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Youth-Led YearBeyond Programme Brings Reading Initiative to George Libraries

The YearBeyond Library Programme officially launched across several George municipal libraries on 30 March 2026, bringing renewed energy to community reading initiatives and youth development. The programme is currently active at George Library, Pacaltsdorp Library, Blanco Library, Thembalethu Library, and Uniondale Library, where unemployed youth-known as “YeBoneers”-have been placed to support daily library operations and promote a culture of reading.

YearBeyond is a Western Cape initiative aimed at empowering young people while strengthening community services. Within libraries, YeBoneers assist with a range of activities, including encouraging reading habits, coordinating exhibitions and activations, supporting administrative functions, and providing digital and ICT assistance to library users.

As part of their efforts to inspire a love for reading, the YeBoneers at George Library launched the #WednesdayWeRead initiative on 1 April 2026. This national campaign encourages South Africans to pause once a week-every Wednesday-to read for at least 30 minutes, whether it be a book, poem, magazine, or newspaper. The first session took place at the Botanical Garden, where YeBoneers were joined by George Library Manager, Rachel Williams and facilitator Malibongwe Luyenge. Also in attendance was Dr Kamika Bell from Delaware, USA, (standing left of Rachel Williams) who had presented a leadership and empowerment workshop at the George Museum the day before.

The #WednesdayWeRead sessions will continue weekly at George Library from 12:00 to 14:00, inviting the community to take time out of their day to reconnect with reading and learning.