The second fire in just days at the Roseau Public Library has once again drawn attention to the precarious state of Dominica’s historic buildings.
SHAPE, The Society for Historic Architectural Preservation and Enhancement, has made a call for the building’s restoration and preservation and is providing a platform for Dominicans to make their opinions heard.
“SHAPE calls for the rehabilitation of the Roseau Library and its surroundings as a multi-purpose space for arts and culture, and that its green space should be maintained and respected as a place for the public to enjoy,” the organization states in a release. “The library is of significant historic and architectural significance dating back to 1906, and the structure and its grounds have served as a quiet place for learning and inspiration to generations of Dominicans. In the continued congestion of Roseau, the preservation of this site is of even greater necessity.”
SHAPE is providing a platform to let Dominicans have their voices heard on the issue of the library and is inviting those who want to see the site preserved to sign the appeal at www.change.org/p/
“It is our hope that public opinion may inform government decisions, and we can work together for an optimal outcome,” the released stated.
The Roseau Public Library dates back over one hundred years. In 1906, it was constructed with a grant of £1500 from the Scottish-American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie and designed by the administrator, Sir Hesketh Bell. Carnegie’s wealth built 2,509 public libraries throughout the world; five were in the Caribbean, of which one is in Dominica. The land served as a parade ground for troops at Fort Young in 1770s, and after the troops left in the 1850s, it became the first public gardens on the island in the 1860s. The building has weathered numerous hurricanes including Hurricane David in 1979, after which it was swiftly restored.
The future of the site is currently undecided, although there have been talks of demolition to make space for a new structure.
“SHAPE recognises that the Roseau Public Library has become too small for 21st-century demands,” a SHAPE representative said, “but we hope that a new space will be selected for the new library so as to preserve the old library building and green space.”
SHAPE invites interested persons to contact the organization by following @SHAPEDomnik on Facebook or emailing the group at [email protected] .
“Every voice counts!” the organization contends.
Our passport money was invested into apartments for labour supporter and into labour friendly Hotel businesses like G. Nassief, Raphael, Lawrence, etc. The state will never ever see a cent of this money again! But for library they have no money…!!!
The current Government is not interested in preservation of culture and historical sites. Its clear after the tearing down of the Jean Rhyse building (former Venas Guest House) and chopping down of a bearing mango tree in the middle of a barren city, they have absolutely no respect for anything that speaks of the history of the island. The Library will be burnt little by little, until it is no more. If they were interested in preserving the building something would have been done already! Shame Shame Shame on us!!
Interesting history. But it’s the contents that matter most. Perhaps it’s time for free online book access island wide.
By all means, a reconstruction and museum would also be good both for residents and tourists.
We lived 6 years in Calibishie and owned a car. And had library cards. But trips to and from were arduous and the selection terribly dated and limited.
Dominica needs a library. I hope it had insurance.
“SHAPE is providing a platform to let Dominicans have their voices heard on the issue of the library and is inviting those who want to see the site preserved to sign the appeal…”
Although I am as passionate as anyone to seeing the building preserved. However, on signing my name I then get a request to “chip in”. I notice that many have chipped in amounts from $18 to $135 (I assume US$).
I feel strongly that SHAPE’s appeal for financial contributions is a negative step, and all the more so at this point in time when most of us are struggling to make ends meet.
Surely the cost restoration is the responsibility of the government.
“Surely the cost restoration is the responsibility of the government.”
Whether that’s the case or not, there’s nothing wrong and everything right with individuals voluntarily contributing to restore something they value.
Steve, You will note that SHAPE has belatedly made the following amendment:
SHAPE IS NOT RECEIVING FUNDS. All donations go to change.org to “boost the visibility”of this appeal on their site. DONATIONS NOT NECESSARY!
Unfortunately, many subscribers were under the impression that they were donating to the restoration of the library, whereas in fact they were donation to “change.org”.
Security/Safety, Health, Education, a vibrant Economy should be the foremost priorities of any government. Too many ministries and edifices are allowed to fall in a sorry state of disrepair and rottenness. Hospitals, health centers, police stations, roads, bridges, to name a few, have sadly become victims of government’s negligence. Lack of foresight, discernment and perspicacity by Mr. Skerrit and his cabinet of loose cannons is mostly responsible for the decrepit state of affairs in the country.
Dominica needs a government that will promote fairness, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, compassion for all despite one’s political affiliation.
The present regime is broken beyond repair. This is an Administration that exports the national birds, teargases seeping communities where babies and elderly people, reside, physically assaults and wrongfully arrests law abiding parliamentarians, etcetera. The present state of affairs is untenable. Something has to give.
The old library should be restored and made into a museum to Dominican history with all available pictures through the years. A new modern library should be constructed nearby. It would be a shame to demolish this building due to its historic significance.
Best of luck, SHAPE but this administration is neither interested in education nor preserving our historical/ environmental heritage.
I have already made a financial contribution and implore others to do likewise.
For the love of this blessed land, let’s get it done!!
HOTEP!