Cultural Affairs and Sport
- What is the breakdown for (a) 2024/25 and (b) 2025/26 of total recorded usage of all public libraries funded by his Department, including (i) physical visits, (ii) items borrowed, (iii) new memberships registered and (iv) active members;
- what is the breakdown for the same period in (1) above of digital library usage, in-including (a) e-book loans, (b) Wi-Fi sessions and (c) public computer usage at public libraries?
- The breakdown for (a) 2024/25 and (b) 2025/26 of total recorded usage of all public libraries funded by the Department, including (i) physical visits, (ii) items borrowed, (iii) new memberships registered and (iv) active members is provided in “Annexure A”. The total active members are 567590 and 536154 for 2024/25 and 2025/26 respectively. Membership numbers reflect active users, whose memberships have been renewed. All members are active in our system.
- The breakdown for the same period (1) above for digital library usage including (a) e-book loans is as follows:
2024/2025
Circulation (checkouts)
Ebooks: 281 306
Audiobooks: 85 583
Magazines: 91 342 (service available from 28 Aug 2024)
2025/26
Circulation (checkouts)
Ebooks: 290 362
Audiobooks: 105 808
Magazines: 262 432
(b) Wi-Fi sessions
In rural public libraries across the Western Cape, free public Wi-Fi is provided by the Western Cape Government (WCG) Centre for E-Innovation (CEI). Details for the rural public libraries are provided in “Annexure B” and “Annexure C”
The final information for the 2025/26 period is not yet available, as data is currently being migrated to a new platform.
(c) public computer usage at public libraries?
A total of 1,472 workstations has been made available for public use across rural public libraries through the RLCP. These workstations serve as critical access points for communities that lack reliable internet connectivity or personal digital devices. They enable users to undertake essential activities, including applying for SASSA and UIF benefits, registering for educational opportunities, developing curricula vitae, and searching for employment.
By providing free access to computers, internet connectivity, and basic digital support, public libraries play a key role in bridging the digital divide. This ensures that vulnerable and low-income individuals are not excluded from accessing essential services and economic opportunities. Furthermore, such access promotes social inclusion, strengthens digital skills, and supports broader community development by empowering individuals to participate effectively in an increasingly digital society.
All the public computers in the City of Cape Town libraries are connected to the Internet using our SmartCape service. The latest SmartCape usage report is attached as “Annexure D”.
