The Paterson Park Library in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) was officially opened on 12 October 2021 by the City of Johannesburg then Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mpho Moerane, and attended by invited guests and members of the communities of Norwood, Orchards, Orange Grove, and adjacent neighbourhoods.
The new state-of-the-art library aligns to the COJ priority of an active and engaged citizenry and is in line with the Library and Information Services vision; “A network of vibrant African libraries that are spaces of choice to all communities for knowledge, learning and recreational activities”.
The following services are provided for various user categories:
- Lending services (print and online)
- Reference service and research support
- Study space and support.
- Programme implementation such as reading development programmes
- Children services (homework assistance, story hours, holiday programmes)
- eLearning programmes (digital literacy activities) for all age groups
- Free Wi-Fi will be available once the ICT infrastructure is in place.
The Paterson Park Library fulfills various community-centered roles:
- Community Center – where community gather for various activities – to learn, to socialize, to meet, do business, conduct research, educate their children etc.
- Entertainment space– through various media, this library will provide entertainment for the surrounding communities
- Empowerment center– where communities can learn various skills – digital skills, literacy skills, reading and learning skills, where users are assisted in accessing digital content using free wifi, including online job applications.
- Education space – where quiet reading, learning, and research is encouraged, whilst offering space for discussions and community to share ideas
- Safe Hub for children– where children are encouraged to develop early literacy skills, assistance with homework, and holiday programmes, therefore, providing a safe space for education and leisure.
- Cultural center – where people of different cultural backgrounds, different age groups, and different social status converge in one space, therefore it is a melting pot for various cultural activities, therefore contributing to social cohesion.
- eLearning Centre – The City’s eLearning Programme continues to promote social transformation by providing digital skills and access to electronic information resources for citizens of the City’s
- Makerspaces – in the near future makerspaces will be introduced in which groups of people share knowledge skills, tools, and ideas to create things.