Open forum — St. Thomas
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Dear Source:
Throughout history, libraries have been destroyed by accident or on purpose, their treasures laid waste: The Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt (Julius Caesar), the House of Wisdom in Baghdad (Mongol Empire), the Royal Libraries of the Kings of Burma (British army), the Library of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium (Nazi Germany) and a number of libraries in Iraq, including the Central Library of the University of Baghdad (United States of America).
The library at its best is a citadel of knowledge and a haven for new ideas. The full measure of its precious contents can never be replaced if lost or ruined. In my opinion, the destruction of a library is cause for great mourning. But is the enemy us? An under-staffed, threadbare library that is not accessible when it is needed is not used. Over time, it may as well be dead.
Our territory’s libraries require adequate funding, a robust staff, and evening and weekend hours to make them accessible when adults and children can benefit from them.
Throughout history, libraries have been destroyed by accident or on purpose, their treasures laid waste: The Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt (Julius Caesar), the House of Wisdom in Baghdad (Mongol Empire), the Royal Libraries of the Kings of Burma (British army), the Library of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium (Nazi Germany) and a number of libraries in Iraq, including the Central Library of the University of Baghdad (United States of America).
The library at its best is a citadel of knowledge and a haven for new ideas. The full measure of its precious contents can never be replaced if lost or ruined. In my opinion, the destruction of a library is cause for great mourning. But is the enemy us? An under-staffed, threadbare library that is not accessible when it is needed is not used. Over time, it may as well be dead.
Our territory’s libraries require adequate funding, a robust staff, and evening and weekend hours to make them accessible when adults and children can benefit from them.
As a board member of the Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries, I’d like to invite everyone to SOL – Support Our Libraries during National Friends of Libraries Week (October 16-22, 2011) by demonstrating love for our libraries on all three islands simultaneously. On Wednesday October 19th from 4-5:30pm, we will host our 3rd annual Gathering of Friends event by with “SOL – Support Our Libraries”. Join us, and bring a book to read and share. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children. In this age of e-readers and digital collections, today’s libraries are the ultimate living, breathing documents… and from ancient scrolls to hardcovers to e-books, the world is yours, @ Your Library!
Visit our web site, www.fostpl.org for more information, and we look forward to meeting you on Wednesday! Support Our Libraries!
Anita Davis
Anita Davis
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St. Thomas
The Elaine Ione Sprauve Library on St. John has been given a wonderful facelift recently in the last year!
For that we are appreciative.
The real concern that has been expressed by young people 4 years ago in a DVD was that it was closed on weekends or evenings and consequently not allowing our young people access to books, computers and/or research material.
The usual question asked is "Why?". The answer usually given is no funding.
Many responsible volunteers have offered to give their time freely-so that these hours could be extended for this great need!
The response I have heard is that "this was once done-and doesn't work".
I say it CAN work with proper management and if we involved wonderful group participation like Rotary and other reputable organizations on St. John.
We "talk" youth concerns. When will we see action that says to our Youth...you matter! Opening our library during the most important free time in our young people's days-evenings and weekends-would be a great way to demonstrate that we mean to support their many needs.
Sometimes the simplest decisions like this-speak volumes. I hope someone is listening here and can help with this?
Love Bonny Corbeil, St. John.