100 boxes of books donated to National Public Library

One hundred boxes of books were handed over the National Public Library last week. These books were donated from the West Thisbury Library on Martha’s Vineyard.

The donation was made in keeping with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by SVG’s Ambassador to the United States LaCelia Prince and the Martha’s Vineyard Island Council in 2006.{{more}}

Consul General of SVG to NY Selmon Walters delivered brief remarks at the handing over ceremony on August 13. He indicated that the donation came about because of the interest of the Martha’s Vineyard Island Council in helping to strengthen the library service in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Walters disclosed that the Island Council also wants to offer reciprocal training to the staff of the library, where members of the staff of the Public Library would travel to Martha’s Vineyard and members of the Thisbury Library would journey to SVG to learn about our culture.

He said the connection between residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Bequia is a strong one because of the shared history of whaling. Walters explained that this could be used to boost the tourism industry and further strengthen ties between the islands. He said there is a strong interest among some residents of that seaside US community in sailing from the Vineyard to Bequia and also through the Grenadines.

The Consul General also mentioned the idea of a having a culture fest to expose the culture of SVG to the residents of the Vineyard. Walters also spoke of a proposed e-pal programme, which is the electronic form of a penpal programme, which he said is part of the cultural exchange envisaged between both communities.

The New York based diplomat requested that anyone who has books authored by Vincentians that they wish to donate to the West Thisbury Library, they should do so, as it is their plan to have a Vincentian corner at the West Thisbury Library where the residents can read and learn about Vincentian culture.(SM)