Good news for bookworms
20 September 2020
MBOMBELA – Lockdown Alert Level One has brought good news for library users in Mpumalanga - all 116 libraries will open their doors to the public on Monday, September 21.
"The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has granted Mpumalanga permission to reopen libraries," says the department's Sibongile Nkosi, adding that the reopening of the libraries will be done with strict adherence to Covid-19 health and safety protocols such as wearing of face masks, social distancing and practicing good hygiene.
"Protective counter screens have been installed at receptions desks to protect both librarians and users against the spread of Covid-19," explained Nkosi. She added that Category A libraries will admit a maximum of 50 users at a given time, Category B 30 and Category C 10.
"The libraries will offer the following services: access to Internet and WiFi, limited use of study area and lending of books (drop boxes have been made available at entrances where returned books will be dropped off, disinfected and quarantined for 72 hours to kill the virus, " said Nkosi.
"The department has put together a reopening plan that will be followed down to a tee to ensure that there are no flare ups of the virus," concluded Nkosi.