Library Celebrates 50 Years of More Than Just Reading

As they celebrate serving the community of Elsies River for 50 years, Elsies River Public Library is clearly not just a place where people can lend books and go for some quiet reading.

It has over the years developed into a vibrant hub of information and community activity. Today it stands as a beacon of hope for a community that sometimes falls into the grips of despair.

Established in 1963 at a time when a large percentage of the town’s newer population were trying to settle in after being forcibly removed from Goodwood, the new library was intended as a means for the state to prevent Coloured people from using the Goodwood Library.

Initially boycotted by a few, the library soon became not only a place of reading but also a place where the struggle against Apartheid was debated and where activists would meet and exchange information.

Of course this was done very quietly as the library was a place where silence prevailed and although you can still find peace and quiet, there is a whole lot of activity arranged by the library which is anything but hushed.

Attended by about 200 guests including dignitaries, Julian Schroeder, the Senior Librarian / Library Manager did the official welcoming and introduced the Masters of Ceremony.

Nadine Lottering and Nashville Solomons, both members of the Friends of Elsies River Library NPO, had a refreshing way of making their announcements which were always peppered with lines from their own original poetry.

The Celebration was opened with prayers by respected Muslim and Christian clergy from the community, Moulana Cassiem and Bishop Skippers, and this was followed by a dance item by the library’s very own dance group.

A reflection of the past presented by former Elsies River librarian Fadeela Davids added a tinge of nostalgia for those old enough to remember but also brought a message of hope for the future.

In his speech about the role that reading and being a library member played in his life, former school teacher, well known radio and television personality and now Marketing and Communications Director of AgriMega, Jerome Topley who was born and raised in Elsies River, immediately endeared himself to the audience when after observing protocol and formally greeting everyone, he said: “…and to those who know me, Aweh my Masekinnes”

He continued by telling tales of the hardships of growing up in Elsies River and how his quest for knowledge was triggered while being held in detention by state security police when an officer, after slapping him advised him to read and learn if he wanted to beat the system. The library soon started playing an integral role in shaping his future.

There was much mirth when he intimated that the library was also the only place where it was not frowned upon for a guy to whisper in a girl’s ear. Whispering was “the rule” and a very convenient one at that.

Jerome then made an impassioned plea for mother-tongue education and cited that those from Elsies River who made a name for themselves nationally and indeed all over the world, like most people from Elsies, seldom had a definitive accent and a part of this was due to a bilingualism based on mother tongue education, which for most people in Elsies River is Afrikaans.

Jerome lamented the state of the youth and the lack of direction so many of them have.

He then expressed his desire to become involved with projects where he and other influential South Africans who were born in Elsies River, from business professionals, politicians, artists and those from many other fields including medicine and law, should actively engage the youth.

Some more entertainment was to follow and it was quite inspiring when someone walked onto the stage and said that, after raising her family and her kids now all being adults, with the support of her husband, she has decided to live out her passion of being an accomplished musician.

It was clear that most of the audience being residents of Elsies River, including me, did not know of this immense talent we had in our midst. We were mesmerised by the angelic, yet very jazzy voice of Amanda Lemmert, who also uses her music and poetic delivery as a means of educating people about our heritage as a people with indigenous roots.

We were also in for quite a surprise when her performance was followed by one from Ian Gordon, senior librarian at Leonsdale Library, one of the other two smaller libraries in Elsies, who sang and played the clarinet performing a jazzy number which evoked scenes from the 1920’s Great Gatsby. If only you had heard him, I’m sure that the next time you saw your local librarian, you would wonder what amazing talents they harbour.

After an address by the District Libraries Manager, Ms Chery Heymann, who praised Elsies Library’s ability to deliver a service equal or superior to other libraries in more affluent areas, we were once again entertained by the library’s dance group.

The keynote speaker, Alderman Antonio Van der Rheede who is charirperson of the Community Services portfolio Committee, was quite brief in his speech but not for a lack of substance.

Being from Hanover Park, an area that has a similar level of gansterism, crime and drug abuse as Elsies River, he hailed the current and former staff of Elsies Library for their sterling efforts in serving the community and having an impact on young lives through all the hardships the community faces and sometimes in quite trying circumstances.

He continued by sharing his view on how librarians play an important role in education and that most times when learners come to a library for assistance with school assignments, the librarian often drops everything to not only point a child in the direction of the resources but many times has to make sure that the child actually understands what information is really required.

Alderman Van der Rheede also had high praise for the Elsies River Ward Councillor Chris Jordaan who is quite involved in supporting the endeavours of the library and is known to be passionate about arts and culture.

It was then the turn of Councillor Jordaan to present Certificates of Appreciation to persons who currently and over the years have played a pivotal role in developing the library into the outstanding community haven it has become.

He briefly touched on various issues raised by previous speakers and invited the guests to mingle and network amongst each other while the musical entertainment continued and a light meal was served.

Bruinou.com has since forever been pushing the idea of professionals and others who have made a mark in their various fields coming into their hometowns and creating interactive platforms to engage the youth.

Having on previous occasions briefly discussed similar ideas with Senior Librarian Julian Schroeder as well as with Councillor Jordaan around this view, I immediately seized the opportunity to speak to them again and also involved others in an impromptu discussion which turned out quite promising.

A formal meeting will soon be set up with the likes of Jerome Topley and others where the aim is to create a monthly event where the successful current and former residents of Elsies River will interactively engage the youth and a stage will be set where the youth can meaningfully engage the many possible role models that come from the very same community and similar circumstances they may find themselves in.

Bruinou.com will most certainly keep you updated on how it all develops.

We congratulate the management and staff of the library, The Friends of Elsies River Library Organisation and the community in celebrating this milestone and bruinou.com wishes them well for the many years of excellent service ahead of them.