Long-standing Riverpark librarian retires
ALEXANDRA - The Alex community will soon loose one of the City Council Library Services' long standing servant.
The Alex community will soon loose one of the City Council Library Service’s long-standing servants.
Melanie Durgin (60), senior librarian at River Park Library since 2007, will be going on retirement from August, but her love of Alex children’s education won’t be totally lost to the area.
Durgin will continue her contribution to their literacy development at the Phutaditjaba Community Centre on 17th Avenue where she will take part in its library and other children’s programme.
“My retirement has opened another door to continue my passion for their literacy and children are the foundation for the future. With education, poverty and most social ills can be eradicated. Once a child is introduced and grasps reading and writing concepts at a young age, they develop an interest in education which is essential for the improvement of their lives and for society in the long term,” she said.
Her interest began in 1969 when, aged 12, she dabbled with books on the weekends in Hillbrow Library. Later, after qualification, she had stints at the Yeoville, Rosebank and Parkview libraries before transferring to Riverpark.
Even although she will be on voluntary basis at Phuthaditjaba, Durgin will maintain links with River Park Library for the centre’s children to get more books and to participate in programmes like battle of the books, ready to read and story skirmish.
She will also maintain relationships with crèches she worked with to encourage their adoption of the library’s literacy programmes. “Many crèches don’t have literacy programmes and should do so by loaning books. They are allowed to get up to 30 books every three weeks for free.”
While sad about her departure, Durgin expressed pride in the opportunity she had to help improve the quality of service at the library. This resulted in improved patronage to about 150 readers daily, a dedicated staff of five librarians and three security members. Council’s recent installation of Wi Fi in addition to the computers contributed to the increase, with patronage shooting up dramatically as youths camped there in a bid to improve themselves and keep away from crime.
Her colleague, Given Phago, said that while she deserved a rest, Durgin will leave a legacy as a pillar of strength. “She was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the library’s services improved consistently, staff were supported and the working environment was collegial.”
Durgin’s concerns were electricity, water cuts and theft of books. She urged the culprits to think about how this denied their counterparts, relatives and own future children, an asset to improve their lives.
Details: River Park Library 010 443 3525.
