Cape Town Libraries to Reestablish Pre-Pandemic Borrowing Policies

In a significant shift toward normalcy, Cape Town's city libraries are set to revert to their original borrowing policies, effective from 1st February 2024. These changes mark the end of the temporarily expanded borrowing arrangements that were put in place to accommodate library users during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering extended loan periods and increased item limits.

The prior adjustments allowed patrons to borrow up to 20 items for an extended period of one month, accommodating the restricted access to library facilities during the height of the pandemic. These measures, introduced as a relief strategy intended to keep people engaged and reading while adhering to lockdown measures, are now set to expire as the city readjusts its operational strategies post-pandemic.

Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s Mayco member for community services and health, described the temporary extensions as necessary at the time but acknowledged the issues it created, such as prolonged wait times for other library users and increasing instances of fine accumulations as materials were held out for longer durations.

With the aim to balance accessibility with availability, the reinstated policy makes a calculated retreat to pre-pandemic regulations. Adults will once again be permitted to borrow up to 12 items, while children's borrowing caps are set at seven. The borrowing period is standardized at two weeks, still with the provision to renew the borrowed items, should the need arise.

This policy renovation is not solely about returning to what once was but is also informed by the intention to enhance the quality and efficiency of library services for all. The city noted that before the pandemic-induced changes, each library item would circulate up to 24 times annually. In contrast, that figure has halved under the relaxed regulations. By adjusting the terms of borrowing, the municipality aims to increase circulation frequency and material availability, thus fostering a richer, more inclusive library experience.

With the aim of reducing the impedance of library usage, the city is also revising the fine system. During the pandemic, the increased fine limits on overdue items coincided with a rise in blocked accounts, which paradoxically dissuaded patrons from returning materials and negatively impacted overall circulation. By reverting to the more traditional fine systems and borrowing limits, the city libraries hope to minimize losses, inspire timely returns, and alleviate the risk of accruing hefty fines for patrons.

In a concurrent adjustment reflecting the changing landscapes of information consumption, Cape Town libraries are steadily phasing out physical newspapers and magazines in favor of digital alternatives. The transition to e-copies has been facilitated by PressReader, an online service providing a wealth of electronic reading materials and periodicals to which the public can access through either the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) or directly via smart mobile devices. This shift comes as a response to reduced provincial grants for printed materials and supports the growing move toward digital access within library services.

Library users and members of the community are advised to acquaint themselves with the upcoming changes. Whether one is an avid reader, a researcher, or someone who relies on library services for study and personal growth, these adjustments are designed to streamline the library experience and adapt to the evolving context in which these public institutions operate.