Non-Local Library Visits

All Library Visits outside of Cape Town require preregistration and are based on a minimum number of 5 attendees. Should the minimum number of attendees not be reached, the Congress Secretariat reserves the right to cancel the tour.

Notification of cancellation must be made in writing and sent to the Congress Secretariat Registration Department by email or fax.

Tours will depart at 08:30 sharp by bus from the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

TOUR 8: Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service Tour - Half Day

Location: Stellenbosch Price: 10.00 Euro

Main Library (JS Gericke Library)
Located in South Africa's oldest town after Cape Town, Stellenbosch University is home to an academic community of some 28,000 students. The historical oak-lined university town in the winelands of the Western Cape boasts a unique campus atmosphere. The University is also among South Africa's leading tertiary institutions and is recognised internationally as an academic institution of excellence. One of the new spaces in the JS Gericke Library, the Learning Commons, is acclaimed as one of the most popular destinations on campus. Similarly, the Library’s Research Commons, is mooted as one of the best research commons facilities on the continent and comparable to some of the best in the world.

Engineering and Forestry Library
Another of the new library spaces, the Engineering and Forestry Library is exemplary for an ultramodern facility with architectural design elements that purposefully reflect the building’s use by both prospective engineers and foresters.

The bus will depart from the bus lane in Walter Sisulu Avenue just outside the CTICC 08:30 sharp.  Please look out for the tour guide and the TOUR 8 banner. 

The route:

08:30 – 09:30   Travelling to J.S. Gericke Library, Stellenbosch    (+- 53km.)
09:30 – 11:00   Tour of J.S. Gericke Library, Stellenbosch
11:00 – 11:30   Light refreshments
11:30 – 12:30   Engineering & Forestry Library
12:30 – 13:30   Return to CTICC

The programme will include a presentation and a tour of the library. Light refreshments will be available

TOUR 9: Franschhoek Tour - Full Day

Location: Franschhoek Price: 15.00 Euro

Franschhoek Library
Franschhoek is a small town in the Western Cape Province and one of the oldest towns of the Republic of South Africa. It is about 75 kilometres from Cape Town and has a population of slightly over 15,000 people. Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine. Franschhoek Public Library is celebrating 120 years of service to the Franschhoek Community. When the library was established in 1892, the stock consisted of 1020 books. The librarian managed to find information on the history of the library through newspaper articles, municipal and library committee minutes as well as having interviews with members of the community.

The library staff enjoys their story telling sessions, visiting the Old Age Home and reading to the elderly. Other programs offered includes library orientation, holiday programs, donations, exhibitions amongst many others services.

Groendal Library
Franschhoek Library had been trying for years to establish a library in the Groendal Community of Franschhoek. The Franschhoek Literacy Festival got involved and started raising money for a library. This resulted in Exclusive Books (a local Bookseller) donating a fully equipped container with books to the Groendal Community in 2006 to deliver a children’s library service.

Klapmuts Library
The Community Centre was launched on 20 April 2010 to enhance reading skills and present story hours and holiday programmes. The project was launched by the Stellenbosch Municipality in partnership with the Western Cape Library Service. The library programs include services such as Reading Activities, assisting school children with their homework and assisting the public with library needs. The librarians offer Holiday programs to scholars.

The bus will depart from the bus lane in Walter Sisulu Avenue just outside the CTICC 08:30 sharp.  Please look out for the tour guide and the TOUR 9 banner. 

The route:

08:30 – 09:30   Travelling from CTICC to Klapmuts Library, Klapmuts   (+- 47km.)
09:30 – 10:30   Tour of Klapmuts Library (including light refreshments)
10:30 – 10:50   Travel to Groendal Library (+-26km) 
10:50 – 11:30   Tour through Groendal Library and area (drinks-on-the-go)
11:30 – 11:40   Travel to Franschhoek Library
11:40 – 13:00   Tour and activities at Franschhoek Library (including light refreshments)
13:00 – 14:30   Walk through Franschhoek Main Street (curious shops, art & craft products, antiques)
14:30 – 15:30   Return to CTICC

The programme will include a presentation and a tour of the libraries.  Light refreshments will be available

TOUR 10: Paarl Library Tour - Full Day

Location: Paarl Price: 10.00 Euro

Paarl Library
Only 56km from Cape Town, Paarl offers historical charm, culture, architectural heritage, wine and fruit farms, breathtaking scenery and many cycling and nature trails. Paarl library started as a reading society in 1849 till 1855. The reading society disbanded in 1855 and restarted in 1857. In 1863 the society ceased to exist because of lack of funding. The library doors opened on 24 March 1925 as a subscription library and in 1955 new regulations were passed on library services. On 9 March 1967 the municipality opened a free library service under the provincial library services. Their library programs offer the community Multi-Media rooms where the librarians assist children with internet access. They have a Library Week program for children. The librarians are active with their Reading activities and Holiday programs. Their weekly schedule include visiting the Old Age Home and reading to the elderly. Students can now enjoy some quiet time for studying in the study carrels made available to all learners and students.

Windmeul Library
The container library was placed at Windmeul Primary School during January 2012. The library opened to the public on 16 October 2012. It is based at Vrygunspad, Windmeul. They have librarians offering children’s reading activities. The weekly schedule includes Book Education where librarians do random classroom visits. They offer library orientation and Holiday programs for children. The librarians present fun filled activities for Library Week and offer learner support to scholars.

The route:

08:30 – 09:30   Travelling from CTICC to Windmeul Library (+- 62km)
09:30 – 10:15   Tour of Windmeul Library (including light refreshments)
10:15 – 10:30   Travel to Paarl Library (+-10km)
10:30 – 11:25   Tour through Paarl Library
11:25 – 11:45   Travel to Taal Monument (4.5 km)
11:45 – 13:00   Taal Monument visit (including light refreshments)
13:00 – 13:20   Travel to Drakenstein (Victor Verster) (7.5 km)
13:30 – 15:00   Visit at Madiba’s House
            15:00   Return to CTICC

The programme will include a presentation and a tour of the libraries.  Light refreshments will be available

Last update: 25 June 2015