Gqebherha Main Public Library
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Port Elizabeth Main Public Library (now Gqeberha Main Public Library) is a historic monument, situated at the northwestern corner of Market (renamed Vuyisile Mini) square in central Gqeberha Eastern Cape, South Africa. With its granite stairs, imported terracotta facade and green Westmoreland slate roof, [1], the "Savage Memorial Hall"" is the main Public Library in the region, serving the residents of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.[2]
History
[edit]
Public libraries have a long history in the Eastern Cape. In 1835, Sir Benjamin D’Urban offered land for a library in a public square.[3] The library began to take form in 1844 as the "Port Elizabeth News Society", a subscription reading society housed above a Jetty Street shop.[4] In 1845, the reading room moved into a rented room in the commercial hall, and transitioned into a formal subscription library, occupying part of the Commercial Hall. Public subscriptions generated a yearly and the government gave an additional grant. A small bookshelf supplemented the selection of English magazines and UK newspapers.[5]
Through a shares system, the committee responsible for the library acquired the Commercial Hall and rented it out to the government as a Court house. The Victotian Gothic building is seen as a fine example of archtecture was opened on 29 July 1902. [6]
Shaped like a Greek cross, [7]William Savage's visage can be seen in one of the library's stained glass windows.[8]. The building was designed by Henry Cheers, a Twickenham architect[9] With a statue of Queen Victoria in the forecourt, created by British sculptor Edward Roscoe [10] The marble statue from Sicily depicts Queen Victoria in royal robes, wearing her small diamond crown. Her statue was erected and unveiled in front of the newly opened public library on 30 September 1903 by J.C. Kemsley, then Mayor of Port Elizabeth.[11] The Statue was restored in 1992 by Anton Momberg, but vandalised again in 2015. as part of the "Rhodes must fall" campaign.[12] · .[13]
The Library building has historical value and reflects the cities architectural under currents. [14] Visitors can see and intricate decorative terrocotta facade, which was manufactured in England, shipped to Port Elizabeth in numbered blocks and meticulously reassembled, on site.[15] Inside, the library has stained glass windows, ornate woodwork and a central atrium. It was declared a National Monument on 7 December 1973. [16]
Read further on French Wikipedia
[edit]Statue de la Reine Victoria (Port Elizabeth). (2023, septembre 5). Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre. Page consultée le 20:55, septembre 5, 2023 à partir de http://fr.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Statue_de_la_Reine_Victoria_(Port_Elizabeth)&oldid=207618631.
- Extensive collection of books, audiobooks, e-books, and other materials
- Free Wi-Fi and computer access
- Study areas and meeting rooms
- Children's section with storytelling and educational programs
- Research assistance and interlibrary loan services
Events and programs
[edit]- Author talks and book launches
- Children's storytime and holiday programs
- Book clubs and literacy programs
- Exhibitions and displays on local history and culture
Operating hours
[edit]| Day | Hours[18] |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Tuesday -Thursday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 – 13:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
Main library availability
[edit]Flooding in 2006 and then again in 2012, interrupted library services. In 2024, the library has been closed, to address leaks and water damage,[19] and a multimillion-rand upgrade project, to restore and repair first the leaking roof has been undertaken.[20] All libraries were closured due to Covid restrictions from March 2020 to August 2021[21] and in some cases certain library services were not restored, either because of vandalism.[22] or because of national and regional management's tendency to close the many national, city and local libraries around the country for repairs.[23][24][25]
While closed to the general public, the city has adopted a cruise strategy [26] and the colonial building is opened to these tourists, so when Cruise Liners [27] visit the city, they can take a shore excursion and view the marine life heritage in the library.[28]
Satellite Library Services
[edit]In the rural areas of the eastern cape, newly established libraries are addressing a need.[29] The picture is uneven and some satellite libraries and their buildings remain shut.[30]
References
[edit]- ^ https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes_mob.php?bldgid=3312
- ^ https://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/DataRepository/Documents/library-services-policy-version-2adopted-31may23_JnPi3.pdf
- ^ McCleland, Dean (2023-07-16). "Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Main Public Library - an Unalloyed Gem". The Casual Observer. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ https://portelizabethdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2012/04/historic-public-library.html
- ^ "Port Elizabeth Main Library - Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)". Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ https://www.archiseek.com/savage-memorial-hall-public-library-port-elizabeth-south-africa/
- ^ https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/savage-memorial-hall-and-public-library-port-elizabeth
- ^ https://fireflyafrica.co.za/william-savage-stained-glass-window/
- ^ "Public Library, Port Elizabeth | South African History Online". sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Podcasts, TimesLIVE, Heritage artifacts: should they stay or go?, retrieved 2025-06-23
- ^ "Statue of Queen Victoria | Yale Center For British Art". interactive.britishart.yale.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "Queen Victoria statue vandalised in PE". News24. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "PE's Queen Victoria statue painted green". eNCA. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Robbins, D. (2018) Gateway Port Elizabeth South Africa News https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/getaway-south-africa/20180901/281552291705436
- ^ "Port Elizabeth Main Library - Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)". Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Kadi P. (2007) The Group Areas Act and Port Elizabeth’s heritage: A Study of Memorial Recollection in the South End Museum
- ^ https://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/datarepository/documents/how-to-join-the-library-2017.pdf
- ^ https://www.nmbt.co.za/listing/port_elizabeth_library.html
- ^ "IN PICS | Treasure trove slowly regaining glory". The Herald. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "GALLERY | Sneak peek inside Main Library as renovations continue". The Herald. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Chirume, By Joseph (2022-04-01). "Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality let libraries go to ruin during lockdown". GroundUp News. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ Chirume, By Joseph (2021-08-25). "Crucial services lost because of library vandals". GroundUp News. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ https://www.actionsa.org.za/actionsa-demands-an-urgent-inquiry-into-the-closure-of-zwide-library-and-municipal-mismanagement/
- ^ https://peoplespost.co.za/library-remains-closed-as-work-continues/
- ^ https://groundup.org.za/article/nearly-5-year-closure-of-johannesburg-city-library-to-end-in-june-says-mayor/
- ^ https://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/DataRepository/Documents/nelson-mandela-bay-cruise-line-strategy-final-draft_8LQf0.pdf
- ^ "Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), South Africa Panoramic Port Elizabeth Excursion | Norwegian Cruise Line". www.ncl.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "Public library provides ray of hope amid rundown city centre". The Herald. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ SABC News (2024-04-25). Revamping libraries in the Eastern Cape. Retrieved 2025-06-23 – via YouTube.
- ^ Chirume, By Joseph (2024-03-14). "Library services crippled in Nelson Mandela Bay". GroundUp News. Retrieved 2025-06-23.