Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. has signed a proclamation designating the week of April 10–16 National Library Week in the Virgin Islands. This week is a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide. This year, the American Library Association (ALA) has set the theme for National Library Week as “Create Your Own Story @ Your Library.”
In recognition of the week and in celebration of V.I.’s public libraries, the DPNR’s Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums has announced the National Library Week’s library participation, activities and events. The division will also be hosting site visits and tours of the Enid Baa Public Library and Archives, Florence Williams Library, Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Athalie McFarlane Public Library for approximately 30 library staff and library professionals from Guadeloupe, French West Indies, during the week.
Territory-wide book amnesty will be a key incentive at the public libraries during the week. Library patrons are encouraged to return their overdue books and have the accrued fines waived. Lost book fines are excluded from book amnesty week.
St. Thomas
The St. Thomas Bookmobile will be at the sixth annual Read on the Green Community Day, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, April 9 and April 16. The event, sponsored by the St. Thomas-St. John Library Association (STSJLA), will be held at St. Thomas campus UVI Golf course.
Territory-wide, National Library Week public libraries’ activities include storytelling, visiting class library tours, exhibits and much more. Contact each library for more information regarding specific activities.
St. Croix
On April 14, from 9:30–11:30 a.m. at the Florence Williams Public Library, there will be a storytelling program with Sharon Charles and the Lew Muckle Elementary School Wake Up Writers Cluband other local storytellers dedicated to honor Mrs. Delta M. Dorsch, renowned educator, storyteller and culture bearer.
During the program, the Virgin Islands Letters About Literature Student Winners will be announced. Letters About Literature is an annual national reading and writing promotion program sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, presented in partnership with Target and affiliate state Centers for the Book.
Join in the 80th anniversary celebration of talking books in conjunction with National Library Week from 1-5 p.m. on April 15, at the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Golden Rock
Talking Books is a program making reading possible for visually impaired and physically handicapped individuals nationwide and in the V.I. This free library program brings reading materials in digital audio and Braille formats straight to the homes of patrons from preschoolers to centenarians. Books on digital cartridge, digital talking-book players and Braille books are sent to patrons via the U.S. mail at no cost to users. People who sign up with the program also have the option of downloading books and magazines over the Internet in audio or Braille format.
St. John
The Friends of the Elaine I. Sprauve Public Library on St. John will erect and dedicate a large mahogany sign on the grounds of the public library to commemorate National Library Week. The sign was generously donated by Jean Gibbs and Mr. and Mrs. John Wasilchak, members of the Friends of the Elaine I. Sprauve Library. There will also be a special guest reader at the story hour at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 14.
For more information, contact the Enid Baa Public Library on St. Thomas 774-0630, the Florence Williams Public Library at 773-5715 and the Athalie Petersen Public Libraries at 772-0315 on St. Croix or the Elaine I. Sprauve Public Library at 776-6359, or visit the public library’s Web site at www.virginislandspubliclibraries.org for a calendar of events or more information.
