In just one year (2011/12), Masiphumelele Community Library helped 20 vulnerable young people find jobs and encouraged another 31 to enter further education. The library’s information and communication technology (ICT) training, careers counsellng and job-readiness programme serves young people in Masiphumelele, an impoverished informal settlement near Cape Town. The service, is building young people’s skills, confidence and employability.

The service was initiated in 2011 with support from te EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP). This two-page case study is based on impact assessment conducted by the library in 2012.