The Children’s Book Network (CBN) is working with community leaders at Red Hill settlement outside Simon’s Town to refurbish the library.
The reading room, which is used by children of school-going age is being moved to make room for crèche and pre-school facilities. The move is dependent on funding and building requirements and has been postponed until late June 2013. “CBN asked how we could help and the community told us that they wanted to give the library a face lift and create a comfortable area for the children to sit and read,” says children’s author and CBN co-founder Lesley Beake.
The work is being funded by a mixture of grants and private donations. A bare concrete floor will be replaced with wooden flooring, rugs and scatter cushions, exposed wires in the ceiling will be covered over and the books will be rehoused onto low-level shelving. “We have some exciting ideas for the decor and want to introduce a lot of bright colour as well as the childrens’ own artwork,” says Beake.
CBN will be running three small workshops with the children of Red Hill in April in preparation for the opening ceremony of the refurbished library (date to be announced). The sessions, run by CBN volunteers, will focus on art, music and drama – all in the context of books and reading.
For more information, or for offers of help, contact:
info@childrensbook.co.za
