‘Reading Unseen Work’ By Aberdeen School Learners

In the run-up to South African Library Week (SALW), Aberdeen Library, in conjunction with all the local schools, Aberdeen Secondary, Aberdeen Primary, Kamdebo Primary and Luxolo Intermediate, hosted a reading competition in the library hall.
Eighty-eight selected learners from Grades 7-11 from the above schools took part in an exercise of ‘Reading Unseen Work’ (unprepared oral) in Xhosa, English, and Afrikaans, which they read out to and were individually judged by a panel of four judges.
The judges for the competition were Mr Henry Jantjies, Councilor Vuysile Jacobs, Councilor Maureen Jacobs and Miss Nomawongo Ngube. The M.C. of the competition was Mrs Lydia Koopman, assisted by Mr Ruiters and Mrs Val Denham the Aberdeen Librarian being the organizer.
The finalists chosen would be three learners from each language group, who would receive a certificate of their reading competence, and would proceed to take part in the next round of ‘Reading Unseen Work’ in Port Alfred on the 11 March 2010. The final stage of this competition is to take place in Queenstown.

An inspiring addition to the competition was the inclusion of A.B.E.T. Learners, who took part in reading in Afrikaans, and in a session of ‘story telling’.
The learners were obviously enjoying the occasion. They clapped their fellow competitors enthusiastically and they were quiet and well mannered and listened intently when all the readings were taking place. It is hoped that in future reading competitions a microphone might be used, as the acoustics of the library hall do not allow the learner with a quiet voice to be heard at the back of the library hall.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Aberdeen Celebrates South African Library Week

South African Library Week (SALW) will be celebrated country wide from March 22 to 27 2010. Their theme is ‘Reading Changes Lives’.
The South African Department of Arts and Culture is partnering with ‘LIASA’ Library & Information Association of South Africa to create a campaign for libraries, books and reading with a national impact.
Their theme is "Every Child a Book" and this will be a month long campaign from 20 March to 23 April 2010 in recognizing freedom of access to all information, as is enshrined in our Bill off Rights. The object of this campaign is to actively contribute towards an informed and reading nation.
It is interesting to note that acknowledgement of the first public library was on March 20 1818. This library is now the State Library in Cape Town.
During the campaign week March 22-27, a donation of books will be made by the Aberdeen Books and Crafts, who are observing this worthwhile cause here in Aberdeen.
The Aberdeen Book Club has taken this campaign to heart, and books were donated from all members of the club, to the Aberdeen Library on Thursday morning 4 March 2010. As seen in the photograph were book club members, Sandra Bowker, Gaye Day, Gloria Peniston and Sue Shaw with Librarians Zodwa Nikelo and Val Denham.
This passion for, and the enjoyment of reading, is fully understood by many. They are able to comprehend what it must be like to be without the ability to read, or to have books available.
Hopefully, donations of books will be made by all members of the Aberdeen community to the Aberdeen Library or in the form of an individual gift, or as presentations to schools. Children’s books in most language groups are obtainable in Aberdeen, and in many homes there are books both adult and children’s which could so easily be passed on to those who would enjoy the experience of gaining knowledge, entertainment and language expertise from reading them. It would be an encouraging gesture to all the people of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembaliswize for the community to give support to this campaign.
As Rachel More, LIASA President said: "A Library is the heart of a community, a beacon of hope, a symbol of upliftment and empowerment in any community. As partners in education and social development, libraries play a vital role in eradicating illiteracy, instilling a culture of reading which sparks critical thinking and debate needed in any democracy."

Article By: Joan Tinker

Aberdeen Library - A Beautiful Space

Aberdeen Library could rate as one of the best kept secrets of Aberdeen. This quiet, air conditioned, and immaculately maintained space is surely one of the most informative institutions in Aberdeen, and it certainly has the most attractively structured arrangement in imparting knowledge. The Library is filled with colourful information ranging from behavior to health issues.
This well laid out library is filled with books which are neatly tabulated from facts to fiction, entertainment to education, motivation to sports and athletics. The reference section is large and well stocked in journals and volumes on world knowledge, which are printed in both English and Afrikaans.
On the library walls, coloured documents giving advice on life sciences are to be seen, giving advice and encouragement to all readers, parents and the fortunate children who use this library.
There is a glass enclosed room for privacy and the comfort of quiet reading. This room also has a television, where videos are shown on a Friday. Photocopying facilities are also available.
The very young children’s area which is suitable for primary and pre-primary school learners is cleverly arranged with large coloured picture posters on the walls showing fruit, animals, and items of learning interest to young children. Small chairs and tables in different colours give the area a bright and happy feeling.
Boxes of puzzles are available to children who can be supervised in groups, as is shown in the photograph of Librarian Zodwa Nikelo, with grade 4 & 5 learners between the ages of 9 to 11 years, where the calm method Zodwa displays, brings peace and quiet to the children at task.
Zodwa has been with the Aberdeen Library since July 2009. She is from Grahamstown, and is employed by the Eastern Province, and her knowledge of the library shows the competence and enjoyment of her work.
Magazines are also available for reading, and it would be appreciated if new magazines were donated by the public. Books also needed by the library are those printed in Xhosa, and also books on all sports, especially soccer as the ’World Cup’ approaches.
The shining light behind the Aberdeen Library is Librarian Val Denham who is responsible for this being an institution that can make all of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe very proud. Val has been the Librarian of Aberdeen for 16 years, and an enormous vote of thanks should be given to her for the dedication she has shown to the Library, and the obvious love and enjoyment for her chosen work.
All children need to be encouraged to visit this library, and to spend time reading, as books can be your best friends. Teachers in all the local areas are also involved in encouraging learners to read.
‘The best gift you can give your child is an Aberdeen Library Card’. Visit your Library and be impressed as we approach South African Library Week (S.A.L.W.) from March 22 to 27 2010.

Article By: Joan Tinker

A Good Reaction...

Thank you to Clive Kombani and his team at the Aberdeen Municipality for cleaning Aberdeen central business area early on Sunday morning the 28th February. Residents and farmers who came into Aberdeen early Monday morning on March 1st to shop for the new month, were greeted by a spotlessly clean Aberdeen. It is much appreciated, well done Aberdeen Municipality, keep it up and thank you.
Article By: Joan Tinker

Absa Bank Cancer Awareness Day In Aberdeen

Absa Bank Manager Mr Milroy Rafferty, Maria Nkopo teller,
Patricia Pieterse & Helen Jonck from Enquiries

On Friday 24th February, ABSA Bank held their ‘Cancer Awareness Day’ in Aberdeen. The Bank Manager Mr Milroy Rafferty said that ABSA Bank was looking for donations to support cancer sufferers and cancer research. The colour for ‘Cancer Awareness Day’ is pink, and to support the initiative of this campaign, the Aberdeen staff wore pink clothing. The bank was decorated with pink balloons, and pink hair spray was offered to the more adventurous of their clients.
In March there will be support on a larger scale, when a running relay has been organized through out the night in Port Elizabeth, for ABSA staff and relatives of those people who suffer the challenge of having cancer.

Article By: Joan Tinker