DURBAN - The city is finalising a new lease agreement to keep the Durban North Library open, while a report is being compiled on the status of libraries in the eThekwini Municipality.
The Durban North library came under discussion at the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Tuesday, when a request for authority to extend the lease for the Durban North library - for the library based at Kensington Square on Adelaide Tambo Road - was given the nod. The lease expires in August. The city was in discussions to have it extended until August 2025.
During consideration of the matter, there was a unanimous agreement to approve the extension of the lease agreement which includes the fact that the location of the library makes it accessible to most of the community members and the premises adequately accommodate the library requirements.
Exco member and DA councillor Nicole Graham said a number of libraries were being shut down as a result of leases not being renewed. Her suggestion that a comprehensive report be submitted to the executive committee through the Community Services Committee regarding the status of libraries in the municipality was supported. The report was also to include libraries already shut down and those at risk of being potentially shut down, including reasons for this.
The city is negotiating the final terms and conditions of the extension of the lease agreement taking into account the market rates and signing all documents necessary to conclude the lease.
Daily News