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'More library hours needed'- Douglas Wheatley

The Library Services Department, which is situated on the second floor of the Malone Building on Flemming Street. The opening hours of the Library Services Department is given as: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m. Photo: VINO/File
As the Virgin Islands wrapped up Library Week 2015 observances, talk show host Douglas Wheatley called for more library hours especially on weekends to facilitate the working public. Photo: VINO/File
As the Virgin Islands wrapped up Library Week 2015 observances, talk show host Douglas Wheatley called for more library hours especially on weekends to facilitate the working public. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the Virgin Islands wrapped up Library Week 2015 observances, radio talk show host Douglas Wheatley called for more library hours to facilitate the working public.

Speaking on his radio programme, the 3D Show on ZBVI 780AM on April 24, 2015, Mr Wheatley suggested there should be more library hours on Saturdays as he said the libraries are often closed by midday even though the closing time is 1pm.

He also said with extended hours on weekdays more of the working public, especially those that get off work around 5:00pm and later, would be able to access the services of the department.

"By the time they get to the library the library closes at 7 o clock," Mr Wheatley said.

The opening hours of the Library Services Department is given as: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m.

"I know staff will not be happy with me because they say that means more extra time and they value their free time as well and their leisure time [but] I think that libraries are so important that the longer we can keep them open the better for the general public to have access," Mr Wheatley opined.

He also said he understands the 1974 Library Act will "probably" be ammended or updated sometime soon.

Library Services Week

This year’s Library Week was observed from April 19 to 24, 2015 under the theme, Creative Ways of Depicting Libraries: Through Art, Music and Storytelling

In his Library Week Message, Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, had encouraged residents to visit one of the five libraries located throughout the Territory namely on Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Road Town and East End.

Meanwhile, Chief Librarian at the Library Services Department, Suzanne Greenaway, had said this year’s activities will be centred on storytelling, music and art.

“Storytelling helps children to acquire vocabulary, develop good reading habits, and improve their listening and critical thinking skills. Music helps to improve our verbal memory, listening and critical thinking skills,” Mrs Greenaway said in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release.

 

13 Responses to “'More library hours needed'- Douglas Wheatley”

  • 911m (25/04/2015, 10:50) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    Things like this the photo minister should be paying attention to fro trying to do kedrick job and Mark own...When in fact he has failed at his own!!!
  • Plain (25/04/2015, 11:37) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    We do not simply need more library hours. The library should be housed in its own building, with easy access for all including handicap persons. Here is the only place where the library is housed in a building over a supermarket and the only access is a flight of stairs.@  Some of the sixteen million that is being used as an election gimmic to garner votes and daily inconveniencing the people should have been use to erect a decent building to house the library. It is high time for these men to start long term planning for this territory rather than scrambling here and there when an election is due. Life will bebetter and easier for all., government,opposition and the country as a whole.

  • wize up (25/04/2015, 12:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    that building belongs to some one of the M***ne family so that library is going no where; under this and stop the noise!!!!

  • positive action (25/04/2015, 13:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Finish the Noel Loyd building and put the library there.
    • Forbidden Truth (26/04/2015, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Huh. Noel building is private property. Why don't YOU approach the family and get permission to do what YOU seem to be suggesting that the Government to do?
  • (25/04/2015, 13:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love books, and am at home in any library or bookstore. Even though I am not a senior citizen (as yet), the steps to climb to visit the library are daunting for me, and no doubt keep many persons away from frequenting it.

    With the above in mind, it would be great if the Road Town Public Library could be relocated for easier access and greater usage by residents and visitors. I hope this is in the pipeline for the not too distant future.
  • yes (25/04/2015, 14:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Wheatley since you love run your mouth so much, WHY DONT YOU ASSIST, and that would be a great help, doing community service work...hmmmm
  • Educator (25/04/2015, 14:30) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes, Yes, Yes!

    1. WE NEED MORE HOURS.
    (Economically, some parents cannot maintain the internet. Neither can they purchase
    books very frequently)
    * remember that books are needed for enjoyment as well as research.
    * students have to choose between catching a bus in the afternoon or going to the library.
    * in this case, Saturdays will be convenient for them.
    * some young children cannot go to the library on their own and need parents along with them but by the time
    the parents leave work, the library is about to close.
    * some parents depend on Saturdays by the morning time is too short.

    2. RELOCATION NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.

    HELP!
    THIS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR IMPROVING LITERACY.
  • new (25/04/2015, 18:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All government building should be access to everyone .
  • bad boy (25/04/2015, 19:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK doggie boy due hours is no problem but due library need to be moved from there not everyone can access it due NDP gone and give away all due land for cruise dock what foolishness is dis due government could have build a buildind to house due library what a ting paying money to their cronies to rent due building wake up people
  • Yes (29/04/2015, 11:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    library need a lot of help. it need to be on the first floor. No higher and government really need to do something. The building them is not even strong for the weight of the books /material in it. Come on politicians get up and start doing something.


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