Library to get much needed tlc

GEORGE NEWS - The "shocking state of disrepair and neglect" of the George Library building was brought under George Herald's attention by a resident who calls himself a patron of the library.

The good news is, funding is available for some much-needed tender loving care.

"I have nothing but praise for the library staff who go more than the proverbial mile to ensure that the library is a welcoming space; a cultural resource for the entire community. The building, however, is in a shocking state of disrepair and is in dire need of remedial maintenance," writes the patron.

"The roof leaks precipitously and staff are resorting to placing buckets on the shelves to prevent water damage to books. Gutters are blocked and sections have disappeared entirely. The slate tiles facing the Presbyterian church are, in many cases, simply missing. This paints a picture of years of deliberate neglect."

According to senior municipal communi-cations officer Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, George Municipality has received funds from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, which is responsible for library services.

"The funds are intended for the upgrade of the main library of George and are geared toward the renovation of the library," said Mangqwengqwe.

An informal tender was advertised to source a contractor for painting the library and fixing its roof.

A compulsory site meeting for this project was held on 31 May. The closing date for the submission of the bid is tomorrow, Friday 10 June. The estimated time completion of the project will be 40 working days (just under two months).

The missing roof tiles indicate "years of deliberate neglect", says a patron of the George Library. RIGHT: The complainant pointed out blocked or missing gutters that cause leaks inside the library.