Library reopens!
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHILDREN of the Dr. Williams Connor Primary School were recently introduced to their new learning tool and resource, the school’s very own library.
After being out of operation for eight years, the library was officially reopened yesterday (Feb. 1); an event which formed part of the learning institution’s Literacy Week of activities.
The library is situated on the upper floor of the building that houses the school, and an intimate ceremony was held in the compound to declare it open by Education Officer Clarice Cotton. That was followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony which was performed by the school’s Sports Personality Queen, Romona Lall.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the school Ruth Duport explained to SKNVibes that having gone dormant in 2004, the reopening of the library was made possible through the contributions of partners including non-profit charitable organisation ‘Hands Across the Sea’.
“It has been out of operation since 2004. We found that the books were lacking. We wanted more interesting books and we just did not have to funds to go out and get the books. We tried a book drive and that was not too fruitful. We felt that the children were accustomed to seeing the same books.
“Last year when we had our Peace Corps Volunteer, Chris, he was interested in the library and he had affiliation with this organisation ‘Hands Across the Sea’. He wrote to them, and in December of last school year they sent us seven boxes of new books. So we decided to work on getting the library started. They have joined us as a life-long partner and have committed to replace books whenever they need to be replaced.”
Cotton commended the staff of the school for the initiative, noting that involvement in the library is expected to inculcate in the students several principles which would assist them during and leading to their adulthood.
Principal Valencia Syder explained the aim of the reopening of the library, noting that every child would be allowed to borrow books from the library but would be required to submit a report on each.
“We aim for our students to become lovers of books and competent readers who not only read for fun but read to fully comprehend what is written. We hope that from being exposed to a variety of books they will transfer what is learnt and experienced to the writing and composing of effective compositions.”
“Each student will be allowed to borrow a book for a one-week period. The students from Grade One to Six will have to write book reports after reading their books. Confucius opined that one cannot open a book without learning something.”
She entreated the students to “appreciate and care the books and materials provided in the library. Reading is fun, enjoy it but at the same time learn from it. It was Maya Angelou who said that ‘any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him!’”
The library is fitted with a number of different sections including the math area, media and games sections, and is fitted with hundreds of books for the benefit of the Kindergarten to Sixth Grade students.
