Category: Advocacy
Related links:
Citizens Rally in Support of Public Libraries (VI Source)
Virgin Islands Daily News coverage (PDF download – 10 MB)
St. Thomas, USVI (October 19, 2011): On Wednesday, The Friends of the St. Thomas Public Libraries (FOSTPL) celebrated National Friends of Libraries Week (October 16-22, 2011) with its 3rd annual Gathering of Friends event entitled “SOL – Support Our Libraries”. Senators Janette Millin-Young and Patrick Simeon Sprauve, and representatives from the offices of Sens. Craig Barshinger, Carlton Dowe, Alvin Williams, Celestino A. White Sr., and Senate Vice President Louis Patrick Hill received dozens of concerned citizens of all ages who expressed their wishes for well-staffed, well-equipped libraries with convenient hours to serve the public. 신용카드현금화
In the absence of FOSTPL President Judy King-Edmeade, FOSTPL Vice President JJ Estemac opened the ceremony, which began shortly after 4pm. “Friends of Libraries groups all around the nation spend countless hours volunteering their services to support one of the most valuable resources of our communities—libraries,” he stated. He went on to remind the audience that the government needs community input to aid in the decision-making process. “After all,” he smiled, “This beautiful legislature is OUR house. All the libraries, they really belong to us.”
The program continued with presentations to the legislators and representatives present which included specially-selected books from the FOSTPL Book Redistribution Program (which recycles useful books instead of trashing them) and a packet with an honorary membership application; a copy of the CNN article “Hard economic times a boon for libraries” – indicating how those unemployed or seeking to augment their careers find free services and assistance at their libraries, and a position letter provided by King-Edmeade on behalf of the FOSTPL board.
While the opening of the new library in Tutu (set to be named for educator and former Governor Charles W. Turnbull) was a hot topic, all of the public libraries in the territory, including those in public schools and universities, are struggling from a lack of qualified personnel and funds. As the use of e-readers, the internet and various socially-maintained resources (“wikis”) proliferate, it is feared that none of our libraries will have the IT staffing necessary to provide maintenance and support. One resident, on hearing from Sen. Millin-Young that the Enid M. Baa Public Library is slated to close and become an archive, expressed distress, saying, “I live in the west, and now that my children are grown, I am back to work, and the library is no longer open after hours.” She decried the lack of Saturday hours as well, then wondered how she would be able to utilize the Tutu library, which is up a hill. “Will there be a shuttle service?” she asked. 소액결제현금화
St. Thomas/St. John Library Association President Marilyn Brissett took the time to acknowledge the efforts of Sen. Millin-Young on behalf of her school library, while stating that “We have qualified librarians with the proper degrees, but they have been placed in teaching positions, in our classrooms.” She also echoed the need for late afternoon and evening, as well as weekend hours. “And please, keep that Bookmobile rolling,” she encouraged. Also in attendence were the youths of the Sankofa Saturdays group, a Kwanzaa365 initiative that provides cultural, civic and social support to Virgin Islands children. The children arrived with coordinator and mentor Dara Monifa Cooper.
FOSTPL expresses gratitude to Legislative Executive Director Pamela Richards Samuel and the staff of the St. Thomas Legislature building for their hospitality and coordination assistance for the event. 카드깡
The Friends of the St. Thomas Public Libraries was founded in 1982 as the Friends of the Enid M. Baa Public Library, and maintains various programs throughout the year, including a Book Redistribution Program, Hospital Book Cart, Day Care Literacy Program and Summer Reading Program. Annual activities include Read on the Green and A Gathering of Friends. For more information or to join, download an application or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.