Cape Town: City libraries are celebrating ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ featuring various activities and events, from taxi ranks to reading competitions. This year’s theme is ‘Read Your Way’ that aims to encourage everyone to get involved.
Reportedly, the city libraries are hosting a series of events to mark the World Book Day with more than 7500 reasons to read. However, their efforts are extending well beyond the covers of this international commemoration libraries host hundreds of interventions quarterly, to promote literacy and a love of reading.
Between July 2024 to March 2025, the libraries hosted 6136 storytelling sessions, 640 reading programmes and 796 book club meetups.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that these numbers underscore the determination of the Libraries and Information Services to get people hooked on books.
Reading is a critical tool for learning and expanding the understanding of the world and by improving literacy rates, as they empower young and old. Libraries remained vital hubs for education and lifelong learning. The World Book Day serves a reminder of their enduring role in strengthening communities.
Moreover, the World Book Day was commemorated with the activities that began last week and continued to celebrate this week. With libraries hosting a variety of events to engage learners, patrons and communities.
The Rocklands Library set the tone with their annual reading competition on April 15, 2025 that featured learners from local schools. This further highlighted the events that included storytelling sessions, literacy outreach programme at the Bloekombos taxi rank and a visit by an author at Parow Library.
Notably, the public has been reminded that every day is a good day to read something, as no matter what their interest is, check with their local library about the myriad events and activities that are hosted year-round.