(Temporarily closed for renovations until further notice)
The library opened its doors to the public in 1890, operating from several short-lived spaces provided, until a site was acquired in Kerk Street where it would stay for 40 years. The first building, a corrugated iron structure, was replaced by a new structure in 1898.
In 1923 the subscribers agreed to cede the library to the Johannesburg Town Council, and it became a free lending library. A new building was erected on the Market Square site – completed in 1935. The library closed for renovations (2009) and re-opened in 2012.
Johannesburg City Library consists of 8 Collections (African Studies, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Young Adult Reference – YARL, Reference, Children’s Library, (including Children’s Book Collection for research), Adult Lending and the Newsroom). Other sections include the e-Classroom, and the Stacks.
The library is currently led by Assistant Director Mr Johannes Masenya, assisted by Manager; Mr Johannes Kgoadi and Administration Officer Prudence Chauke. There is a total of 50 permanent staff members.
*Email us for a detailed JCL profile.
Good Day, i am currently looking foe available vacancies in the library’s website, my qualification is archives and records management which am in need of gaining experiencing and building my career on it.
Dear Abigail
Thank you for your interest in Joburg library services
For ALL Job applications, you must visit the City’s website http://www.joburg.org.za and click on “work in Joburg” on the menu, it will open the page with “Job opportunities”. Click that option and it will take you to different opportunities (permanent, contract, internship ect). You select the 2023 jobs and see if there are any positions suitable for your qualifications.
We have recently advertised for contract internship positions in libraries (I attached pdf on the second email I sent) closing on the 6th June. See if you qualify and apply. THIS EMAIL DOES NOT GUARANTEE or PROMISE that you will be selected. IT is just to share information.
Also, with other municipalities or universities, they have websites. Check their websites under “job opportunities”, or “employment” or “Recruitment” or “Vacancies” or “work for”. They use different terms for job adverts.
Good luck
Your Elearning Librarian
Am looking to donate books who do i contact.
Hi Dowi
Send us an email to enquiries@cojelearning.org.za
Greetings, I would like to book the hall inside the library. Who do I contact? Thanks
Dear Helen
the JCL Library is currently closed for renovations.
Kind regards
Your Elearning Librarian
Will it Ever be opened again?
Dear Eunice
Thank you for your interest in our library services. The closure of the JCL is being addressed by relevant authorities and therefore we do not have an official answer as to when it will be reopened.
Regards
Your ELearning Librarian
Greetings, I would like access to the Newspaper reading room to research some aspects of early Johannesburg history. How long will the JPL be closed for renovations?
Dear Richard
Thank you for your interest in our library services. The closure of the JCL is being addressed by relevant authorities and therefore we do not have an official answer as to when it will be reopened. With regards to your enquiry on accessing newspapers, as a recommendation: we have a subscription to Newsbank which is a news database resource that provides archives of media publications (previous issues) as reference materials to libraries
To access Newsbank, you need to visit one of our libraries and staff would access the eresource using the City network. Suggested Library can be Sandton since they have reference section, or Florida. we recommend that you first contact that library to get the librarian to check access to Newsbank before you go there.
All the best
Kind Regards
Your Elearning Librarian
Good day, Is the Johannesburg City Library currently still closed? Is there any way to access their holdings while closed? I’m a PhD student currently looking for access to two nineteenth-century periodicals. The South African Quarterly Journal (published 1830-1836) and the Eastern Province Monthly Magazine (published 1856-1858).
Any information in this regard would be much appreciated
CAN ONE ACCESS AN INVENTORY OF THE BOOKS AVAILABLE AT THE JOHANNESBURG LIBRARY ONLINE ?
Good day
I trust that you are well. I have heard that the Johannesburg Central Library has been closed. May I please request to know where the books in the reference section will be moved to for the public o continue using.
Dear Duron
The Johannesburg Central Library will be reopened once renovations are completed. Please see article > https://joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2024%20News%20Article/May/City-committed-to-reopening-the-Joburg-Library.aspx
Should you require specific books, please send us an email to enquiries@cojelearning.org.za
Kind regards
Elearning Office
Greetings,
I am from COPT short for Community Outreach Program Trust a registered non-profit and public benefit organization; would like to be considered for donation of old and unused literature and books đź“š; to assist our communities with literacy.
Dear Bongani
Will forward your enquiry to the Collection development office and update you on email
Your Elearning Office
Hello, I would like to know if/when the library has opened it’s doors and if not, can you suggest an alternative?
Dear Nic
The JCL library is still closed. Please make use of the nearest libraries in Region F libraries such as Yeoville, Mayfair, Hillbrow libraries. Or search on our libraries list that we will email to you.
Elearning office
good morning how do I connect withe the music library? Please and Thank you
Dear Isle
The JCL library is still closed for renovations.
elearning office
Good day, I would like to request that a scan of this manuscript in the JPL collection be sent to me:
Johan Hendrik Naude “Die Sonnet in Afrikaans” (107 pp.) how do I proceed further please?
All the best,
Tony Voss
Good day, Are you able to respond to my query please?
Dear Tony
We forwaded your query to officials. Let me contact them directly. I will make sure that they response swiftly
Elearning office
I am the Director of Mminowabatho Enterprise’s. I am managing Moov Education of South Africa. I am willing to do Presentation of Award’s at City Library of South Africa.
Dear Nathaniel
Please kindly email us more details about Moov Education, to enquiries@cojelearning.org.za
Regards
Elearning Office
Hi, are there any vacancies being advertised as the library is nearing to reopen? Please consider me. David Raphalalane, 0789475675,daviddawood25@gmail.com, I’m a jack of all trade but happy to share my qualifications if needs be.
Dear David
There are no vacancies available currently in our library services department. The Library will be reopened with the same staff who had been working there before. Should you wish to apply for jobs at any department within the City, please visit the website http://www.joburg.org.za and click on “work in Joburg” and search for available positions.
Good Luck
Elearning Office
Is the library open now ? Last month (February) it was closed for renovations/ maintenance. Is it open now ? 5/03/2025?
Hi Karabo
The City Library was partially reopened on March 21, and the rest of the sections will be opened fully before end of the year
Elearning office
Good day, I am a final year Public Relations and Communication student from UJ looking for an opportunity to complete my Work Integrated Learning module in order to complete my diploma. I would like to ask if there is any vacancy that would provide me with this opportunity at the beloved library.
Please check your email
Hi, does the library open on Saturdays and what are the working hours?
Please check your email