The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation said at the time it would be reopened in June 2015. According to the Project Manager and Deputy Director of the Provincial Library Services, Elmari Kruger, there were many challenges during the first phase of the project.

Kruger, however, says the Library is currently in its last construction phase. Although R15 million was initially allocated for all three phases, Kruger mentions the costs had escalated.

She adds the Bloemfontein public library is one of four legal deposit libraries in South Africa, excluding the Library of Parliament, which means each book published in the country has to be available at the Bloemfontein Public Library as stipulated in the Legal Deposit Act.

“While we were busy with the major upgrade of the library, more needs were identified. We had some challenges to complete the work. We are, however, busy with the last phase. It was a major upgrade consisting of three phases. Phase one and two have already been completed. We are currently working on our last phase. We are planning to open the library next year and have everything ready,” Kruger adds.

In May 2017, the public can expect a state of the art library where they will be provided with a study area. The people who visit the library will have free Wi-Fi access, among other benefits.

There will even be programmes presented for child development. The public will also be trained on how to access educational material.

In the meantime, the public is advised to make use of their nearby community libraries.

OFM News/Katleho Morapela