Library subsidy increase still far from enough

Running our local libraries demands a budget of R38m to R45m, however, the Buffalo City Metro has only secured R17.7m from the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture (DSRAC) for the 2024/25 financial year — leaving a significant funding gap that threatens the future of these vital community hubs.

BCM is mandated to run the local libraries on behalf of the department.

For this, the municipality receives a subsidy, which has remained at R15.8 m for the last five years, to serve 96,000 members.

This is not enough to run the 18 libraries, two mobile libraries, three old age homes, and three prison depots that are under the municipality’s care.

In August 2023, Mayor Princess Faku was charged by the council to approach the department for an increased subsidy of R45m and that the increase in the funding must come with an annual escalation clause.

This has not proven successful as the subsidy allocated for the 2024/25 financial year is only R1.1m more than before, with no annual escalation clause.

This steep gap between the funds needed to run libraries and the subsidy allocated will see the state of local libraries continue to deteriorate, with reduced services, outdated materials, compromised infrastructure, and potential closures.

There is ongoing discussion regarding provincialising libraries, which could see the department take control of running them, however, the impact of what this would entail on library staff employed by BCM and registered library members is unclear.

Department spokesperson Andile Nduna said: “There are constant engagements with municipalities with the guidance of the provincial Treasury to bridge the funding gaps that affect us all.

“These engagements are seeking to practicalise the provincialisation of the library service and the upkeep and maintenance of libraries.

“Some of these interventions relate to staffing and reallocation of financial resources.

“Furthermore, the department has written a moratorium letter to municipalities that prohibits municipalities from appointing until the standardised approach on appointments is reached and agreed upon.

“Rumours regarding the possibility that some libraries could be closed because of the provincialisation have no substance since the provincialisation process has not even started.

“The libraries in BCM remain the asset of the Metro until the whole process of provincialisation is concluded.”

For many in the city, such as children from Nompumelelo and Ducats, their local library is an important resource that if closed due to funding challenges or provincialisation, would spell the end of their limited access to essential resources.

Pupils from schools in the under-resourced communities surrounding Beacon Bay walk 10km to the Beacon Bay library and back — in the rain and the dark — for their school projects.

Unlike other libraries in the city, the Beacon Bay library is equipped with a computer room and Wi-Fi donated from Vumatel, which was set up in the last few years by the ward councillors office for Ward 28.

GO! & Express visited the facility and saw almost 30 pupils from grades 8-10 crowded around the few available computers.

The pupils said the Beacon Bay library was the only place where they had access to the internet, books to use for their homework and projects, and assistance from the librarians.

The pupils are not comfortable with basic computer literacy such as Microsoft Word, Google Scholar, PowerPoint, and Excel.

The only place they have access to these digital platforms is at the Beacon Bay library, which is only for an hour every few days in the week. A group of grade 8 pupils said they were scared to walk home in the late afternoon after visiting the library because they were then vulnerable to being attacked or robbed by criminals.

Ward councillor Frederick Pohl stressed the importance of the computer centre and the library as a vital community asset, particularly for pupils and adults needing access to the internet to search for and apply for job opportunities.

Pohl and his ward committee envision the computer centre and library evolving into a fully-fledged learning hub where residents of all ages can acquire valuable computer skills.

His ward committee also sees potential for adding features such as an outdoor kiosk serving light snacks and drinks and even introducing computer coding classes with additional equipment.

The ward committee is calling for skilled community members to volunteer their expertise to help teach computer literacy, not just to pupils but also to elderly residents.

Pohl expressed his deep appreciation for ward committee member Mike Williams, whose passion, commitment, and perseverance have been key to the success of the community computer centre and hopes that more people like him will come together to ensure the future success of local libraries as the funds and capacity from the department and the municipality will continue to remain constrained.