OVER 3 000 learners from schools in Mdantsane, as well as others living in the area, will be able to walk to their own library by the end of this year.

Construction of the NU14 Library is under way, having started in late 2009 with the levelling of grounds, putting up of fencing and digging of foundations. The second phase, construction of the main library, starts in April.

The main library will include a reception area, a community hall, ablution facilities and an integrated library for the blind, the physically disabled and the general public.

The blind section will have a computer room for the partially blind, a reference section, Braille books and other materials. The physically challenged section will have a computer room and a study area. There will be a reference section, a computer room, a study area and a reference area for use by the public.

Ablution facilities will accommodate physically challenged people.

The first phase will cost at least R2,3-million, while the second phase will cost over R40-million. An amount of R52-million was given by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. The project is spearheaded by the Coega Development Corporation.

Babini Melitafa, the project co-ordinator at Coega, said: "The library will help learners and students from surrounding areas with learning material and other useful library information … This will serve as an information centre to the people of Mdantsane and we hope they will use it accordingly."

Construction will be finished by the end of the year, and the library will be handed over to Buffalo City Municipality.