The newly opened Groendal Library in Franschhoek is set to make Early Childhood Development (ECD) teaching easier for local teachers and parents by providing a bigger play area and newer ECD toys than was available in the previous Groendal children’s container library.
An infographic explaining Early Childhood Development policy and strategy in South Africa. Made by Christi Nortier
The new library was ceremonially opened on Friday, 7 September, and is due to open to the public in two weeks’ time.
The new Groendal Library will replace the Groendal children’s container library. The smaller library was housed in a converted container and specifically provided books and toys for children. It was started in 2007 and funded by the Franschhoek Literary Festival Library Fund. The container will be moved with all of its resources to Wemmershoek.
The new Groendal library (below) replaces the children’s container library (above: the green container next to the Groendal Community Town Hall) . The need for a new library was realised when more and more adults from the community asked for books at the container library. The new library now serves all age groups and has a section for the visually impaired. Photos: Google Maps/Christi Nortier.
While the container library did provide ECD resources, the space in the library was often too small to accommodate all the children.
“We would take the ECD things from the container library to the school where the children could play and experience things. We couldn’t take them to the container because the space is too small. There are 35 children in the crèche,” says Anthia Booysen, a teacher from the local Little Shepherd Crèche which focuses on ECD care and teaching.
She says she is impressed with the new facilities. The crèche has its own ECD toys, but she is excited that there is more for her class to explore.
“I would like to take a day once a week to bring the kids here and let them see what is going on here. They can explore it themselves here in the library. They will really, really love this place,” she says.
Anthia Booysen, a teacher at Little Sheperds Crèche in Groendal, sits in the children’s ECD play and learning area. She has been looking forward to the opening of the library since construction began a year ago. Photo: Christi Nortier.
“Education starts with ECD and not when children go to school. The play area is important. Children learn through play. Everything a child does educates them. Children learn through fun also. They need to have these things in place,” says Wilhelmina Petersen, the Ward 2 councillor and the speaker for the Stellenbosch Municipality Council.
“The ECD centre is so important now because that is where you need to catch children. The library can offer them resources they might not be able to afford,” says Sarala Majudith, the Library Services Manager for the Stellenbosch Municipality.
An infographic giving the details of the ward the new Groendal Library is in. Made by Christi Nortier
The longest standing member of the Franschhoek Library, Elisabeth Gabriels, was a guest of honour at the opening. She is a Groendal resident and has been a member for 60 years. She says that her love for reading began in her teenage years and now she cannot go a day without reading.
“It is very good for our young people that there is a library [in Groendal]. It will expose them to new experiences. You read things in books that you didn’t know about before,” she says of the new library.
Sarala Majudith, the Library Services Manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, stands with Elisabeth Gabriels who is the longest standing member of the Franschhoek Library. Mrs Gabriels says her community must be proud now that they have their own library and must care for it. Photo: Christi Nortier.
The Groendal Library offers a bigger space which caters for adults, teenagers, youth, the visually impaired and toddlers who need Early Childhood Development facilities. It boasts a computer room, a work space and a community hall. A gaming room is in the process of being set up. In addition, it is a “green library” which has its own rainwater tanks and solar panels. This will provide all of its water and electricity.