It has been 10 months in the making, with unexpected discoveries under the building, but the old tram shed is now the new Yeoville Library.
WORK is done and shelves are stacked with books; now all that is needed are keen readers: the new Yeoville Library will be opened in May.
A new library has taken shape in the old tram shed in Yeoville
Located along the busy Raleigh/Rockey Street, the new library has taken shape in the old tram shed, bringing it into the suburb's civic node. It is now in the same precinct as other community facilities - the recreation centre, clinic, community park, multipurpose courts and swimming pool. A new police station is also planned for the area.
Seipati More, a development manager at the Johannesburg Development Agency, which undertook the renovation of the building, says the library will officially open on Saturday, 16 May.
"The project took 10 months and was completed within time. The building was originally a tram shed, and then became a City Power sub-station before it was converted into a library.
"The new library will be located with all other community facilities. These are the recreation centre, clinic, community park, multipurpose courts, swimming pool and a proposed new police station."
Civic node
Together, these make the civic node. "It was only the [old] library which was outside the civic node [a few blocks away]."
Originally budgeted at R6-million, the conversion ended up costing R7-million. This was because of unforeseen structures - a sump and a rail track - discovered underground as the contractor was demolishing, More says.
There is also a huge tunnel underground that was retained in case the library wishes to use it in the future. Building the library was a challenge for the contractors, Boikanyo Construction, More explains.
Built in 1924, it was first the city's tram shed, later becoming a power station. The old building contained bollards, a well and concrete lumps. A new concrete floor had to be added.
"There were unforeseen structures discovered underground as the contractor was demolishing. There were also steel and concrete structures that were used when the building was a tram shed which were buried underneath," she says.
On Friday, 17 April, four Grade 5 learners from Yeoville Community School - Munashe Nharara, Susannah Nguwi, Nomthandazo Dlamini, and Mercy Mahopa - visited the new library and were delighted with the facility.
"We are very happy that we have a big library like this one. We will be able to come here on weekends to do our school work. We can't wait to use [it]," said Munashe.
Facilities
The new library has three sections: for children, for teens and for adults. Elegant furniture comprises tables, chairs and shelves made of polished wood and metal. The inside is painted pink, while the outside is cream and brown, with exposed brickwork.
Getting ready for the books
As it is a heritage building, More says the design retained as much as possible of the original structure, originally just one hall.
Sue McMurray, a manager with the City's library and information services unit, says there are no computers for the library at present. However, there is a computerised literacy programme, Media Works, for people who need to learn how to read and write.
The furniture cost R700 000, she adds; South African Breweries contributed R100 000 towards the furniture and R40 000 for air-conditioning in the adult reference section. There is also a separate quiet study room.
More says the City's social development department has plans for the old library building a few blocks away. It will possibly be used for community-related activities.
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