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Special World Book Day activities are scheduled to take place across the City’s libraries to stimulate reading and library usage in support of the 2040 Growth and Development Strategy of the City, and in particular the output: Increased literacy, skills and lifelong learning amongst all citizens.
World Book Day is a national day celebrated every year on April 23 by librarians across South Africa.
As the name suggests, the focus of the day is to celebrate books and publishing, raise awareness about the importance of books and reading (especially among underprivileged and disadvantaged communities), to promote South African writers and the appreciation of indigenous literature, and the pleasure of reading.
According to the 2016 SA Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) report (released in April 2018), eight out of ten South African Grade 4 learners do not understand what they read in any language. South Africa was the lowest performing country out of fifty countries that were assessed. These shocking results drive and motivate City of Johannesburg librarians to make libraries welcoming spaces for children to foster a love for reading for pleasure to stimulate comprehension of what is read.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Joburg, Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba said: “In line with international practices, the City libraries should be used as tools to empower the communities, and to help the City in providing development that seeks meaningful redress through reading and literacy programmes carried out in the libraries. Being the primary cultural and scientific institutions for providing information, libraries play a crucial role to build bridges to books and information.”
“I urge educators and parents to encourage leaners to participate in these programmes as a way of enriching their education,” said MMC Sifumba.
The activities are as follows:
| Date | Activity | Venue |
24 Apr | Costume dress-up of favorite literary characters by learners from Florida Primary School | Florida Library, Region C Ward 70 |
24 Apr | Crossword puzzle competition on library usage and materials. Target group: Secondary School learners | Eldorado Park Ext 2 Library, Region G Ward 18 |
25 Apr | To promote books and reading Grade R learners from a day care centre will be invited to the library for a storytelling session | Strubensvalley Library, Region C Ward 85 |
25 Apr | Story time and how to take care of books. Target group: 2-5 years | Wilropark Library, Region C Ward 83 |
25 Apr | Poetry readings/performances themed Freedom Day | Witpoortjie Library, Region C Ward 83 |
25 Apr | Chain-story-writing. Children of the same age will be grouped to write a story. A child writes a sentence and passes it on to the next child who reads what was written and adds another sentence, and so on. The end result is a combined story. Children aged 8-16 yrs will be targeted. | Lenasia Ext 3 Library, Region G Ward 9 |
25 Apr | Quiz on libraries. Small groups will brainstorm the quiz and share with each other. Target group: 10-15 years | Orange Farm Library, Region G Ward 3 |
| 25 | Discussion between 12-13 year olds on the children's version of Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela | Poortjie Library, Region G Ward 5 |
25 Apr | Read and write programme for 7-12 year olds. Children will read a paragraph from a story book and write in their own words what they have read | Vlakfontein Library, Region G Ward 122 |
25 Apr | Learners from Finetown Secondary (Region G Ward 7) will visit the library for a workshop that will encourage Information Science as a career choice | Ennerdale Ext 9 Library, Region G Ward 121 |
26 Apr | Spelling Bee competition with learners from Royal College | Florida Library, Region C Ward 70 |
26 Apr | 3-6 year olds from Norscot Manor Early Childhood Centre (Region E Ward 115) are invited to a story hour, a creative activity and to learn how to take care of books | Norscot Manor Library, Region E Ward 115 |
26 Apr | 4-5 year olds from Georgie Portjie Day Care Centre (Region G Ward 18) are invited to take part in word- building activities and a visit from Mr. Big Book to learn about the importance of reading | Eldorado Park Ext 5 Library, Region G Ward 18 |
26 Apr | Ennerdale Ext 1 staff members will visit Mid-Ennerdale Primary (Region G Ward 7) to promote libraries, books and reading. Target group: 6-13 yrs | Mid-Ennerdale Primary School, Region G Ward 7 |
26 Apr | Word search puzzles for 8-12 year olds | Lenasia South Library, Region G Ward 120 |
26 Apr | Members of the Johannesburg City Library Book Club will read to each other from their favorite books that had an impact on their lives. Target group: Adults | Johannesburg City Library, Ward 124 |
