Submit your article
Give a ThumbsUp
Archive

Author: Mogamat Armien Fredericks

  • Athlone Library at the Western Cape Cultural Affairs Awards 2025

    Athlone Library is proud to announce that we were awarded 2nd place for “Public Library of the Year” at the Western Cape Cultural Affairs Awards 2025. This prestigious event celebrates excellence in arts, culture, and heritage across the province, recognising individuals and organisations that make a meaningful impact in their communities.

    Athlone Public Library recognized as a finalist for Public Library of the Year in the 2025 Cultural Awards by the Western Cape Government.

    Receiving this award is a significant milestone for Athlone Library. It reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our library team, who continuously strive to deliver quality services and create a welcoming space for all community members.

    This recognition would not have been possible without the collective effort of the AthloneLibrary staff. Their passion for promoting literacy, fostering community engagement, and enhancing access to information continues to set our library apart.

    We extend heartfelt gratitude to our patrons and community. Their ongoing support, participation, and engagement are at the heart of everything we do. This award is not just for the library team — it belongs to the entire Athlone community.

    The awards ceremony was beautifully hosted, with live performances that added a vibrantand festive atmosphere to the evening. Attendees enjoyed an inspiring programme, surrounded by representatives from libraries, cultural institutions, and creative communities across the Western Cape.

    This achievement motivates us to continue striving for excellence and to keep expanding the role of Athlone Library as a hub of knowledge, culture, and community connection.

    Athlone Public Library recognized as a finalist for Public Library of the Year in the 2025 Cultural Awards by the Western Cape Government.

    Celebrating teamwork and achievement at Athlone Library! The staff proudly showcase their latest recognition, reflecting dedication and commitment to serving the community.

    Celebrating teamwork and achievement at Athlone Library! The staff proudly showcase their latest recognition, reflecting dedication and commitment to serving the community.

    Mogamat Armien Fredericks

    Librarian
    Athlone Library

  • City’s Basket of Services Event at Vangate Mall

    City’s Basket of Services Event at Vangate Mall The City’s Basket of Services hosted a one-day event at Vangate Mall on 15 July 2025, bringing together various local government departments to offer essential services directly to the community. The event aimed to make local government more accessible, providing residents the chance to interact with staff, ask questions, and receive guidance on a variety of services. Athlone Library’s Participation: Athlone Library was an active participant, promoting its diverse range of resources and services.

    At the library’s table, staff shared information about becoming a member and highlighted the many benefits of membership, including access to e-resources such as: • PressReader (for newspapers and magazines) • Libby (for borrowing eBooks and audiobooks) • Smartcape (for online educational programs and learning resources) Although no computers or Wi-Fi were available at the event itself, library staff encouraged visitors to take advantage of these resources at Athlone Library or their nearest branch.

    Athlone and Valhalla Park library staff pose with Libee

    Additionally, the table featured promotions for the library’s Holiday Programmes and storytelling sessions to engage children and families. Valhalla Park Library Joins Us: We were thrilled to have Valhalla Park Library join us at our table, assisting in promoting library services and connecting with the community.

    Their involvement helped expand the reach of our efforts and encouraged more people to explore the benefits of library membership. Interactive Fun: An exciting addition to our table was a TV and PlayStation setup, offering a fun and interactive experience for visitors, especially younger attendees. It was a hit, with many excited to play games while learning more about the library’s services.

    Meet Libee the Mascot: The beloved Libee mascot also made an appearance, posing for photos with visitors and spreading joy throughout the event. Libee quickly became a crowd favourite, especially among children, adding a lively and memorable touch to the day. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis Hands Out Title Deeds to First-Time Homeowners: A significant highlight of the event was when Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis personally handed out title deeds to Athlone and Heideveld tenants, marking a milestone for these residents as they became first-time homeowners.

    Libee and Bingo dazzle mall-goers

    The mayor’s gesture symbolised the city’s commitment to supporting homeownership and providing long-term stability to local communities. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thanks to Valhalla Park Library for assisting in promoting our library services.


    Mogamat Armien Fredericks
    Librarian
    Athlone Library

  • Athlone library does Opera

    On 01 July 2025, Athlone library hosted an enchanting operatic performance for young children titled “Opera Blocks Forest Friends.” This captivating show brought together children ages 1-4 and their caregivers for a day filled with music, storytelling, and interactive fun. The first performance, held at 11:00 AM, was exclusively for Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the area. The children were introduced to operatic storytelling through simple, engaging tales performed in a fun and musical format. The children actively participated, joining in the sing-alongs, and enjoying the lively performances.

    The use of music and movement kept the young audience captivated and helped foster a love for the arts from a very young age. The second show, at 1:00 PM, was open to the public. In this performance, mothers and children were required to book tickets via the web, ensuring a well-organised and safe event. The performance for this session included a series of interactive activities, sing-alongs, and operatic storytelling that engaged both children and parents.

    Actors dressed in animal costumes, filled with song and story, creating a joyful atmosphere.

    The entire experience was designed to foster a sense of community and encourage family participation in the arts. The “Opera Blocks Forest Friends” show proved to be a huge success, offering a delightful and memorable experience for all who attended. It provided a unique opportunity for young children to experience the beauty of opera while developing a love for music, storytelling, and creative expression.

    Mogamat Armien Fredericks
    Librarian
    Athlone Library

  • Celebrating South African Library Week: Focus on Health, Education & Community

    South African Library Week kicked off with a display by library staff, highlighting this year’s theme, “Libraries for Sustainable Communities.” The week began with a library march on Friday, followed by a series of community-focused events.

    Staff participating in the library march

    In partnership with the Department of Health, the library hosted a health and hygiene programme for learners from the Early Learning Centre, emphasising the importance of handwashing. The Department of Environment also joined forces with the library to educate students from Mary Harding School about biodiversity and environmental conservation.


    Storytelling sessions were a key feature, engaging young learners and fostering creativity. The library also reached out to Sunnyside Primary School, promoting library membership and educating students on how to care for books. The library’s fine-free policy was highlighted, encouraging more children to join without fear of penalties.

    Storytelling session with the children

    South African Library Week concluded with a final storytelling session, celebrating the library’s role in community engagement, education, and sustainability. This week highlighted the vital role libraries play in fostering healthy, educated, and sustainable communities.

    Mogamat Armien Fredericks
    Librarian: Athlone Library
    City of Cape Town, LIS

  • Athlone Library Digital Literacy Workshop Sparks Enthusiasm

    Young People @ Work (YPW) recently hosted a successful Digital Literacy Workshop at Athlone Library, aimed at equipping the local community with essential digital skills. The two-day programme covered basic computer use, internet navigation, and practical ways to leverage technology for daily tasks and job readiness.


    “We’re excited to collaborate with Athlone Library,” said a YPW spokesperson. “With our training centre at Grassroots Educare and the library’s strong community reach, we have a great opportunity to raise awareness of our programs and support job seekers in the area.”

    This workshop is part of a broader effort to reduce unemployment by providing accessible, hands-on digital training for those who may lack essential skills. It also highlights the value of the library’s SmartCape computers and e-resources, ensuring more community members can benefit from free access to technology.


    A digital literacy class in session at the library, where participants of all ages are engaged in learning essential computer skills with the guidance of facilitators.
    Learners proudly receive their certificates after completing a digital literacy course at the library, celebrating their achievement in enhancing computer skills.

    This marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between YPW and Athlone Library, focused on creating more opportunities for personal and professional growth. We look forward to future collaborations that will continue to empower local job seekers and enhance digital literacy in the community.

    Mogamat Armien Fredericks
    Librarian: Athlone Library
    City of Cape Town, LIS