Free access to public libraries now

Since the start of the new year, much of South Africa’s focus has been on education, with matric results being announced and scores of children starting Grade 1. However, given the state of the education system, one might ask what determines success for children who start and stay in school, passing their matric certificate 12 years later?

The ability to read and write is the basis of a successful education for every child and reading for enjoyment is a strong indicator for future academic success.

Children who read regularly and hear engaging stories, in languages they understand, are well prepared and motivated to learn to read and write. However, in South Africa, 90% of the population earns just 7% of the country’s income, meaning that very few households can afford to buy books just for leisure to read to their children.

Public libraries play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor in terms of free access to books and information.

Emerging research on the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign’s clubs, suggests that libraries are, after Nal’ibali, the most significant source of reading materials for children for the simple reason that having increased access to a range of interesting books enables better literacy practices.

In October and November last year Nal’ibali ran a public library membership drive to get as many people as possible to sign up to public libraries so that they, too, could access a wide variety of reading materials and become active library members. In total, 23 513 people signed up for library cards.

This was a remarkable achievement. But, as we worked with librarians across the country, we realised that not all South Africans have free access to public libraries. For example, in Limpopo, a library membership card costs R45 for municipal account holders and an extra R180 for non-municipal account holders. People who cannot pay this fee or who do not have municipal accounts need to get their local chief to write a letter as a guarantor. This is clearly against the 2012 SA Public Library and Information Services Bill that aims to: “Promote access to public library and information services by providing free membership and free admission to public library and information services”, among other goals.

There are huge differences among provincial library services based on budgets, demographics and the geographic location. For example, Limpopo has only 74 libraries to cover a population of 5.8 million; the Free State has 174 libraries that serve a population of 2.7 million. This means each Limpopo library is serving 78 378 people – five times more than its Free State counterpart. This obviously places children in provinces, such as Limpopo, at a disadvantage and surely contributes to its status as the last-ranked of all provinces in terms of last year’s matric results?

If we would like to continue improving matric results, it is important that children have free access to books in public libraries.

It is for this reason that Nal’ibali is helping children become members of public libraries through drives and partnerships with libraries across the country. You, too, can help improve future matric results by getting your child a membership card at your local public library today. Alternatively, you can sign up to Nal’ibali’s volunteer network, FUNda Leader, to receive free training and discover the different ways you can champion literacy in your community.

Mubaiwa is research and advocacy lead at Nal’ibali. For more information about the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign, free children’s stories in a range of South African languages, tips on reading and writing for children, as well as details on how to sign up as a FUNda Leader, visit nalibali.org, nalibali.mobi, or find it on Facebook and Twitter @nalibaliSA

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