach in the planning relating to the social legacy aspects of the tournament will ensure that our facilities and stakeholders are given maximum exposure to the possibilities and opportunities that the tournament provides.
We have confidence in the fact that the 2010 FIFA World Cup unit, in collaboration with all the directorates within the department and working with the Office of the Premier and other related programmes, will be able to deliver on its mandate of creating and enabling an environment for success, as well as to create a lasting legacy for future generations. The year 2010 is indeed a milestone for our country, in that this will be an exciting event for our department as we deliver on the sport and cultural legacy which the World Cup brings along with it.
The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will be harnessed as a catalyst to be the glue that holds our communities together and focus our people, particularly our youth. It will be used to reap the potential developmental benefits from the hosting of such an event for the entire province, leaving a legacy that is tangible and sustainable.
The department is capacitated to manage the conditional grant received from the national Department of Arts and Culture earmarked for the library service, which resulted in transfer payments of municipalities to appoint additional staff, the establishing of literacy information and communication technology (ICT) projects and the funding of maintenance projects at public libraries.
The provision of public library services in partnerships with municipalities continues. The demand for services and the need for new library facilities and upgrading of existing library buildings were highlighted in a survey conducted by the provincial library service in July 2009.
Our sport, arts, language, museums, library and archive services further endeavours to ensure that we truly support the culture of learning and teaching through closer links and partnerships with schools and communities.
The library service always strives to make libraries accessible to disadvantaged communities. More libraries with appropriate facilities are needed to enhance the education level of the youth and to prepare them for employment.
In disadvantaged communities the need for proper study facilities are of the utmost importance. Special emphasis in the library planning process will be made on study facilities and as an ongoing process all existing study facilities will be assessed.
As an agent for lifelong learning one of the objectives of the library service is to support literacy projects at public libraries. The library service will continue to buy appropriate literacy material to be used by learners and to provide material for new literates to sustain the literacy level and to encourage them to expand their knowledge and gain reading experience by using the books in public libraries.
Youth development is also promoted through outreach activities at public libraries. The library service makes available promotional material, which aims to make the youth aware of the role of libraries as a centre for education and information and to establish a reading culture. Cultural programmes for the youth are also offered by public libraries.
Librarians, finally I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate you for the good work you are doing in your respective communities to assist in the development and enrichment of the lives of the people of the Western Cape. Your contribution is invaluable!!
I thank you, baie dankie, enkosi!
