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Tag: Children’s Services

  • Bridgetown Library’s June School Holiday Magic

    The BINGO Waste Management team turning environmental responsibility into a playful challenge

    Bridgetown Library turned the June/July school holidays into a kaleidoscope of learning, laughter and lively adventures. Children were treated to a programme that blended fun with meaningful lessons and the results were nothing short of delightful.

    The PDSA visit had tails wagging and hearts melting, as little ones learnt about responsible pet ownership and the importance of reporting animal abuse. The highlight? Meeting the friendly dogs who stole the show with their wagging enthusiasm. On Popcorn Day, the library transformed into a mini cinema, complete with crunchy popcorn and wide-eyed movie magic.

    The SAPS session brought important conversations to the fore, guiding children through the challenges of peer pressure, drugs and gangsterism. Through interactive discussions, the young audience walked away empowered to make positive choices.

    Traffic Services rolled in with an engaging road safety programme, teaching children the five golden rules before crossing the road. Educational gifts at the end added sparkle to the lesson. Creativity flowed during colouring and crossword puzzle activities, while the False Bay Nature Reserve session brought Cape Town’s wildlife to life. Children marvelled at shells and horns, connecting with the natural world in a hands-on way.

    Games Day was a whirlwind of 30 seconds, chess, dominoes and musical chairs – proving that friendly competition and laughter are the perfect holiday companions. Finally, the BINGO Waste Management team turned environmental responsibility into a playful challenge, teaching the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and in a way that was both fun and impactful.

    From popcorn to paw prints, Bridgetown Library’s June/July school holiday programme reminded us that learning can be joyful, community-driven and sprinkled with just the right amount of whimsy.

    By Robin Nicole Smith

    Children’s Librarian

    Bridgetown Library

  • BRICK Club launches at Fish Hoek Library: Building our community, one brick at a time

    On World Play Day, 28 May 2026, Fish Hoek Library launched something that already feels a little magical. Together with our Fish Hoek Library Homeschoolers group, we opened the doors to BRICK Club and had the world of fun.

    A very special part of the day was welcoming Lorinda Le Roux from the Durbanville Library Homeschoolers group, who came all the way through to support us in launching the club. It truly made the circle shine bigger. It reminded us that library work is never done alone. There is something incredibly powerful about showing up for one another, sharing ideas and creating spaces together. Thank you, Lorinda, for travelling all the way from Durbanville to Fish Hoek just to share the magic.

    The partnership with BRICK Club SA has brought a vibrant space to our community, where children can imagine, build, problem-solve, connect and simply play. Every second week, our young builders meet to indulge in creative magic through carefully selected themes that link to what they are currently experiencing and learning through seasons, storytelling, culture and discovery. Sessions align with the CAPS curriculum through beginning knowledge, problem solving, history, cultural exploration and also make space for those beautiful ad hoc moments of free play where children lead their own learning.

    What makes this especially meaningful in a public library space is that libraries have always been about access. Today that means more than books. It means creating opportunities. It means seeing the gap and becoming the bridge. Brick play develops creativity, communication, spatial awareness, resilience and confidence. Children learn to test ideas, work through challenges and tell stories through building. Parents gain opportunities to connect with their children and with one another. Libraries become places where relationships are built alongside models and imagination becomes something shared.

    One of the most exciting parts of this project is seeing community lead community. Libraries do not always need to have all the answers, sometimes our role is to open the door, bring people together and trust that incredible things will happen. We are excited to share that BRICK Club sessions will open to the public once a month, with the first public session scheduled for Saturday, 27 June in honour of Youth Month. The community club will continue on the last Saturday of every month.

    By: Ashleigh Wessels

    Children’s Librarian

    Fish Hoek Library

  • A Buzzing Good Time: Tokai Library Celebrates Bee Day at Zwaanswyk Academy!

    Learners from the Zwaanswyk Academy in Tokai share a fun moment with LiBee at Bee Day

    On 20 May 2026, the Tokai Library team had the pleasure of visiting Zwaanswyk Academy for their Foundation Phase Bee Day celebration! It was a day dedicated to teaching young learners about the vital role bees play in nature and the importance of looking after our environment. The undisputed star of the day was none other than our very own beloved mascot, LiBee! Bringing an incredible burst of energy to the school grounds, LiBee wandered around greeting enthusiastic learners and posing for dozens of memorable photographs.

    Learners rise to their feet as LiBee enters the hall for story time at Zwaanswyk Academy

    The fun didn’t stop there! The Tokai team hosted a special, interactive story time session featuring the perfect book for the occasion: LiBee Joins the Library. The story tied into the day’s bee theme while sneaking in a heartfelt message about the joy of reading and visiting the library. The learners were captivated, participating enthusiastically and hanging onto every word. By blending literacy with environmental awareness, staff were able to create a truly meaningful experience for the children.

    This visit was a heartwarming reminder of how powerful community partnerships can be. The Tokai team would like to extend a massive thank you to Zwaanswyk Academy for inviting us and letting LiBee be part of such a special and memorable day. We can’t wait for our next community adventure!

    By: Sihle Nkosi

    Librarian

    Tokai Library

  • From Tiny Tots to Avid Readers: Scottsdene Library’s Lifeline of Learning

    Children engaging in activities during a Scottsdene Library programme

    In a community facing high unemployment, Scottsdene Public Library is serving as a vital lifeline. To support families who cannot afford early childhood development centres, the library runs a weekly “Library School” from February to December for children aged one to five. With themes tied to the environmental calendar, each hour-long session blends sing-alongs, rhymes, storytelling sessions and arts & crafts.

    Parents and children participate together, focusing on essential hand-eye coordination to ensure the little ones are school-ready. At the end of the year, the children proudly wear graduation caps and receive certificates. They also participate in the 1000 Stories Before School campaign, ensuring they are well-prepared for Grade 1.

    Proud Library School graduates at their graduation ceremony at Scottsdene Library

    For the older children, the library is launching an After-School Reading Programme. Recognizing that many learners struggle with comprehension, the staff are stepping in to help with homework, assignments, and even Harvard referencing. Through themed reading lists, crossword puzzles, coding and interactive games, the team makes reading fun and keeps kids coming back.

    Ultimately, the Scottsdene team is on a mission to build vocabulary, stimulate imaginations, and nurture problem-solving skills. By fostering a joyful connection with books early on, they are ensuring the library remains a safe and engaging sanctuary where a love for reading thrives well into children’s adulthood.

    By: René Williams-Masiza

    Senior Librarian

    Scottsdene Library

  • Reclaiming Knowledge, Empowering Futures: Claremont Library Team Inspires Hundreds at Rosmead Primary

    Childline addresses the learners during a collaborative event with Claremont Library

    For South African Library Week (SALW) 2026, Claremont Library’s passionate Children’s Team, Margaux, Bongeka, Shannon and Gadija, brought their love for literacy straight to Rosmead Primary School in Kenilworth, Cape Town. Gathered in the school hall, 408 Grade 4 to 6 learners and their teachers welcomed the team at 11h00. The Claremont staff brought their A-game, sharing the excitement of Library Week and Fine-Free Week. Margaux and Bongeka highlighted the library’s fantastic “free basket of services,” showing the students that local libraries are accessible hubs for holiday clubs, chess, coding and homework support.

    The day’s impact grew even stronger when Shannon introduced a wonderful new partner, Childline. Bringing a warm, high-energy vibe, Childline engaged the learners with a memory-game icebreaker while teaching them about the 12 Basic Human Rights of Children. The students safely discussed how to report bullying and left the session equipped with vital emergency contact numbers. By the time the day concluded, the team had perfectly brought this year’s theme to life: “Reclaiming Knowledge, Empowering Futures.” Through collaboration and heart, they truly inspired the next generation of community champions!

    By: Margaux Bergman

    Assistant Librarian

    Claremont Library