The Dominica Public Library will observe Library Week 2012 under the theme ‘Building Communities at your Library’ from May 14th-18th.
The week of activities will celebrate the contribution of libraries in building societies, promote library use and encourage active community participation to improve reading.
Petter Saint-Jean, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development will deliver the feature address at the opening ceremony at the Marigot Branch Library on Monday to start off the programme of activities which includes training in information skills, community outreach, literacy activities, an exhibition and education advising.
Library officials will visit the State Prison on Tuesday for a reading session with inmates and host an open day on Wednesday when university officials will hold an education advising session for people interested in pursuing university studies.
Library users will also be introduced to the new online data system, KOHA, which allows readers to access their library records online as well as reading lists and other member information.
Koha is a web-based software which includes features such as a catalog facility, a serial system for magazines and newspapers and a circulation and borrower online manager.
The public library will host Library Week activities at the Roseau, Portsmouth and Marigot branch libraries and at Grand Bay, and the Documentation Centre. Farmers, extension officers and students will also be introduced to available library resources at the Agriculture Library.
Other activities include an elocution contest at the Portsmouth Secondary School, Visits to Pre-Schools, and Children Fun Time at the Roseau Public Library on Friday May 18th.
More Dominicans need to read–and enjoy reading. Without that, we’ll be left behind as the rest of the world moves forward. The library in town is not huge, but it has a good amount to start with.
It is a great thing that the library is doing,. The library is a means of keeping children off the streets. I am looking forward to the day when the Roseau Library will be upgraded in appearance.