Orlando East Public Library, Public library in Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa

The Orlando East Public Library occupies a building on Mooki Street, erected in 1950 by workers from the local Vocational Training Centre and larger than any public library then available in Johannesburg. Upstairs are a media centre and a children's book area; below are a reference section with textbooks and shelves described as fairly full. A blue plaque marks the facade.

The library began in 1948 inside two corrugated iron structures without electricity and received its first purpose-built building in 1950. This made it the first public library constructed in Soweto at that time.

In 1963 Madie Hall Xuma, American-born widow of ANC president A.B. Xuma, gave his book collection to the library after his death in 1962. She had led the national council of the South African Young Women's Christian Association. Upstairs a media centre and a children's book area serve readers alongside the reference section.

The library has clear signage and spacious rooms; the media centre and children's book area are upstairs. In 2013 it offered free internet access. Students use the fairly full shelves and the reference section, which includes textbooks.

Madie Hall Xuma, American-born widow of former ANC president A.B. Xuma, gave his book collection to the library in 1963, a year after his death, before returning to the United States. She had herself led the national council of the South African Young Women's Christian Association.