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Cape Provincial Library Service De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape

Date: 1961-1963 Type: Provincial Buildings Status: Extant Street: Cor Hospital St / Chiappini St   Click to view large map Coordinates: 33°54'57.08" S 18°25'15.57" E Alt: 39m

"In 1961, planning commenced for a new building to house the new headquarters of the Library Service, which would be situated at the corner of Hospital and Chiappini Streets in Cape Town. Building costs were estimated at R1,7 million. Key innovations for the custom-engineered structure were a paternoster book lift and a conveyor belt. These belts were supposed to run continuously, carrying books to and from different sections of the building. A pneumatic tube system for transferring book request cards was also to be installed. To optimise the available floor space, which was purposely designed to support the heavy weight of books, the building would be the first in South Africa to be equipped with the compactus mobile book shelving system. The roof - today covered with solar panels - was even designed to allow for helicopter landings. In 1964, Gilbert Morris was appointed director and the service moved to the newly built premises." (From: Cape Librarian/Kaapse Bibliotekaris, Vol 69 Nr 4 July-Aug 2025, inside front cover)