Librarians have taken to the streets to celebrate reading. This was done in the form of a road march, which was recently held in the streets of central Cape Town. The event has been described as a vibrant celebration of reading. By attending, City librarians signalled their commitment to literacy. It also kicked off the annual South African Library Week (SALW), taking place from 15 to 22 March 2026.

“In 2014, Central Library launched an annual road march through the streets of Cape Town. At the time, they marched as a solo team, but the spirit of the event was too infectious to stay small.”

Librarians have taken to the streets to celebrate reading

According to the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, the road march through the streets of the Mother City has become a fixture on the City libraries calendar and marks the official start of South African Library Week. She says South African Library Week purposefully includes Human Rights Day on 21 March.

“By 2017, the Library & Information Services Department officially joined the movement, transforming the march into a full-scale departmental event.”

This is not only to highlight the role of libraries in a democracy, but also to champion the constitutional right to freedom of access to information. Higham says libraries are community spaces that promote social cohesion and provide safe havens. It is also an opportunity for all the citizens of the City, especially young people.

South African Library Week kicks off with a road march

She has reminded library lovers that it’s also Fine-Free Week. This means that patrons can return any overdue items to the library and not pay any fine. Additionally, if you have lost your library card, this week provides the perfect opportunity to receive a replacement card free of charge. She has encouraged people to visit libraries in the northern and southern suburbs. A diverse range of programmes designed to inspire and connect will be hosted at libraries to become a part of.

More information about the road march by Librarians

This year was the ninth march to be held. The theme for this year is Reclaiming Knowledge and Empowering Futures. It also focuses on digital inclusion, preserving indigenous knowledge, and fostering community innovation. Higham says City Librarians from across the Mother City joined the public demonstration of their facilities’ relevance and promoted their services.

“What began as a single library’s passion project has blossomed into a city-wide celebration.”

What is on offer at libraries:

-> Digital access: showcasing their diverse range of digital resources and modern applications, such as PressReader and Libby.
-> Access to information: libraries provide books, free internet access and learning resources for residents.
-> Social cohesion: building on the momentum of recent city-wide activations to spark curiosity and shared experiences.

“The week was initiated by the Library and Information Association of South Africa to promote literacy and library services.”