Dryden Street Primary School breaks ground on innovative library project

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22-04-2026
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Southern Suburbs Tatler
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Dryden Street Primary School broke ground on a development for a new school library on Wednesday, April 15.

The Salt River-based school will have its library constructed by the architectural firm and is expected to have it completed in about six months. The work is funded by the Otto Foundation and the Rotary Club of Newlands.

The City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the zoning applicable to Dryden Street Primary School permits the construction of educational facilities, including a school library, as of right. “There is therefore no legal impediment to the construction of the new school library, and the City can confirm that Dryden Street Primary School is permitted to proceed with the development,” he said.

Principal Stanton Smith said the idea around the new school library started as a “dream” three years ago. “The Otto Foundation saw the need for a library at the school, and did a lot of research,” he said. 

Mr Smith said once the library is completed, it will be called The Dream Library. 

“We are thankful to the funders for making this possible. As a public school, it is not always possible to have a project this size done,” he said.

Mr Smith said a new school library with a librarian will add a lot of value to the school.

The Otto Foundation CEO, Dr Frouwien Bosman, said they are excited to get this library project off the ground and to get the Dryden Street Primary School pupils excited about books and reading.

Architect Max Melvill said they have been working on this project for the last six months. “We have been guiding this process, with the Otto Foundation, Dryden Street Primary, and a range of important funders, and we look forward to delivering on an amazing library facility for a school that has never had one,” he said.