HISTORY OF WITBANK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Witbank Public Library now know as "EMALAHLENI MAIN LIBRARY" , was established in 1937 as a Subscription Library.  The Library was managed by the Library Committee who were responsible for the administration of the Library, which included the budget, buying of books, payment of salaries, etc.  The Town Council supplied two rooms that were part of the municipal swimming pool complex for the Library.

Right from its establishment the Witbank Library had a book budget, which was exceptional.  Monetary donations were received from many organizations with which books were to be bought.  The best known of these organizations were:

• S.A. Cyanamid (Pty) Ltd
• Electricity Supply commission
• Rand Carbide Ltd
• Anglo American
• Witbank Colliery  

Witbank Colliery donated money that was to be used specifically to purchase reference material.  The Town Council also contributed to the annual budget every year.

The Library service became free of charge on the 1^st of July 1943 when it ceased to be a subscription library.  This immediately led to the tripling of book usage and membership. 

In November 1944, the Witbank Public Library became the first library to be affiliated to the Transvaal Provincial Administration Library Service.  In December 1944, the first books were received from the TPA.   Witbank Public Library is currently part of the Middelburg Region but was part of the Pretoria Region up until 1968.

Well know magazines, which are still being received, were also received in the 1950’s, for example:

• Popular Mechanics
• Illustrated London News
• Readers Digest

Up until 1968, membership was restricted to children older than eight years of age, and only persons above the age of 16 could use the reference material.  These rules were amended in 1968 so that children under the age of eight could become members.

Town Council of Transvaal Administration - Start building

Up until 1968, membership was restricted to children older than eight years of age, and only persons above the age of 16 could use the reference material.  These rules were amended in 1968 so that children under the age of eight could become members.

Due to the establishment of mine depot’s in the early 1950’s, the membership and usage of the Library, including the issuing of books, declined sharply.

In the 1950’s, the Library facilities became inadequate and it was decided to build a new building that would house the Library only.  In the late 1950’s, work started on the new Library building.  Mr. F.H. Odendaal the Administrator of the Transvaal at that time opened the Library on the 10^th February 1961.

Because the Town Council had made a large contribution to the erection of the new building, it was decided that they would have more say in the running of the Library.  The Library has been a part of the Town Council since 1962.  The Library Committee existed up until 1974 but only in an advisory capacity.  Mr. B. Marchand was a member of the library committee from 1937 until his death in 1972, mostly in the capacity of chairperson.

Services to Immergroen Old Age Home, Paxton Prison, and the Hospital started in 1972.  Some years later services to the Paxton Prison and the Hospital were terminated.

In 1975, a children’s section and administration offices were built on to the library.

The Clewer TPA Library Depot was taken over by the Witbank Public Library and became a branch of the Witbank Library in February 1981.  In 1981, the Schoongezicht TPA Library Depot is also taken over by Witbank Public Library.  Schoongezicht Branch Library had to be closed a few years ago however closed some years ago due to damage which occurred in the times of unrest.

In 1986, Klipfontein Branch Library was established to serve a section of the community too far away from the main library.

In 1987, Clewer Branch Library was moved to a larger premises and the service supplied was extended.

Currently the Library provides a service to all communities.  Story hours are presented on a regular basis at the different branch libraries.  Holiday programmes are also presented at the different branch libraries during school holidays.

LIBRARY VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

Since it inception this institution has been lead by visionary , passionate and information services orientated woman.

 LIBRARIANS :

Mrs. L.A. Williamson	—	1937-1945
Mrs. A.K. Curtis	—	1946-1947
Miss. D. Ulyate	—	1948- August 1967
Mrs. S.M. de Wet	—	1968- October 1970
Mrs. E.A.L. Grobler	—	January 1971- June 1992
Mrs. J. Rozmiarek	—	August 1992 - currently

NAME CHANGE

FROM WITBANK LIBRARY >>> EMALAHLENI MAIN LIBRARY


On 3 March 2006,Witbank was officially renamed eMalahleni, meaning "place of coal" matching the name of the municipality that contains it. A large number of signs to the town have already changed, but many still remain. In general the name hasn't caught on as well as some other towns in South Africa (such as Centurion or Polokwane) possibly because it was renamed later on or because the new name is very different to the original name. Some landmarks bearing the name Witbank have remained, while others (such as the Witbank/eMalahleni dam, Witbank Public Library to eMalahleni Main Library) have been renamed.