Good day to all the people of these beautiful British Virgin Islands. It seems like every week, we mark something integral to the advancement of these Virgin Islands. This week is no different as the Ministry of Education and Culture joins the Department of Library Services to celebrate Library Week 2009. This week is one of the most integral weeks of observances to the advancement of our Territory because this week promotes reading and the use of library services and therefore we are promoting education and learning.

It is tempting to think that Library Week is an observance for school-aged children, but learning and the library services do not begin or end in school. In fact, it is probably when our formal school days have ended that we learn more. Therefore, Library Week is a week where we can all feel apart. It is for the young and the young at heart, it is for the parents as much as it is for the child, it is for the doctor as much as it is for the patient and it is for the teacher as much as it is for the student. Books may differ in ideologies and messages; but they do not discriminate based on age. If you can read, then you can learn.

From April 19 to April 25 we will celebrate Library Week, under the theme, “An open book opens minds and opens doors”. This theme is quite appropriate and it is true. Many people believe that in order for learning to take place, an individual must first have an open mind. Speaking as a teacher, an open mind is always a potent tool for learning, but in some cases, in small communities like ours, the book traditionally served as a bridge to the international world, it was the book that opened our minds to learn more. Children today may hear their parents talk about their childhood days where reading was an integral part of the day. Reading was used for education as it was used for escape.

Books like the Hardy Boys series and the Anansi stories are still as exciting today as they were years ago and can still be found in the libraries across the Territory. I also encourage you the residents of the Virgin Islands to purchase and read some of the books written by local authors. New books like Dido’s Prize by Eugenia O’Neal and old favorites like From Dusk till Dawn by Hugo Vanterpool are great books to use for historical references as well as fictional tales that you can use to get a glimpse of life in the Virgin Islands years ago. 

Whatever kind of book you read, it is just important that you are reading because books do open our minds to the world and once our mind is open, then open doors are sure to follow.

In this vein, there are new doors soon to be opened to the people of the Virgin Islands. Recently, the ministry secured the third floor of the Malone Building, where the library is located. In a short while, members of the public will enjoy two floors of books, resource materials and information displays that will assist the excellent services already delivered to the public by the Chief Librarian, Ms. Susan Greenaway and her staff. In addition, there will be the installation of an elevator to ensure access to those with physical disabilities among others.

I encourage the public to take full advantage of the services that the library offers now and the services that the library will offer in the future. Visit the libraries on Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Tortola whenever you can and use the resources and books to open your mind and open the doors to your life.

The expansion of the library is in keeping with Government’s objective to improve facilities and services that we render to the public to better serve the people of the Territory. As with Education, I intend to do all that I can to take the library services from “good to great” and this week will begin the transformation to a modern and thorough library service as we showcase our strengths during Library Week.

Throughout the week I look forward to visiting with students, teachers and senior citizens and I especially look forward to helping the Library launch its senior citizens’ programme on Wednesday. Let me now take this time to invite the entire Territory to join me and the ministry at the Abraham Leonard Community Centre for the launch of the senior citizens’ outreach programme at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday 22nd April. It is very important that we continue to engage our senior citizens in activities that will keep their minds sharp, the Library Services is taking the lead in this initiative and I am happy to be a part of this activity.

In addition, there are many exciting activities planed for Library Week like Library Career Day tomorrow where we will challenge students across the Territory to see themselves as librarians. Also on Wednesday the Virgin Gorda community will launch a book club, with the first book being Dreams from my Father: a Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. The choice of this book further exemplifies how reading can inspire people and I hope that everyone who reads the book will feel the inspiration that led Obama to become president of the United States. The week will end with a cultural showcase at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Friday, while on Saturday fathers will read to children during Dads’ Story Time at 10:30 a.m. at the Road Town Library. I hope you can come out and join the events as we celebrate Library Week 2009.

I end with a few modified words from the popular children’s books ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go’ by Dr. Seuss,
People of the Virgin Islands, you have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re not on your own, but you know what you know.
And YOU are the person who’ll decide where to go.

This week we encourage you to explore Library Week
In the pages of a book there is so much to seek
For one hour this week I invite you to pause, just to take a look
You’ll be surprised what you can find in the pages of a book.

I now declare every book in the Territory and Library Week open! Thank you for listening and may the great God of the Universe continue to bless these Virgin Islands.