As part of the activities for Culture and Tourism Month, being celebrated under the theme: 'Rooted in Culture, Growing through Tourism,' the Department of Culture, in collaboration with the Public Library Service, will be introducing book clubs on Tortola, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda. Photo: Internet Source/File

All of the book clubs will focus on the works of local authors and provide a great opportunity for persons to network, share insights and simply enjoy a good book. Photo: Office of the Premier/File

The Virgin Islands' appetite for reading was demonstrated with the visit of the world's largest floating book fair, Logos Hope, in October. Photo: VINO

Deputy Director of Culture, Ms Anne A. Lennard, pointed out that all of the book clubs will focus on the works of local authors and provide a great opportunity for persons to network, share insights and simply enjoy a good book.

The goals of the clubs include: 

1) to help members and the wider community gain a deeper appreciation of local authors and their work; 

2) To enhance the reading experience for members;

3) To help build relationships with others who have a shared interest of reading; and

4) To explore the resources and collections of the Virgin Gorda Community Library.

Book by late Nurse Hildegarde Flax Shaw included

Ms Lennard, according to a press release from the Government Information Service (GIS), said the Department of Culture is excited to announce the launch of the newest book club in Virgin Gorda, which already has a total of ten (10) registered members. The theme for this club is "Bringing Readers together, Supporting Authors, One Story at a Time." The first book to be studied will be that of the Late Nurse Hildegarde Flax Shaw, “Sharing a Fly Wing (A Memoir of Growing Up on Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands)”. 

“In her writing debut, the author aims to capture the imagination of her readers by drawing them back into the idyllic days of her childhood, by having them walk unpaved, moonlit roads with her and perhaps sit in class with her in a dilapidated one-room schoolhouse,” Ms Lennard referenced. “She reminisces about the bonds of family and friends and her mother's lifelong lesson to share everything, even if it were as small as a ' fly wing'."

Supporting 'Lifelong learning'

The Deputy Director of Culture said the Department is looking forward to great things coming out of these book clubs. She expressed gratitude for the support of the Public Library Service in this venture.

Ms Suzanne Greenaway, Chief Librarian, said: "The Public Library is happy to reintroduce a Book Club in Virgin Gorda in collaboration with the Department of Culture. This book club is a way to share different perspectives of local literary works, build literacy, share knowledge, and engage in healthy discussions.”

According to Ms Greenaway, these book clubs also support the Public Library's role to provide lifelong learning and cultural development of individuals, foster a love of reading, and provide information about the wide repertoire of local literature.

The Virgin Islands' appetite for reading was demonstrated with the visit of the world's largest floating book fair, Logos Hope, in October.