library

The oldest library in the world, founded by a woman, is being rehabilitated by another woman. The al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morocco will reopen its doors in May 2016. The refurbishment came with its challenges and surprises for architect Aziza Chaouni.

The community of Batharos will encourage its children to read now that TT Lekalake Primary School has its own library, thanks to the efforts of Brand South Africa and its partners.

Brand South Africa and partners hand over library in Northern Cape.

A small NGO called Nourish helps communities around the upmarket game reserves of Hoedspruit benefit from a range of interventions, such as a library, skills development, a food garden and a moringa plantation.

Play Your Part and Shout SA will be in the arid Northern Cape, to open a library at the TT Lekalake Primary School in the village of Bathlaros. The event will help to underscore the importance of reading and education.

Storytellers across the land were invited to tell stories for Nal'ibali's Story Bosso – the best storyteller in the land. Out of thousands of entries, there are 15 finalists. Their audio stories are available for download from Nal'ibali, as the celebrity judges decide on the winner.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions hosted its World Library and Information Conference in Cape Town in August. It enabled librarians from across the world to experience local hospitality, and allowed for energetic discussion on the role of a library in this modern era.

Collect-a-Book, an offshoot of Collect-a-Can, donated thousands of books to underprivileged schools, in exchange for cans the schools had collected for recycling. It was a win-win exercise for Mandela Month.