USinfo@Central
News from the Mission
USinfo@Central provides resources and programs in Cape Town’s new Central Library
October 17, 2008
Cape Town: USinfo@Central, an American reading room in Cape Town’s new downtown Central Library, was officially opened this month. Located inside the newly renovated library in the Drill Hall, USinfo@Central is a partnership between the United States Consulate General and the City of Cape Town.
USinfo@Central is anchored by a collection of reference books and magazines where one can access a wide variety of information about the United States, such as business directories, travel guides, history, education, government, sports and more. In addition, the donation of digital video conferencing equipment in the library’s Seminar Room makes it one of the few public libraries in the world to have this facility.
This digital video conferencing equipment was successfully inaugurated at the recent opening ceremony with an inspiring presentation about the library of the future with Leslie Burger, Director of the Princeton Public Library in New Jersey, and former American Library Association president. Addressing the role of libraries in the 21st century, where Google, digital databases and a growing generation of tech-savvy users preside, Ms. Burger described the library of the future as about people having a comfortable public space to gather in, exchange information, and learn – in other words, the community’s living room.
Since the opening ceremony, USinfo Central has provided an “educationUSA” presentation about studying in the United States, and has screened the U.S. presidential debates between Barack Obama and John McCain. In the next few weeks, Capetonians can look forward to documentary film showings, a chance to vote in a mock-election on November 4th, and interpretive programs on the day following the elections.
USinfo@Central: the place for information about the United States in Cape Town.
