Launching of the Read-A-Thon programme: From left, Mrs Lornette Manners, Hon Livingston Herbert and Ms Merle Brookes.

Charlestown Nevis (March 30, 2004) -- Junior Minister with responsibility for Education and Library Services in the Nevis Island Administration, the Hon Mr Livingston Herbert, Tuesday morning launched the Nevis Public Library Services’ Read-A-Thon programme, with a call to Nevisians to develop a culture of reading.

 

“For all of us, reading is absolutely important, just as we need water to sustain life, we have to read, if we are to gain knowledge,” observed Mr Herbert. “That is very important, and I want you to remember this: You have to read, and those of us who read, we are able to develop ourselves. And so, when you read, you too will be able to develop yourselves.”

 

The Read-A-Thon started shortly after 9:30 a.m. and was expected to go up to 5:00 p.m. In attendance were fourth graders from the Charlestown Primary and the Charlestown Preparatory schools. The Minister was supposed to do the first reading, but requested for protocol to be changed to allow a student read first, and the honour went to Master Gian Farrel, of Charlestown Preparatory.

 

The Minister told the attentive students who were accompanied by their class teachers, that by reading they would learn of distant lands, cultures, sports, history and a host of other subjects. Also in attendance were the Acting Principal Education Officer, Mrs Lornette Manners and Chief Librarian, Mrs Sonita Daniel.

 

Paying attention: Pupils at the Read-A-Thon programme

“And so it is important that as young people you develop the habit of reading, because once you can develop that habit of reading, certainly the chances are you can go very far in this world,” said Mr Herbert. He also told them to encourage their siblings and their parents to read, saying that, “together you will develop a family habit of reading.”

 

Mr Herbert gave credit to the staff at the Nevis Public Library, pointing out that they have initiated a number of programmes aimed at encouraging Nevisians to read. Recalling that it is the library’s card sign-up month, he requested the children to sign up and to ensure that they read at least one book per month.

 

According to the co-ordinator of the Read-A-Thon programme, Ms Merle Brookes, the Nevis Public Library Service has designated the month of March as Library Card Sign-Up Month, and that the event was part of their effort to increase the library’s active membership.

 

Read-A-Thon co-ordinator, Ms Merle Brookes, introduces the first reader, Master Gian Farrel.

“Today’s Read-A-Thon is an effort to promote reading in our society,” noted Ms Brookes. “We have invited well known persons in the community, starting with the Minister, followed by the Acting Principal Education Officer (Mrs Lornette Manners), who will read from their childhood favourites and interact with the children and encourage them to make reading a daily habit, as the slogan says ‘Reading is Fundamental’.”