User:Derek J Moore/sandbox/COJ libraries and information services

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Johannesburg Library and Information Services
The City of Johannesburg Public Library and Information Services (COJLIS) is the public library system of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. With 90 or 89 or 86 library branches, the COJLIS is the second largest public library system in South Africa

Diligent librarians are to be found in branch libraries across the seven regions of the city. These information professionals offer a wide range of services and programs for the residents of this large metropolitan municipality. The cities flagship library, the "Johannesburg City Library" has 250 000 members a collection f 1.5 million books and 120 computer workstations. The building is easily recognizable by imposing triple-arch, east-facing entrance. Built in an Italianate/neo-Renaissance style, and designed by Cape Town architect John Perry.

This building was opened in 1935, is located in the centre of the city, opposite Beyers Naudé Square, and is intended for the common good. However, the Johannesburg City Library itself is closed (alongside with six other COJLIS libraries under long-term closures). Libraries are often not prioritized, because their benefits are not direct. An investment by Carnegie Library In sub Saharan African Libraries was intended to address this and "unleash enormous pent-up demand for library services".

Public library advocates have protested at this closure and rallied in support of re-opening the central public library. Reading materials are as important as the need to restore water or electricity. Shut libraries can't assist with addressing South Africa's critical reading crisis which could be addressed by making reading books freely available. Opportunities to access information in the main city library are likely to be limited. The Johannesburg public library has remained closed from when Covid shut down libraries in 2020, to the official City of Johannesburg Library closure in May 2021 , after a preliminary status report, right to today. This library will continue to be shut until sometime in 2025. The Johannesburg City Council has responded belatedly for calls to reopen the library, indicating this was a key priority, and they have allocated R25 million (of the required R45 mission), so that the city library might comply with safety regulations. .

Expanding Access to Information
Libraries play a big role in offering free public internet to South Africans. Since 2013, with the introduction of e-learning services , as part of the ‘Smart City’ initiative, the COJLIS has become a prime example of the digital transformation of libraries. Led by Jeff Nyoka,, these e-learning services have both had achievements and faced challenges during the past ten years, including staffing constraints, connectivity hurdles, and budget reductions.

Johannesburg's public libraries are hubs of education, and anyone can go into a library and read books, magazines and newspapers. Patrons of the city's libraries are served by over five hundred (500) librarians that Library and Information Services employ. Physical libraries are not the only sources of information. In 2015, the city committed to rolling out 1000 hotspots by the end of the same year. The Library and Information Services (LIS) introduced e-learning and technologies into libraries in 2016 to ensure inclusion. . With the Massive Open Online Varsity (MOOV), announced by Vulindlele Jozi, MOOV would "deliver an efficient education in the shortest amount of time for the lowest cost in a nice kind of societal way". MOOV was intended to expanded access to those in disadvantaged areas and provide smart education while eliminating cost and accessibility hurdles. Since the expansion of e-learning services in 2016, the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC) has made free internet connectivity accessible in Public libraries. In 2020, the COJ announced that the cities broadband network company would receive R120 million over the next three years so that residents could access free WiFi Hotspots in 84 sites. For the latest news, the COJLIS offers Pressreader, "an all-you-can-read newspaper and magazine subscription service", that is only available at a few geofenced hotspot locations. For online books, there is Overdrive, a free service that permits patrons to borrow eBooks and magazines for free. Owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, an American Private Equity Firm.

History

 * Main | History of Regional Library and Information Services
 * Progress | Development of RLIS over time
 * Dates | Key milestones and events

Services Offered

 * Lending and borrowing services
 * Reference and research assistance
 * Programs and events for adults and children
 * Digital resources and online access

Benefits

 * Promoting literacy and lifelong learning}}
 * Supporting education and research}}
 * Fostering community engagement and outreach}}
 * Providing equal access to information}}

Challenges and Opportunities
Of the existing libraries in COJ, seven are closed for upgrades. Two libraries have shut their doors permanently - the Modderfontein Library and Norwood Library.
 * Funding and resource constraints