The City of Cape Town is urging learners, particularly matric candidates, to make use of its free study resources at public libraries and return overdue study guides to ensure others can benefit from them during the examination period.
According to the Community Services and Health Directorate, more than 350 study guides remain outstanding, limiting their availability to other learners preparing for their examinations.
The City says public libraries offer free study spaces, educational materials and digital resources to support learners throughout the academic year. Facilities include quiet study areas, study guides and reference materials for Grades 8 to 12, past examination papers, textbooks and tutorials through the City’s matric support programme.
“More than 350 study guides are still outstanding, and I’m asking anyone who has one at home to please return it. These guides, which are available free of charge at our libraries, are just some of the resources the City provides,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham
Higham says libraries also provide access to SmartCape computers and Wi-Fi, enabling learners to conduct online research, access educational resources and meet their printing needs.
Learners and other library users are also encouraged to return borrowed materials promptly, particularly as examinations continue. The City’s most recent Fine Free Week, held from 5 to 11 September 2026, highlighted the importance of returning borrowed library materials. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series remained the most returned book during the initiative.
Top 10 books returned:
“With the matric exams at hand, it’s a resource we’d like to share and make available for the next patron to use,”
Higham encourages learners to visit their local public libraries to access available study resources and return outstanding guides so that other students can benefit from them.
The City is also expanding access to digital reading and research materials. Registered library members can access e-books and audiobooks through the OverDrive digital platform or the Libby app on smart devices.
More than 7 000 local and international newspapers and magazines are also available through the PressReader platform and app.
