Sandton Public Library

Sandton Library is a public library within Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. It opened in 1994. It is part of the City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services' public library network, and has collection of over 92,000 items, including books, audiobooks, and various periodicals. The library is also notable for its distinctive triangular architecture, which has garnered multiple awards. The library's location within Nelson Mandela Square, adjacent to the larger Sandton City shopping centre, places it at the heart of one of Africa's largest retail complexes. The Joburg Tourism head office is also located within the Sandton Library building. History Sandton Library officially opened its doors in 1994, coinciding with the inauguration of Sandton Square, later renamed Nelson Mandela Square. The initial construction cost for the library and its integrated facilities was R20 million. The building was conceived as a multi-functional civic complex, initially housing not only the central public library but also Council chambers, an art gallery, and other municipal facilities, as part of a larger development for the Town Council of Sandton. This multi-purpose civic design, combined with its location in Sandton—which emerged as the new financial district of South Africa in the 1990s as corporate offices relocated from downtown Johannesburg —suggests the library was conceived as a symbol of the new Sandton's civic and cultural aspirations in a post-apartheid era. The complex is physically connected to the larger Sandton City shopping centre, together forming one of Africa's largest retail complexes. In the 1970s, a bridge connected the outer plaza of Sandton City to what was then Sandton Library and the Sandton Council building. Architecture The architectural design of Sandton Library was a collaborative effort, developed in conjunction with Meyer Pienaar Architects and Urban Designers. The building features a distinctive triangular plan with three wings organised around a similarly triangular atrium, which is partly glazed to create a bright, light-filled interior space. The architecture was profoundly influenced by the challenging and "awkward, wedge-shaped tract" of land between two public squares. The architects deliberately embraced these site constraints, allowing them to dictate the building's unique character and design. The exterior is clad in "archaic honey brick masonry walls" with pigmented mortar, creating a planar appearance. Construction faced challenges, including tight budgetary constraints and some opposition within the Council, which necessitated an accelerated construction program where final documentation evolved in parallel with the construction process. Despite these difficulties, the structural scheme for the atrium roof and spiral ramp was designed to be visually exciting, evolving from an interaction between economy and invention. The ramp cross-section, for instance, comprises rolled flat bars forming stringers and a stiffened steel soffit plate. This innovative structural design was later recognised with an award. The structural costs for both the library and the art gallery were approximately R14 million, with the library accounting for about 70% of that cost. Collections and services Sandton Library houses a collection of over 92,000 books. Beyond traditional print materials, its holdings include audiobooks, videos, music CDs, language tapes, local daily and weekly newspapers, periodicals, and Provincial and Government Gazettes. The library offers a wide array of modern services designed to meet diverse community needs. Its E-Learning Centre provides public computers for internet searches, typing assignments, CV creation, and digital training. For remote connectivity, virtual services offer facilities for virtual meetings, online examinations, interviews, and classes. Dedicated study spaces are available for quiet work, and business workshops are offered to support local entrepreneurs and professionals. Standard services include photocopying, scanning, and printing in both color and black and white, as well as book loans. A comprehensive reference section provides access to various subscribed databases for research purposes, complemented by free WiFi access for all visitors. Membership to the Sandton Library is free for all community members, including foreign nationals who can join using a passport number, though membership is required to borrow materials. The library's operational hours are generally Monday to Friday, from 09h00 to 17h00. During the winter months (May to June and October to November), hours are extended, and during exam periods, the library is one of seven City of Johannesburg libraries that extend operating hours on Saturdays and Sundays to support students. Beyond its core library functions, the facility offers spaces for hire, including an auditorium and medium venues suitable for small groups, with prior permission required for filming and photography. A significant integration of public services is the co-location of the Joburg Tourism head office and Visitor Information Centre within the Sandton Library building on the 4th floor. Community engagement and impact Sandton Library provides community space and educational programs within Sandton Central, which is being developed as a "15-minute neighbourhood" where residents can access daily needs within a short walking distance. The library hosts a variety of regular programs and activities, including weekly story times for young children every Thursday at 15h30. Business workshops are also offered to support local entrepreneurs and professionals. The library has also hosted cultural and intellectual events, such as World Philosophy Day, which was hosted on November 29, 2023, in collaboration with UNESCO South Africa and New Acropolis, focusing on "Applying Values for Co-existence". Similarly, Sandton Library celebrated World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, 2024, featuring speakers who discussed "Strengthening the culture of reading, and leaving no one behind". A crucial aspect of the library's community engagement is the "Friends of Sandton Library" organisation, established in 2004. The "Friends" consist of retired volunteers who dedicate their time to sorting donated books and raising funds for the library, primarily through monthly book sales. These sales offer fiction books for R10 and non-fiction at varying prices, with book donations actively welcomed. The library also provides direct support for students, particularly during exam periods. It is one of seven City of Johannesburg libraries that extend operating hours on Saturdays and Sundays to provide study space and reference services. Unique features and digital innovation Sandton Library provides extensive digital services and access to diverse media. Its collection includes DVDs, and its e-learning center offers public computers and free WiFi for internet access and digital training. The City of Johannesburg's Directorate of Libraries, which oversees Sandton Library, received the prestigious 2020 Public Library Innovation Award from EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries). This award recognized the City's innovative use of digital technology, specifically its #Covid-19 Facebook digital video series, for providing remote digital library services during the lockdown, including reading development and access to online content for e-learning. Awards and recognition Sandton Library has received significant recognition for its architectural design: South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) Merit Award (1995): The library was honored with this award for its outstanding achievement in architecture. The citation specifically noted the unusual choice of building type for a library and commended how the design successfully integrated the constraints of its awkward site with the functional criteria needed for a good library and public facility. Institute of Steel Construction (ISC) Award (1995): Concurrently, the library received the ISC Award, which recognized its innovative use of steel in its construction. The integration of architectural and engineering design in the atrium roof and spiral ramp was particularly praised as an "exciting end product," demonstrating a harmonious blend of economy and invention. The building was described as emanating "a unique sense of place" and having the potential to become an "unconfoundable symbol of its locality". References