Local authors who attended Hout Bay Public Library's discussion on fiction last week to celebrate Library Week. They are: Consuelo Roland, Helen Nevin, Gail Gilbride and Joelle Searle.
Image: Keanan Harmse
To celebrate library week, Hout Bay library hosted a discussion on the importance of fiction with some local authors last week.
The discussion was led by Helen Nevin, while local authors Consuelo Roland, Gail Gilbride and Joelle Searle, shared their views on fiction and writers, according to library spokesperson, Renee Cohen.
Library Week takes place from Thursday March 20 and allows local libraries to market their services in an effort to contribute to the understanding of the important role that libraries play in a democratic society, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, according to the Library and Information Association of South Africa's website.
"Audience participation ensured a lively and stimulating one-hour session. The conversation continued over tea and biscuits.Whilst everyone agreed that fiction is essential, and a world without fiction would be unimaginable, we could not reach consensus as to which books and plays we would choose as prescribed works for Grade 12 learners, if we could advise the Minister of Education!
"Fiction fosters connection, empathy, tolerance and critical thinking. That is why a library is an essential part of a community. Support your local library, and look out for interesting future events," Ms Cohen explained.