The library is said to have started in two iron huts in 1948 that lacked both electricity and seating.[1]
The library was housed in the first building in Soweto designed to be a public library in 1950. It was built on Mooki Street by people from the local Vocational Training Centre and impressively it was larger than other public library then available in the main city of Johannesburg. It was probably the most important library for Africans in South Africa at the time.[2] In 2012 the libraries in Soweto said they had nearly fifty thousand members.[3]
The Library's collection was given a substantial gift in 1963 when Madie Hall Xuma, the American born widow of Dr. A.B.Xuma who had been a President of the African National Congress during the 1940s, gave his book collection to the library. Her husband had died in 1962 and she moved back to the United States.[4] Madie Hall Xuma had also been active in South African politics becoming president of the national council of the South African Young Women's Christian Association.[5]
In 2000 the library was updated and extended. In 2013 a blue plaque was installed to recognise the library's importance as the oldest public library.[2]
The library has good signage and still has spacious accommodation. It attracts students to study with its "fairly full" shelves and a good reference section that includes textbooks. Upstairs there is a media centre and an area reserved for children's books.[3] The library offered free internet access in 2013.[1]
Greater Johannesburg
Natural environment |
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Geology | - Kaapvaal Craton
- Transvaal Supergroup
- Witwatersrand Supergroup
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Topography | - Witwatersrand
- Magaliesberg (partially)
- Vredefort impact structure (partially)
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Rivers and wetlands | |
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Climate | |
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Cradle of Humankind | |
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Biodiversity | Vegetation types | - Andesite Mountain Bushveld
- Carletonville Dolomite Grassland
- Eastern Highveld Grassland
- Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands
- Egoli Granite Grassland
- Gauteng Shale Mountain Bushveld
- Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld
- Highveld Alluvial Vegetation
- Moot Plains Bushveld
- Rand Highveld Grassland
- Soweto Highveld Grassland
- Tsakane Clay Grassland
- Urban woodland
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Parks and gardens | |
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Nature reserves | |
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Human impact | |
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Cityscape |
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Landmarks | Public art | |
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Civic buildings | |
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Office buildings | |
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Residential buildings | |
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Structures | |
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Urban planning | |
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Politics |
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Governing parties | |
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Political organisations and parties based in Greater Johannesburg | Political parties | |
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Trade unions | |
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Other political organisations | |
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Fortifications | |
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Monuments and memorials | |
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Cemeteries | |
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Historical sites | |
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Historical companies and organisations | Companies | |
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Political organisations | |
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Other organisations | |
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Events | |
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Cultural heritage | |
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Performance art | Musical ensembles | |
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Theatres | |
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Events and festivals | |
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Museums and art galleries | |
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Clubs and societies | |
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Religion |
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- SACC
- Anglican
- Catholic
- Protestant
- Jewish
- Islamic
Places of worship | Churches | |
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Synagogues | |
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Mosques | |
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Hindu temples | |
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Scientology centres | |
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Media |
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Mass media | Magazines | |
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Newspapers | Defunct | - New Age
- The New Age
- The World
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Radio stations | |
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Television channels | |
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Film studios | |
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Record labels | |
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Game studios | |
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Cultural references | |
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Companies | |
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Diversified conglomerates | |
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Airlines | |
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Construction and engineering | |
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Energy | |
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Financial
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Hospitality | |
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ICT | |
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Legal | |
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Manufacturing | |
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Media | |
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Mining | |
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Retail and marketing | |
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Restaurant franchises | |
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Services | |
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Transport | |
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State-owned enterprises | |
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- Companies based in Ekurhuleni
- Companies based in Johannesburg
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Professional associations | |
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Mining | |
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Shopping centres | |
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Hotels and resorts | |
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Venues | |
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Restaurants, bars and cafés | |
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Tourism | |
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Sports governing bodies based in Greater Johannesburg | |
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Teams | Soccer | |
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Rugby | |
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Cricket | |
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Basketball | |
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Equestrian sports | |
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Sports events | |
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Sports venues | Stadia and arenas | |
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Golf courses | |
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Equestrian venues | |
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Motorsports venues | |
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Libraries | |
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Universities | |
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Other tertiary institutions | Business schools | |
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Religious institutions | |
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State schools | |
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Private schools | |
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Alternative schools | |
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International schools | |
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Services |
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Hospitals | |
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Water supply and sanitation | |
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Electricity supply | |
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Law enforcement and emergency services | |
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Charities and NGOs | |
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Military units and formations |
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- Category
- Johannesburg
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