The Stellenbosch University (SU) library has been closed after heavy rainfall caused flooding in most of its areas and offices on Sunday.
After a weekend of heavy rains, most of the areas and offices of the Stellenbosch University library flooded. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
Around midday on 19 April, SU was informed by campus security that rainwater was flooding through the main entrance into the library, after the glass sliding doors cracked under the pressure of dammed-up rainwater. No injuries have been reported, since the library was closed at the time.
According to Ellen Tise, senior director of the Library and Information Service, the university cannot say when the library will reopen.
When the Stellenbosch University library flooded, major damages to the main glass door, carpets, furniture, books and shelves were reported. PHOTO: Supplied/Hendra Pretorius
“We will make an assessment at the end of the day and hopefully have a better sense of when we can open,” said Tise on Monday, 20 April. She added that the carpets need to be dry before the university can make a decision on reopening.
Damages to the library include the dislodged and cracked main door, as well as “major damage” to carpets, furniture and shelves. Approximately 300 books were damaged when water broke through a part of the lower-level ceiling.
Ellen Tise, senior director of the Library and Information Service, said that this year’s flooding of the Stellenbosch University library has been the worst in terms of total area affected. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
According to Tise, because of the underground location of the library, flooding has been on SU’s risk register for many years.The last major flood of the SU library was at the end of 2022. “But this is the worst in terms of total area affected,” she added.
“The library is the only place central to the Neelsie and my lab where I can sit in silence and focus on my work,” said Henry Viljoen, a second-year master’s student in wine biotechnology, who studies in the library most days of the week. Although he is stressed by the temporary closure of the library, he is fortunate enough to have Wi-Fi at home, said Viljoen.
According to Ellen Tise, senior director of the Library and Information Service, the carpets of the Stellenbosch University first need to be dry before a decision can be made on when the library can reopen. Pictured is a fan drying the Africana section after the flooding. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
Other parts of the SU campus that experienced localised flooding included sections of the Neelsie Student Centre and a number of student residences, according to a statement provided by Martin Viljoen, SU’s spokesperson, to SMF News on 20 April. These residences include Serruria, Huis Visser, Lydia, Simonsberg, Eendrag, Huis Marais, Khayalethu and Goldfields.
Approximately 300 books were damaged when part of a lower floor ceiling of the Stellenbosch University library broke. Pictured are library books that have water damage, laid out to dry. PHOTO: Hélène Wessels
All SU residences remain completely operational. Alternative accommodation and support is being provided by SU for affected on-campus students.
Cleaning, drying and restoration work is currently under way across affected areas. In the meantime, students are encouraged to use other study areas on campus, including SU branch libraries, said Martin Viljoen. These include the engineering and forestry library, as well as the music library and theology library.