The City of Cape Town’s libraries are now using technology to lock new, young patrons to its facilities. This is to encourage children and teens to read more.

The new technology, which includes tablets and gaming consoles, has been rolled out since July last year and libraries have since found innovative ways to use these to best effect and to draw patrons.

Bellville South Library was one of the few libraries that were awarded tablets in August 2022.

At Athlone Library, staff introduced video gaming in 2016 in conjunction with the reopening of the library after renovations.

The main aim is to motivate the youth to read by rewarding them with incentives.

How can you use the tech?

The games are however only available to play on Fridays, Saturdays, and school holidays. But, there is a catch. In order to get a time slot, the children need to borrow books on their cards, read them, and provide librarians with a short review of the book, written or verbal.

Serving an economically diverse community that includes large clusters of sub-economic areas, the library’s staff was excited to introduce the tablets to the children.

“The digital divide was highlighted during the pandemic when children with access to technology and online platforms could continue with their education, while those in poorer communities struggled to keep up,” said Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

Van der Ross added that City libraries are able to do their part by not only reducing this divide so everyone has equal access to technology and knowledge but also in a fun way.

When the free SmartCape was introduced, children often had to wait long periods to use the computers as it was their only access to computers and games. The newly added tablets now give more children an opportunity to interact with technology.

“It has become so popular, that parents have to come and look for their children in the afternoon because instead of going home after school they rush to be first in the queue to use the tablets at the library.”

The rollout started last year with 66 tablets to 13 libraries, and 99 tablets to 19 libraries thus far in 2023. This initiative is set to continue for the rest of the year.

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