Your next favourite book is already on our shelves.

Academia Library is a place to read in peace, learn something new, get online, bring the children in the school holidays, and launch the book you worked so hard to write. Come in and find your corner.

Chat on WhatsApp Call 021 300 5572

409 Imam Haron Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town. Open Monday to Friday 08h00 to 17h00 and Saturday 09h00 to 13h00.

Pick a spine to see what's inside:

Quiet reading Kids' holiday club Islamic books Computers and Wi-Fi Book launches Events

More than 25 years of library management experience
A community library since 1987, now a registered NPO
On a main public transport route, with free secure parking

Built by readers, for the whole community.

Al-Ikhlaas Academia Library began with a few friends pooling their books. It has grown into a library the whole community uses.

Behind it are people with more than 25 years of library management experience. The library sits inside the Academia complex at Islamia College in Lansdowne, close to schools and colleges, on a main public transport route. It is a registered NPO managed by volunteers, open to people of every faith and background, with a special strength in Islamic literature.

We also know that people come to a library for different reasons. Some want a quiet chair and a novel. Some need a computer to finish a CV. Parents need somewhere safe and fun for their children during school holidays. Many families want a good collection of Islamic books close to home. And authors want a room full of books to launch theirs in. The library is built for all of them.

Becoming a member lets you borrow, reserve and renew books, and use the library's free Wi-Fi. Message us on WhatsApp to join.

1982A group of friends opens the Habibia Bookshop on the grounds of the Habibia Masjid.
1987The Islamic Library is established in Primrose Park, answering a real need for Islamic literature.
GatesvilleThe collection moves to the Al Quds Masjid, where thousands of visitors come through its doors.
2016Al-Ikhlaas Academia Library opens at Islamia College in Lansdowne, built for books, technology and community.

Professional collection management, so you can find what you came for.
A dedicated Islamic book collection, kept together and easy to browse.
Programmes for children that make reading feel like play.

Academia Library

Name: Every reader is welcome
Looking for: Novels, study help, Islamic books, a first picture book
Bring along: The kids, your laptop questions, your book idea
Due back: Whenever you want more stories

A space for every kind of visit.

Whether you are here for an hour with a novel or a whole day with a crowd, there is a room that fits. Tap any button to ask about it on WhatsApp, or email marketing@academialibrary.co.za for booking details.

The reading room

A calm, comfortable place for people who simply love to read. Choose a shelf, find a chair, and stay as long as the story needs you. Whether you are finishing a novel or studying for exams, the room is kept quiet so you can concentrate. Postgraduate students also have a dedicated research area on the mezzanine, with full internet connectivity.

Ask about the reading room

Islamic books

The library began in 1987 as a home for Islamic literature, and that is still its heart. Browse works across the Islamic sciences, and ask our librarian to help you find a title.

Ask about Islamic books

Computers and internet

Use our computers and internet access for research, school projects, job applications, CVs and online forms. Registered members get free Wi-Fi, and laminating and bookbinding are available too.

Ask about computers

Kids' holiday programme room

A dedicated children's area with colour-coded furniture, plus a touch-screen audio-video room for up to 10 children with educational software. It is the home of our school holiday programmes.

Ask about the holiday programme

Event and book launch space

Our launch space seats up to 100 guests, with built-in audio and video, live-streaming and booklet printing. Your guests arrive in a room full of books, the best backdrop an author could ask for.

Ask about renting the space

Seminar room and art gallery

Our air-conditioned seminar room holds up to 20 people, with a screen for video conferencing, free high-speed connectivity and live-streaming, ready for workshops, podcasts and meetings. Catering can be arranged. The art gallery has space for creative workshops, and parking is free and secure.

Ask about the seminar room

Things happen at the library.

Libraries work best when they are full of people. These are the kinds of gatherings we love to host.

Holiday programmes for children

Every school break, children can join us in the children's area and the touch-screen audio-video room for reading, learning and creative activities. It is learning that doesn't feel like homework.
Get the next holiday programme details
Book launches

Authors deserve a proper welcome. The library has hosted launches that filled the room, including Prof Fataar's book launch and the MJ Li book launch. Yours could be next.
Check launch availability
Talks, series and visiting speakers

The library welcomes scholars, authors and community leaders, and has run programmes such as a Ramadaan reflections series with Imam Afroz Ali.
Ask about upcoming events
Talks, workshops and community meetings

Our seminar room hosts up to 20 people with live-streaming, and the launch space has full audio-visual and PA facilities for lectures and workshops. A trusted, central place to gather your community.
Ask about hosting

What's new on the shelves.

Stories from the library. Message us on WhatsApp to be kept in the loop, or read more on our news page.

Prof Fataar's book launch fills the library

In January 2018 a packed library welcomed Prof Fataar for the launch of his book, an evening that showed what the space can do for an author and their readers.

Read the full story

A major Qur'an commentary joins our shelves

Sheikh Muhammad Al Asi's tafseer of the Qur'an became available at the library in December 2019, adding to our Islamic collection.

Read the full story

Looking for a particular Islamic title?

Our librarian is happy to help you find it in our collection. If it is not on our shelves, tell us what you are after and we will note it down for the future.

Request a title

Help a child fall in love with reading.

Academia Library is a registered NPO, conceived and run by volunteers. New titles, building maintenance and up-to-date technology all depend on well-wishers, so that people in less privileged communities can reach knowledge too.

Give books

Have books you have finished with? We welcome clean, good-condition books for adults and children, including Islamic titles. Message us first so we can tell you what we need most.

Give time

Read to children, help at a holiday programme, or lend a hand on the shelves. A few hours of your time makes a visible difference.

Give funds

Your gift goes to new books, general maintenance and utilities such as water, electricity and telephone. Zakah, Sadaqah, Fitrah and Lillah contributions are all welcome.

Give by bank transfer

Bank: Al Baraka Bank
Account name: Academia Library
Account number: 78600170508
Branch: Athlone, code 800000
Reference: Your contact number

Ask how to donate

Send us a WhatsApp and we will reply with the best way to give, whatever you are able to offer.

Say hello. WhatsApp is fastest.

Questions about a visit, a booking, a donation or a book? Send us a message and a librarian will get back to you.

WhatsApp067 279 4387 Phone021 300 5572 Emaillibrarian@academialibrary.co.za Visit us409 Imam Haron Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town
Mon to Fri 08h00 to 17h00, Sat 09h00 to 13h00 Room and venue bookingsmarketing@academialibrary.co.za