City libraries keeping kids busy these school holidays

03 July 2017

 

The City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services – a unit of the Social Development Department – has designed an extensive educational school holiday programme to keep learners constructively engaged throughout the three-week winter recess.

 

The programme, run in all the City’s 87 public libraries, is already in full swing and will continue until Friday July 21, before Gauteng public schools reopen on Monday July 24. Through this programme, the City seeks to take schoolchildren off the streets – and away from mischief – and engage them in stimulating fun and games.

The programme, specifically designed for children aged between three and 15, ensures that learning continues in a relaxed and safe environment. There are, however, also programmes for older learners and students.

With today’s world gripped by the digital revolution, it is not surprising that many of the City’s libraries will during the school holidays be offering the children a variety of techno literacy lessons. These include 
basic computer skills, how to use a tablet, search for information using Google Chrome, play educational games, download electronic articles, access Wi-Fi and other e-Resources, and use Overdrive, an online lending library service.

Some of the libraries that will offer these lessons include Diepsloot, Rabie Ridge, Bosmont, Emmarentia, Melville, Westbury, Diepkloof, Dobsonville, Emdeni, Jabavu, Klipsruit West, Orlando East, Phiri, Pimville, Protea Glen and Sandton.

Many of the 87 libraries will host story-hour activities. The stories will range from the life of the late former President Nelson Mandela (at Diepsloot Library) to the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret movie (at the Glenanda Library).

Children will also keep themselves busy by taking part in reading competitions or making party hats, photo frames, face masks, paper plates, paper aeroplanes and puzzles using cardboard.

Officials of Johannesburg Zoo and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will also teach children how to take care of animals (at the Diepkloof Zone 5 and Protea Glen libraries respectively).

Grade 12 learners have been urged to visit their local libraries to take advantage of the various library facilities offered as part of the Matriculants’ Support Programme.

Students can make use of the Wi-Fi and eWorld stations for online lessons, tutorials, past question papers and memorandums as well as online eLearning courses. Conducive studying and learning spaces and career guidance programmes are also available at most of the libraries.