Update on closed-down Joburg Central Library

The City of Johannesburg’s Community Development Department has shared an update on the progress of the Johannesburg Central Library’s R900 million rehabilitation.

Regarding the progress so far, In June the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) made significant strides in the library’s refurbishment:

• Submitted fire plans and rational design plans to Emergency Management Services (EMS) along with a strategy for partial reopening.
• Received EMS approval for these plans and the reopening strategy.
  These reports are publicly accessible upon request.

The library was closed due to a contravention notice from EMS, requiring necessary compliance work. The team has submitted site development and building plans to the Department of Development Planning and is awaiting approval.

The fire compliance work specification is complete, including the strategy for partial reopening.

The tender has been advertised, submissions received, and the JDA is in the process of appointing a contractor. The work is expected to start in September 2024 and last for ten months.

Partial Reopening Strategy

The partial reopening proposal has been approved by EMS, and it’s expected to be realized within six months of awarding the contract. Regular virtual and on-site meetings will ensure coordinated efforts and timely progress.

The City said it is committed to reopening the Central Library as soon as possible, recognizing the closure’s negative impact on students, researchers, and other citizens. Efforts are being made to expedite the process within policy guidelines to restore this vital resource to the community.

Some interesting facts:

The Johannesburg City Library first opened in 1935. It has over 1.5 million books and more than 250,000 members.

The internationally recognized Harold Strange Library of African Studies is one of the notable offerings at the Johannesburg City Library. It consists of vast collections of material on all aspects of the history and culture of Southern Africa.

It includes manuscripts, maps, private papers, books, pamphlets, and photographs. Of great interest to researchers are the collections of African languages, literature, and ethnology and the history of the Witwatersrand, gold mining, and Johannesburg. The newspaper section provides bound and microfilmed newspapers dating from the early 19th century and a cuttings collection covering a broad range of topics.