According to Mario Martins, divisional director of CSX Customer Services, a group company of JSE-listed Metrofile Holdings Limited, these findings correlate with recent research conducted by the company which showed that most provinces in South Africa can only afford to build three new libraries per year. "This is largely due to the huge financial costs (average cost exceeds R2-million), the timely process (up to 9 months to build), dependency on infrastructure and community development in selecting the location as well as the durability and maintenance of construction."
He says provinces throughout the country simply cannot afford to keep up with the increasing demand for educational resources. "In the event that a new library was built and delivered to the community, it is often left without funding for books and the necessary security solutions to protect the precious media content."
"The research indicated the need for an affordable library solution that could be easily produced, delivered and maintained which catered specifically to rural communities across the country. The modular library solves all these challenges."
The modular library units are constructed from prefabricated materials designed to last up to fifty years, they require little maintenance and are rust- and waterproof, says Martins. "Compared with traditional brick-and-mortar buildings, the price and time needed to construct the modular libraries is far less. The lower cost to construct the library allows for larger budget allocations for the essential books to fill the library."
"A key area of concern for active libraries is the loss or theft of books. CSX incorporates a 3M library detection security system as a standard feature in all modular library units, thus reducing and preventing loss of media items," says Martins.
Martins says the units are transported via road freight and need very little site preparation, if any, making it the ideal solution for rural communities in need of educational facilities.
Martins says that one of the many initiatives whereby CSX and Metrofile aim to uplift and contribute positively to the local community is the donation of such libraries. "We believe there is no better gift than education and strongly feel that the donation of the good quality and reliable modular library will enable a better education for the youth of the country."
"South African students all deserve the right to a functional library where they can enjoy a safe and easy way to access the vital resources needed to complete homework and school projects and ultimately motivate them to realise the importance of education for a sustainable future," concludes Martins.
