Snoepie die Biblioteekkat ~ the Library Cat

-Ailsa Tudhope-

Prince Albert was among the first of the Cape Colony villages to open a Public Reading Room in 1858. Over the years it has grown and become a fully fledged library which is part of the Beaufort West division of the Western Cape Library Services. The occasional dog has paid visits to the library, either accompanying an owner on foot or carried in by enthusiastic young owners, as a puppy, to be “oohed” and “aahed” over by Tannie Reinie. Now the canine visitors must take a back seat, for we have an official Library Cat, Snoepie.

Nou wag hy elke oggend voor die biblioteek, as hy Reinie hoor aankom, gaan haal hy haar op die sypaadjie, want hy weet dis tyd vir sy ontbyt! Deur die dag “ontspan” hy uitgestrek op die mat, groet die kinders wat inkom en speel (of verjaag) die honde-maats wat inloer.

Besides Snoepie, what else can you find at the Prince Albert Library? The friendliest of librarians! Reinie, Bettie and their part-time assistant Jeanette will bid you a warm welcome and share their knowledge of the broad range of books, CD’s, DVD’s, video’s, magazines and newspapers they have in stock. Afrikaans and English material is available and the books are regularly supplemented by quarterly visits from the “Boekewa”, the Library van, which brings new items, including special short-term collection material. Gentle music provides a relaxing backdrop to Library visits.

Die Naslaan- en Leesafdeling bied ’n wye verskeidenheid van die nuutste tydskrifte, en vorige uitgawes kan uitgeneem word om rustig by die huis te gaan lees. Vir ons jongmense word daar ook goeie voorsiening gemaak – hulle het hul eie naslaan-afdeling en ’n wye verskeidenheid materiaal vir skoolprojekte. Gedurende skoolvakansies kan die kinders DVD’s kyk in die biblioteeksaal. Deur die jaar kan hulle Vrydae-middae inkleur, teken en legkaarte bou.

Gedurende die jaarlikse Biblioteekweek is die biblioteek vol kinderkuns, kleuterskole word besoek en ’n Teedrink vir lesers bo 60 word gehou. Almal wat die biblioteek besoek kry boeksakke, boekmerke, lekkergoed en stempels op hul handjies – dit hang af net hoe oud hulle is!

Tourists and visitors are most welcome to browse through the library’s collection of books about Prince Albert, supplemented by Reinie’s own scrapbooks which include newspaper and magazine articles about the village and its residents.

The Library is such a homely and welcoming place that it simply HAD to have a cat. Thanks for moving in Snoepie.