Renewed efforts bring life back to Gqeberha's Main Library

The Victorian Gothic building, which was closed for 12 years, is attracting interest from locals and cruise ship tourists alike.

- By Riaan Marais

If you had to compare Gqeberha's city centre now to what it used to look like in the early 1900s, it would be nearly unrecognisable.

Many historic buildings have been levelled to make room for modern office blocks, and the landmarks that are still standing have deteriorated because of the passage of time and lack of care. But a near-pristine example of early Victorian Gothic architecture still stands in the old town square and is a testament to the old saying: they don’t make them like they used to.

Known simply as the Main Library, the building is the object of renewed efforts to restore the grand old lady to her former glory and reopen the space to the people of Gqeberha and visitors alike.

Although the building was officially opened in July 1902, the library’s history dates back several more decades and across various locations to when it started in 1844 as the Port Elizabeth News Society.

The society initially rented a room above a shop in Jetty Street and provided members with newspapers and magazines from England before building a small collection of books.

In 1845 it rented space in the Commercial Hall and slowly bought up everyone’s shares in the building. The library later moved to another location and rented its premises to the local government as a courthouse.

Later, the Commercial Hall was demolished to make way for the current Main Library building, which opened its doors in 1902.