The Umbilo Library in Bulwer Park. The Glenwood Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) welcomes any meaningful investment in public library facilities.
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Durban should strengthen and modernise its library network to keep pace with the increasing number of students and young people living in and around the Glenwood, Musgrave, and Umbilo areas.
These were the views of the Glenwood Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP), following the closure of the Musgrave and Windermere libraries. The public was informed to use other libraries, including the Umbilo library.
Due to a rental dispute, the Umbilo library was closed for three years before it was relocated from Queensmead Mall to Bulwer Park in November 2023.
Fran Kristopher, eThekwini Ward 33 DA councillor, explained that the Musgrave library was temporarily closed in August 2025.
She said that the municipality gave no directive regarding plans for permanent closure, and the matter was not tabled at the committee or council level.
According to Kristopher, the public was alerted to rumours surrounding unpaid rentals and discrepancies on the water and electricity bills.
Kristopher stated that the municipality could use multiple unused assets and facilities instead of leasing space in malls. She explained that the Umbilo library now serves three wards, but is unsuitable to accommodate the number of patrons using the library service.
“Windermere library closed, and all the patrons were directed to Musgrave Library. In a span of two years, we have seen two libraries close down, leaving the Umbilo library to service across three wards. The assets of the Musgrave library are still on the premises. I believe they are being held as collateral for outstanding rental amounts,” she said.
Simphiwe Ndlovu, director of Recreation and Parks, explained that the Musgrave library was situated inside a shopping mall, and the lease agreement ended on March 15, 2025. He was responding to questions at a recent council meeting.
“The municipality could not renew the lease before it expired because of issues of compliance by the service provider. When the matter was resolved, there was a tight schedule to complete the lease renewal process. The library is closed permanently because there is no contract with the landlord,” he said.
Ndlovu said there were long-term plans to develop the Umbilo library to accommodate a bigger volume of customers.
“The Umbilo library is housed in a small building with limited capacity. Long-term results will address this. The city is considering the possibility of building a new library at Bulwer Park that will merge the Musgrave and Umbilo libraries,” Ndlovu said.
Before the news of the permanent closure, a Save Musgrave Library petition was launched by the Glenwood UIP. The UIP has shifted its focus to improve the Umbilo library.
Pravin Amar, the chairperson of the Glenwood UIP libraries, stated that libraries remain an essential community asset.
He said that many learners, students, and residents rely on accessible public libraries as places to study, access information, and participate in community life.
“Our earlier engagement around the potential closure of the Musgrave library was motivated by a concern that if the municipality’s current focus is to strengthen and upgrade the Umbilo library so that it can better accommodate the growing demand from surrounding communities, the Glenwood UIP would certainly welcome any meaningful investment in public library facilities,” Amar said.
He added that the UIP supported initiatives that strengthen community infrastructure, particularly facilities that promote literacy, education, and safe public spaces for residents and students.
“The UIP remains supportive of initiatives that promote literacy, expand access to educational resources, and ensure that public infrastructure continues to serve the needs of the community,” Amar said.