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Tag: Fish Hoek 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

  • Captivating a Generation: How Fish Hoek Library Brought Stories to Life for WRAD 2026

    Fish Hoek Library’s World Read Aloud Day was a joyful success! Embracing the “Celebrating Learning” theme, we officially met our reading pledge thanks to the incredible support of local schools, homeschoolers and our enthusiastic PRAM Jammers. From toddlers to nine-year-olds, listeners were captivated by classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and interactive hits like Do Not Open This Book. Whether tending to the “inner child” of our caregivers or sharing a laugh with Grade 1s over some classic jokes, the day proved that reading aloud remains at the heart of our community.

    Our librarians truly stole the show! We received wonderful feedback from parents and teachers alike praising their “awesome” storytelling and professionalism. It was a joy to witness learners responding with curiosity, laughter and excitement to every story shared. We were also grateful to have Sue Stewart, who volunteered her time to read stories, join us on the day. Stories were read by Agnes Knowles, Ashleigh Wessels, Jill Festus, Tantaswa Jezile and Zaakiya Williams, each bringing their own warmth and personality to the storytelling experience.

    For Fish Hoek Library, celebrating World Read Aloud Day 2026 was a testament to the transformative power of literacy, which our staff have always viewed as a source of “magic” and lifelong confidence. By sharing the Nal’ibali story A New Friend on social media, the library highlighted essential themes of inclusivity and teamwork – values that were mirrored by the staff’s own collaborative efforts to host a successful event while maintaining seamless service. This celebration was ultimately made possible by the dedicated passion of the library team and a community that continues to prioritize the joy of reading.

    Agnes Knowles, Librarian and Ashleigh Wessels, Librarian PL(SA)

    Fish Hoek Library

  • Reading Meets Digital Skills at Fish Hoek Library’s Tweens Book Club

    Fish Hoek Library recently initiated it’s ‘Tweens Book Club’ for children aged 8 to 12 with a total of 9 participants attending the first session held at the library.

    The club will run weekly until January 2026, introducing different genres and receiving feedback from the young readers.

    The kids are passionate about reading and while some are more advanced than others, the club has a set of rules that accommodates everyone. The library’s space goes beyond meeting SDBIP-targets, it fosters a positive, enriching environment for literacy.

    A highlight was 8-year-old participant, Emma, who has Dyslexia. Her mother expressed gratitude for the club which sparked Emma’s love for reading. Emma now reads every week, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Her dog, Noodle, occasionally joins in.

    The library looks forward to more programs that nurture a love of reading in our young people. Quote by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”

    Facilitators staff: Assistant Librarian Zaakiya Williams and Librarian Agnes Knowles

    DIGITAL LITERACY SESSION

    A Digital Literacy session was held at Fish Hoek Library, covering topics such as computer components, online safety, digital identity, e-services, careers and basic MS word and typing skills.

    For some participants, it was their first time using a computer. The group also expressed great interest in the library’s digital literacy programs including learning about the Libby app and the OPAC.

    The session concluded with Certificates of Completion and participants were excited to have been part of this valuable programme.

    The event highlighted the library’s core role as being “the heart of the community.”

    Facilitators staff: Assistant Librarians Jill Festus (Left), Zaakiya Williams (Right)



    Natasha Segers
    Principal Librarian
    Fish Hoek Library