By Margo Kuselo
Did you know you can still visit Gqeberha’s “closed” Main Public Library?
In 2014, the Main Public Library closed down to allow for building maintenance and restoration. Behind the scenes, staff members continued caring for and preserving the collections. Phase one of the maintenance has since been completed, while two additional phases are still planned to further improve conditions inside the building.
Recently, the library has started opening the space for guided tours, school groups, local residents, and tourists.
“There’s such love for this library,” one staff member shared during the interview. “Everybody has wonderful memories, and they want to share those memories with their children and visitors from overseas.”
Another staff member explained how visitors often arrive with a sense of wonder and curiosity the moment they step inside the building.
“Watching people reconnect with the library has become one of the most rewarding parts of reopening parts of the building to the public again.”
Where It All Started
The history of the library dates back to 1844 when it began as a reading room operated by a reading society in a rented room above a shop in Jetty Street.
Over time, the reading room grew into a shared public space centred around books, learning, and community.
In 1861, the subscription library became a public library. Subscribers could still borrow books, but members of the public were now also able to enter the library and read free of charge.
The current building officially opened in 1902 and remains one of Gqeberha’s most treasured historical buildings, as well as one of the city’s finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture.
The People Behind The Library
One of the key figures connected to the early growth of the library was John Owen Smith.
He helped promote the vision for a public library, an athenaeum, and a town hall in the city previously known as Port Elizabeth. When the first town hall was eventually built, the library was allocated rooms inside it.
Residents also began donating books and historical materials to grow the library’s collection. According to staff members, donors were often publicly thanked in local newspapers for their contributions.
Staff members say the strong community support for the library has never disappeared.
Why The Library Still Matters
The library remains home to rare shipping registers, historical government gazettes, Africana collections, and other archives that continue to assist researchers today.
One of the oldest books in the collection was written by Italian scholar Cristoforo Landino, who became known for writing in Italian rather than Latin, making literature more accessible to ordinary people during that era.
“Incredible,” “heritage,” and “culture” were just some of the words staff members used when describing what the library means to them.
Looking Ahead
The Main Public Library stands as a reminder of the importance of preserving spaces that connect communities to their history while inspiring future generations.
Members of the public can support the library’s preservation efforts by joining The Friends of Main Library, a volunteer group that regularly shares updates on tours, events, and initiatives connected to the library through social media.
The Main Public Library can be contacted on 070 705 8649.
Office hours are:
- Monday to Thursday: 07:30 to 16:30
- Friday: 07:30 to 13:30
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