Simon's Town Public Library is one of the smallest facilities of its kind in the Southern part of the Cape Peninsula yet it is among the busiest. The Library serves Simon's Town, including the Naval Village of da Gama Park, Scarborough, Glencairn, and the Redhill Informal Settlement.

The Librarian, Ms. Melanie du Raan, can be contacted telephonically at +27 21 786 1553.

Library Facilities

The Library has a large collection of fiction, non-fiction and reference books, which is added to annually using funds allocated by the Cape Town Unicity Council.
The library subscribes to local and overseas newspapers, which can be read on the premises and to a variety of local and imported magazines which may be borrowed in the same way as books.

Video Tapes, Audio Tapes and Compact Discs are available to be borrowed by members of the Library and the Friends Committee has provided funds for the purchase of a selection of Taped Books.

Library books, magazines, tapes and CDs have all been bar-coded and patrons can expect the process of issuing and receiving of library material to be speedy and efficient, even at the busiest of times.

The Library has an Internet facility, allowing students and other Library users to access information from a virtual infinity of sources and visitors to Simon's Town are invited to call in to collect "Hotmail," for which a small fee is charged.

The Library - A Resource & Study Centre

With the transformation of the South African Navy to reflect the demographics of the country, Simon's Town, the South African Navy's principal base, is also transforming and the High School and the Public Library were among the first institutions to feel, and adapt to, the effects.

The Public Library is an important resource centre for students from the High School, many of whom do not enjoy adequate study facilities at home.

Friends Of Simon's Town Public Library

The Library has a small permanent staff and a limited budget. In order to support the Library and to assist the Librarian and her staff to maintain the service expected, and indeed deserved by the community, a group of concerned citizens has formed the "Friends of Simon's Town Public Library".

The principal objectives of this organisation are :

• The promotion of closer links between the Simon's Town Public Library and the communities of Simon's Town and Glencairn (including da Gama Park and Redhill).
• The propagation of information relating to activities, resources, services and needs of The Library.
• The organisation of voluntary services where necessary to assist The Library to maintain an appropriate level of service to the Community.
• The creation of a fund to be used for the acquisition of books and audio materials for use by members of The Library and, when deemed necessary by the Committee, for the general support of The Library and the service it provides.
• The creation of a fund to be used for the acquisition of books and audio materials for use by members of The Library and, when deemed necessary by the Committee, for the general support of The Library and the service it provides.

Membership Of The "Friends"

Membership of Friends of Simon's Town Public Library is open to all Library users and, indeed, anybody who is in sympathy with the objectives of the organisation.

The annual subscription is R5,00 at present but the Committee has given notice that this will increase to R10,00 from the first of August 2001.

Fund Raising

Second hand book sales, cake and produce sales and bric-a-brac sales are the Friends' main source of income and a fund of R50 000 has been accumulated in just less than five years.

In order to maintain an adequate influx of funds, the "Friends" need a constant supply of second hand books to make their sales worthwhile and would be happy to arrange collection from donors in the Peninsula.

The Needs Of The Library

Simon's Town Public Library is a vital part of the local infrastructure and needs the support of all residents if it is to continue to provide a satisfactory service to the community.

Help can be provided in the form of donations of cash, books or any saleable items. Such help is always welcome but what is needed more than cash and goods is for people to give a little of their free time to serve on the Friends Committee, to help with sales or to assist the Librarian and her staff during busy periods at the Library. Every little helps.