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City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services

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Coordinates: 26°11′47″S 28°01′15″E / 26.19651072125009°S 28.020844264737278°E / -26.19651072125009; 28.020844264737278
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City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services
Map
26°11′47″S 28°01′15″E / 26.19651072125009°S 28.020844264737278°E / -26.19651072125009; 28.020844264737278
Location22 Solomon St, Vrededorp, Johannesburg, 2001
Established1890; 135 years ago (1890)
Other information
DirectorNobuntu Mpendulo[1]
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services (CoJLIS) is the public library system of the City of Johannesburg metropolitan government in Gauteng, South Africa.[2] It oversees about 90 public branch libraries across seven administrative regions (A–G),[3] serving the city's roughly 4.9 million residents. CoJLIS is part of the city's Community Development cluster and aims to support literacy, lifelong learning and digital access for all Johannesburg communities.[4]

History

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The Johannesburg public library tradition dates to the early 1890s. Shortly after Johannesburg was founded (1886), a volunteer library committee secured premises and appointed the first librarian in 1890s.[5] As the town grew, the Johannesburg Town Council took control of the library in 1924 and planned a major new building. The landmark Italianate Johannesburg City Library (JCL) building on Market Square was completed in 1935.[5] During the apartheid era the system expanded separate branches (including the first Soweto branch in 1937), and in 1974 the main Johannesburg Public Library became the first South African public library to admit Black and Coloured members.[5]

After the end of apartheid and the 1990s reorganisation of local government, the Johannesburg library service was unified. In 2006 the City of Johannesburg restructured libraries into seven regions (Regions A–G) to ensure equal access across the metro.[5] The Johannesburg City Library (the central heritage branch) was closed in April 2009 for an extensive R68-million renovation.[5] It officially reopened in February 2012 as a modernised "21st-century model city library".[5] More recently, the central library was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained closed for five years[6] for further work. The library partially reopened in March 2025 (first floor only) with the children's library and the historic collection (~1.5 million volumes) again available to the public.[5][7] The Mayor committed to opening all floors open by June 2025.[8]

Services

[edit]

CoJLIS offers a full range of library services to all ages. Key offerings include:

  • Lending and collections. All branch libraries provide free lending of printed materials (books, magazines) and reference assistance. Many also lend DVDs, audiobooks and have in-library music collections. Some branches list "Lending services (print and online)" and dedicated study spaces.[9] The system maintains tens of thousands of titles and digital resources. Registered members can also borrow e-books and audiobooks through the OverDrive platform, accessible 24/7 on personal devices.[10][11]
  • Digital access. Libraries provide free internet and computer access. Most branches offer free Wi-Fi and public computers as part of the "eLearning" programme. For example, Noordgesig Library (revamped 2021) provides unlimited free Wi-Fi to patrons and an e-classroom for digital skills training.[10] CoJLIS also runs other ICT literacy programs to bridge the digital divide.[12]
  • Educational and reading programs. CoJLIS libraries run numerous literacy and enrichment programs. These include reading clubs, story hours, homework help and youth contests (e.g. "Battle of the Books" quiz competitions). For instance, Orange Farm Library offers programs such as Story Skirmish, Battle of the Books, teen book clubs and holiday holiday education events.[11] Early Childhood Development (ECD) reading initiatives and adult literacy workshops are common. Libraries often partner with schools and community groups to promote reading and learning.
  • Community outreach. Beyond branches, CoJLIS provides outreach services to underserved areas. Mobile library vehicles and satellite centres (sometimes called "Bookmobiles") travel to informal settlements and remote townships. Outreach staff deliver books and run pop-up reading sessions at community centers, schools or clinics. CoJLIS also hosts events like career expos and healthy living workshops to engage residents. (For example, Orange Farm Library has hosted career days and business skills workshops in partnership with local NGOs.[11]
  • Technology and innovation. In line with the city's "Smart City" vision, CoJLIS has adopted innovative services. Since 2016, an eLearning division has spearheaded tech integration: installing free Wi-Fi throughout libraries, adding tablet and laptop lending, and launching cojelearning.org.za (a mobile-friendly portal for learners).[4][13] SirsiDynix is the new integrated library system which allows unified catalogs across branches. Some modern branches (e.g. Paterson Park) are planned to include makerspaces and high-tech labs for coding and 3D design.[9] Overall, Johannesburg libraries emphasise digital literacy and adapt to emerging tech to make libraries "community-centered smart hubs".[14]


Library network and list of libraries

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CoJLIS currently operates roughly 90 branch libraries across the city's seven regions.[2][3] The flagship Johannesburg City Library (Market Square) is a historic neoclassical building opened in 1935. It holds over 1.5 million volumes (books, newspapers and archives).[7] After a major renovation it reopened in 2012,[15] and as of 2025 its first floor is once again serving the public.[7]

List of libraries in CoJLIS

[edit]
  • Alexandra 3rd Ave Public Library
  • Alexandra 8th Ave Library
  • Blackheath Library
  • Boskruin Library
  • Bosmont Public Library
  • Bramfischerville Library
  • Brixton Library
  • Bryanston Library
  • Coronationville Library
  • Cosmo City Library
  • Diepkloof Zone 1 Library
  • Diepkloof Zone 5 Library
  • Diepsloot Library
  • Dreizik Library
  • Dobsonville Library
  • Coronationville Public Library
  • Cosmo City Library
  • Eldorado Park Ext. 2 Library
  • Eldorado Park Ext. 5 Library
  • Emmarentia Public Library
  • Emndeni Library
  • Ennerdale Ext 1 Library
  • Ennerdale Ext 9 Library
  • Freedom Park Library
  • Glenanda Library
  • Florida Library
  • Halfway House Library
  • Hillbrow Library
  • Horizon View Library
  • Ivory Park Library
  • Ivory Park North Library
  • Jabavu Library
  • JCL African Studies
  • JCL Art Gallery
  • JCL Art Library
  • JCL Children's Book Collection
  • JCL Lending
  • JCL Multimedia Library
  • JCL Performing Arts
  • Johannesburg Art Gallery
  • Johannesburg City Library
  • Johannesburg Museum Africa
  • JHB Hector Peterson Library
  • Killarney Library
  • Klipfontein View Library
  • Klipspruit Children's Library
  • Klipspruit West Library
  • Lehae Library
  • Lenasia Ext. 3 Library
  • Lenasia South Library
  • Leondale Library
  • Linbro Park Library
  • Linden Library
  • Malvern Library
  • Mamelodi West Library
  • Mayfair Library
  • Meadowlands Library
  • Melville Public Library
  • Mofolo Library
  • Murray Park Library
  • Newlands Library
  • Noordgesig Library
  • Norwood Library
  • Olifantsfontein Library
  • Olivedale Library
  • Orange Farm Library
  • Orange Grove Reference Library
  • Orlando East Public Library
  • Parkhurst Public Library
  • Parkview Library
  • Paterson Park Library
  • Phiri Library
  • Phomolong Library
  • Pimville Library
  • Poortjie Library
  • Prison JHB Female
  • Prison JHB Maximum
  • Prison JHB Medium
  • Prison Leeukop Medium A Library
  • Prison Leeukop Medium B Library
  • Prison Leeukop Maximum Library
  • Prison Leeukop Youth
  • Protea North Library
  • Protea Glen Library
  • Rabie Ridge Library
  • Randburg Library
  • Rhodes Park Library
  • Riverlea Library
  • River Park Library
  • Rivonia Library
  • Roodepoort Library
  • Rosebank Public Library
  • Rosettenville Public Library
  • Sandringham Library
  • Sandton Public Library
  • Sandown Library
  • Satellite Services Libraries
  • Satellite Bram Fischerville
  • Satellite Chris Hani Hos
  • Satellite Alexan Kopano
  • Satellite AT Leratong
  • Satellite Pennyville
  • Satellite Slovoville
  • Sandringham Library
  • Savoy Library
  • Slovoville Library
  • Southdale Library
  • South Hills Library
  • Strubensvalley Library
  • Tshepisong Library
  • Vanderbijlpark Public Library
  • Vlakfontein Library
  • Weltevredenpark Public Library
  • Westbury Library
  • Wilro Park Library
  • Witpoortjie Library
  • Yeoville Library

Each branch caters to local needs but is linked by a unified system and online catalog. Collectively, Johannesburg's library network provides free educational resources, information access and digital services citywide.[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ https://joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2023%20News%20Articles/April/Nobuntu-is-at-the-forefront-of-steering-City-Libraries-into-the-digital-space.aspx [bare URL]
  2. ^ a b c Mbambo, Sifiso; Jiyane, Glenrose (15 December 2023). "Strategies for marketing information and knowledge services of electronic learning centres in the City of Johannesburg Public Libraries". South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science. 89 (1).
  3. ^ a b Mbambo, Sifiso Michael; Jiyane, Glenrose Velile. "Strategies for marketing information and knowledge services of electronic learning centres in the City of Johannesburg Public Libraries (download)". sajlis.journals.ac.za. doi:10.7553/89-1-2171 (inactive 1 July 2025). Retrieved 29 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
  4. ^ a b c Mpendulo, Nobuntu (31 July 2023). "Digital transformation in City of Johannesburg Libraries post pandemic: redesigning and repurposing the use of library spaces through hybrid library services". repository.ifla.org. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Anna H Smith - City Librarian, Johannesburg Public Library 1960-1975 | The Heritage Portal". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  6. ^ Bhana, Aarti (20 March 2025). "Joburg library's doors open after five years". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Ngcobo, Thandoluhle. "CoJ partially reopens Johannesburg City Library". EWN. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  8. ^ Sibiya, By Silver (24 January 2025). "Here's what's happening with Johannesburg's libraries". GroundUp News. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Paterson Park Library – Cojelearning". 22 September 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Noordgesig Library – Cojelearning". 23 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Orange Farm Library – Cojelearning". 28 April 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  12. ^ Mpendulo, Nobuntu (31 July 2023). Digital transformation in City of Johannesburg Libraries post pandemic: redesigning and repurposing the use of library spaces through hybrid library services. IFLA World Library and Information Congress. Amsterdam: IFLA. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Digital transformation in City of Johannesburg Libraries post pandemic: redesigning and repurposing the use of library spaces through hybrid library services". repository.ifla.org.
  14. ^ Mpendulo, Nobuntu (31 July 2023). Digital transformation in City of Johannesburg Libraries post pandemic: redesigning and repurposing the use of library spaces through hybrid library services. IFLA World Library and Information Congress. Amsterdam: IFLA. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  15. ^ Reporter, Staff (15 February 2012). "Treasure house of the mind". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
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