Library hero John Nicholson is appealing for a canopy for his backyard reading project.
John took to social media at the weekend asking people to assist with a temporary shelter so that he and his wife, Gail, can continue their library sessions with the children of Lavender Hill.
Despite having no roof to cover their garage, the couple continues to feed children twice a week, but are unable to hold their afternoon reading sessions.
The couple are unable to afford a new roof, after the City approved their building plans in December.
In April last year, the City cautioned that they remove the roof or face a penalty of R730. This follows a decision made by the Municipal Planning Tribunal.
The drama started a few weeks before, when the couple were approached by a sponsor, Jean Williams of Biblionef SA.
John was appealing for assistance to replace the metal sheeting on his roof, which was leaking into his library.
But when he and Jean approached the City, they discovered that no plan had been submitted for the makeshift structure.
It was then that he was threatened to remove the roof or face the penalty.
John Nicholson needs a roof to cover his makeshift library in Lavender Hill
The City also told John that he must apply for a land use permit and permission to operate his library.
The couple has been serving the community for over 15 years under the banner of their organisation “Omegaview” and named their library “Siyafunda”, which means ‘’read’’.
John says the winter rain has prevented them from hosting reading sessions inside their roof-less garage.
“We just need temporary cover in the form of a tent or sheeting,” John explains, “Our reading programme cannot continue because we still have weeks of winter left.”
“We do continue to feed the children twice a week, but they are unable to stay and read due to the weather and we do not have the finances to build a new roof as yet.”
If you can assist, contact John on
072 313 6358.