11 Dec 2022

In the absence of plans to build a new public library in Mahalapye, the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture continues to capacitate the existing library with reading materials to address challenges.

Assistant Minister Mr Buti Billy told Parliament that the ministry was aware of shortage of reading material and lack of reading space at Mahalapye Public Library hence the commitment to address the challenges.

He said the ministry had procured reading material for the library including those for use by children and were currently being processed before they could be accessed by the public.

Mr Billy was hopeful that the process of completing the procurement process which entailed cataloguing, classification and accessioning of all new materials would be completed soon and books delivered to the library by end of December.

He said the ministry as part of its maintenance, repainted the library and installed additional bookshelves in October while the rest of the maintenance work would be completed in the 2023/2024 financial year.

He acknowledged that the library did not have a vehicle of its own due to financial status, therefore was sharing a vehicle with the ministry’s sub-district. The assistant minister said Mahalapye library was expected to submit anticipated transport needs to the principal programme officer for proper coordination and scheduling with other transport needs for other ministry functions.

He further stated that there was an omission to incorporate public toilets during the construction of the library, adding that members of the community were assisted from the community hall.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere had asked the minister if he was aware of the dilapidated status of Mahalapye library and why the office had no transport for outreach purposes. ENDS