An initiative that will allow public libraries in Stellenbosch to offer audiobooks and e-books to residents was recently launched by the Western Cape provincial department of cultural affairs and sport.
The initiative, which was launched in public libraries throughout the Western Cape on 17 August, aims to assist the public in having safe access to literature, according to Tania Colyn, spokesperson for the department of cultural affairs and sport.
The new e-book and audiobook service available for members of Western Cape libraries aims to assist the public in having safe access to literature, according to Tania Colyn, spokesperson for the department of cultural affairs and sport. PHOTO: Unsplash/Frank Holleman
“The [Covid-19] pandemic highlighted the need for people to have access to e-books, as libraries often could not be accessed physically during the various levels of lockdown,” said Colyn.
Stuart Grobbelaar, the spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, told MatieMedia that the municipality hopes the new programme will benefit Stellenbosch students and their studies.
“E-books ensure that students are proactively interacting with the learning material, thereby providing them with an enriched learning experience, and this results in improved academic performance,” said Grobbelaar.
The new system will allow library members access to digital and audiobooks through the Overdrive system, which works through an app called Libby, according to Colyn. “The system will provide users access to thousands of books in English, Afrikaans and [isi]Xhosa,” said Colyn.
E-books are books that have been uploaded in digital format, making them accessible from any electronic device. PHOTO: Unsplash/Felipe Pelaquim Lima
The accessibility and flexibility of e-books will also benefit library patrons, as the e-books can be “issued immediately”, and “patrons are able to reserve books at no cost”, according to Grobbelaar.
“E-books are portable. You can carry your books with you on a CD, on a laptop, smartphone or any e-book reader,” said Grobbelaar.
The staff of public libraries in the Stellenbosch area are excited for the new system to take effect, according to Sarala Majudith, the libraries manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. They also plan to monitor how patrons respond to the new service, she said.
“We have no doubt [the new service] is going to be a resounding success,” said Majudith.
The service is freely available to any citizen that is registered with a Western Cape library, but is not accessible to unregistered citizens, said Colyn.
“We encourage members of the public to sign up for a membership at their local library if they would be interested in using this system,” she said.
The Stellenbosch Public Library on Plein Street, Stellenbosch, will be able to offer members access to e-books and audiobooks through a new system that was launched on 17 August. PHOTO: Wessel Krige