Help us build Ocho Rios library - chairman pleads on library's 70th anniversary

Chairman of the St Ann Parish Library Committee, Radcliffe Walters, is pleading for support to help build a library in Ocho Rios as space at the current facility is woefully inadequate to support the dispensing of proper service to the public.

Speaking to The Gleaner during Wednesday's open day at the St Ann Parish Library in St Ann's Bay, Radcliffe said land was obtained from the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) at a location in Ocho Rios but funds are needed to get construction going.

"The library service is still an important part of nation building. When you think of the services that we render, especially to the schoolchildren, and what we want to do is to expand the service, especially in Ocho Rios, where what we are offering at that branch library is inadequate because of inadequate space," Radcliffe explained.

"We got a piece of land from the UDC where we want to build a library, but you know, funds are not available and so we want people to get on board, join the committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and help us to get that library going in Ocho Rios."

Despite the shortcomings at the Ocho Rios Branch Library, Radcliffe said overall, the library service in St Ann, which has a network of 11 branch libraries, in addition to the parish library, is going well.

Meanwhile, senior librarian at the St Ann Parish Library, Opal Scott, has described the open day as a success.

The event was part of a national celebration of the Jamaica Library Service's 70th anniversary as an association.

"The turnout has been tremendous. We have invited our guests and sponsors throughout the year to come and visit with us, all our users, everybody," she said.

LIBRARY TOURS

"We're doing several things, including library tours, which is the most popular event because all areas were open to everybody - the offices, the computer lab. We were doing a little computer training - Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp - during the tour. They saw how we processed a book from start to finish."

The event was supported by Heart Trust/NTA, JCDC, College of Hospitality, New Windsor Pharmacy, and other entities.

Free tests were offered, such as blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV; free massages for senior citizens, and face-painting for the kids.

Special invitees included teachers and parish champions in the library's annual reading competition: Tashana Brown, winner of the 21 and over category; Jajuan Brown, the nine to 11-year-old champion, who placed second in the national finals, and Ruthan Smith, the six to eight-year-old champion.