Johannesburg’s Public Libraries
Although public houses proliferated in the early gold-rush town, there was also a sense of culture with a theatre, schools and a debating club. The need for "a good public library and reading rooms where the countless young fellows in the town could while away a pleasant hour" was identified by Rev J T Darragh, Rector of St Mary's.
The Johannesburg Library opened in July 1890, funded entirely by subscriptions and donations. It operated from various locations before acquiring a site in Kerk St where it remained for the next 40 years.
The construction of the current building in Market Square was the result of an architectural competition won by John Perry. The Johannesburg Public Library was one of the most prominent buildings to be erected during the 1930's. It opened on 6 August 1935.
In 1936 the City Librarian, Reginald Kennedy, toured Europe and the United States, to study library practice in those countries. On his return he recommended to the council that suburban branch libraries be established in order to make access to the library easier for all citizens of the city.
The outbreak of the Second World War halted progress, but after the war the policy of decentralization was resumed. By 1992 a total of 36 branch libraries had been established.
Rhodes Park Library was the second branch library to be opened in Johannesburg. It was opened on 27 October 1947, with extensions made in 2005. The first branch library was the Westbury Library, which opened in 1940.
LIBRI THESAURUS ANIMI - Books are the treasure house of the mind.
Instructions
At the library entrance look for the sign giving the opening times.
Take note of the number of hours that the library is open on the following days:
Monday to Thursday LESS 1 = X
Friday = Y
Saturday = Z
The cache is hidden in the park at the following location: S 26 11.6Y2 E 028 05.X4Z.
GPS reception in this area is poor due to tree cover, so please be patient and quarter the area if necessary.
Additional hint due to poor reception: What do trees need to hold a cache?
FTF: DamhuisClan