Newlands Library

Running a library in suburban Sandton means managing constant foot traffic, maintaining systems that actually work when load shedding hits, and keeping collections relevant for a community that's mobile and time-poor. Newlands Library handles the practical side: coordinating with Johannesburg's library network, managing returns across branches, sourcing new titles that reflect what locals actually want to read. The work involves cataloguing systems that stay functional despite electricity interruptions, training staff to help users navigate digital resources when the internet's unstable, and physically maintaining spaces that get heavy daily use. It's not glamorous—it's about making sure books are findable, computers stay accessible, and the building itself remains welcoming even when Eskom's unpredictable.