New library opens in Bequia

by Denika Compton Fri, Oct 28. 2011

The people of Paget Farm, Bequia have been reminded that a building with books does not do anything unless the people utilize the books.{{more}}

The reminder was given last Thursday, October 20, by parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines Dr. Godwin Friday, at a ceremony for the opening and dedication of the new Paget Farm Community Library.

Friday, who stated that a library is a useful thing in a community, said no one should have to defend the resources spent on a library.

The library project was implemented by the Northern Grenadines Community Development Inc, with funds provided by the Australian Government, on the government owned site, which formerly housed the post office, and before that, the clinic.

Saying that he believes that the people of Paget Farm will utilize and protect the facility, Friday urged the Ministry of Education to use the library as a starting point to energize the efforts to ensure that the Paget Farm Primary School and children of the community are able to access the resources necessary to perform at the national level, because anything else is unacceptable.

Remarks from Australian High Commissioner, Philip Kentwell were read at the ceremony, as he was unavoidably absent. Kentwell said the establishment of a community library in such a remote location enhances the area’s self-sufficiency, opens up residents to more literacy and educational opportunities and ultimately reduces the impact of poverty, by providing access to a much needed centre of learning.

Feature speaker for the evening, Minister of Tourism and Industry Saboto Caeser, told the audience that the project would not have been a success without the contribution and assistance of the Australian Embassy, and that one should be more grateful because this assistance was given in a time of global financial crisis.

Caeser commended the work of Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs Herman Belmar and said we must never fail to appreciate that we can only build a sustainable economy and country, if we educate our people.

Caeser stated that over the past ten years, this country experienced a revolution in education. He said the revolution is not only experienced by students who were sent overseas on scholarships, or reflective in the number of graduate teachers at the schools now compared to previous years, but in the significant increase in the number and quality of libraries that have been developed in the past ten years.

The Minister further stated that when he heard about the new library in Bequia, he knew that great things are going to come out of this project for the benefit of all persons. He encouraged the parents, teachers, students and those who are working relentlessly in community organizations to make it their business to take care of the young minds.

Director of Libraries Tamara Job-Moses emplored residents to take full advantage of the library and to encourage others to do the same.

Catherine Joyette, Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education said the Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines has developed twenty public libraries and ten branch libraries in the country. She urged persons to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them.

Herman Belmar, Deputy Director of Grenadines affairs said that the hand of God was with them throughout the whole project and thanked everyone who assissted and worked hard towards the completion of the building.

The building was blessed by Bishop Devon Ollivierre and the evening ended in a time of celebration.

The ceremony also saw interesting presentations from the Paget Farm Government School and the Bequia Anglican Primary School.