Kirkwood Library has been crowned the winner of the prestigious LIASA-Ndende Public/Community Library of the Year Award for 2025.

The announcement was made at the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) 2025 Conference, held recently at the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha under the theme “Libraries as Innovation Hubs: Empowering Communities.”

The award recognises libraries that lead in innovation, community empowerment, and service excellence. Kirkwood Library stood out for its outstanding integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools and its role in promoting access to technology and learning in a rural setting.

Director for Community Services and Public Safety, Mrs Andiswa Mbongwe, said the recognition is a celebration of hard work and commitment to community service.

“Being selected as the national winner among so many exceptional libraries is a tremendous honour.

It reflects what is possible when public service is driven by passion, inclusivity, and purpose even in under-resourced communities,” she said.

Mrs Mbongwe added that libraries are a strategic asset in driving development and promoting lifelong learning.

“Libraries are safe, inclusive spaces where people regardless of age or background can meet, learn, and grow.

Their role in education, social cohesion, and economic empowerment makes them vital to the Municipality’s development goals,” she added.

The Municipality’s Library Unit has also achieved national recognition for digital innovation, ranking among the top three libraries in South Africa for e-book circulation, as acknowledged by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC).

This national award reaffirms the Municipality’s commitment to modernising public services and fostering innovation in rural areas.

Despite limited resources, the Library Unit’s success is a testament to creativity, collaboration, and strong community partnerships.