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Re-establishing a public library in Road Town ‘a priority for us’- Premier Wheatley

- said he doesn’t have a timeline, but it will be before the end of the current administration
It has been since May 2016, under the then National Democratic Party (NDP), and then Education Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), that the public library in Road Town closed its doors and has not reopened to this day, nearly 10 years later. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at the community library in East End in February 2024. Left is Chief Librarian Suzanne S. Greenaway. Photo: GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at the community library in East End in February 2024. Left is Chief Librarian Suzanne S. Greenaway. Photo: GIS
The overwhelming response of Virgin Islands’ residents to MV Logos Hope spoke volumes to the need for a well-stocked public library in Road Town. Photo: VINO/File
The overwhelming response of Virgin Islands’ residents to MV Logos Hope spoke volumes to the need for a well-stocked public library in Road Town. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It has been since May 2016, under the then National Democratic Party (NDP), and then Education Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), that the public library in Road Town closed its doors and has not reopened to this day, nearly 10 years later.

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has, however, promised to rectify this worrying and unacceptable situation.

Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of the inaugural arrival of the world’s largest floating book fair, MV Logos Hope, on October 24, 2025, Premier Wheatley acknowledged that there has not been a public library in Road Town for a number of years, due to various setbacks but said his government sees the re-establishing of a public library in Road Town as a priority.

Public library in RT a priority for VIP gov’t- Premier

“We’re actively working towards it and, of course, that’s the Minister of Education’s subject, but I know, of course, libraries are high on her priority list, not just libraries but literacy and working together to see if we can re-establish the library in Road Town.

“I don’t have a timeline right now, but of course, it’s a priority for us before this administration closes,” Premier Wheatley stated.

In January 2019, there were reports about housing the public library at the old Clarence Thomas Building; however, this never came to pass, and the NDP was subsequently voted out of office.

Meanwhile, the overwhelming response of Virgin Islands’ residents to MV Logos Hope spoke volumes to the need for a well-stocked public library in Road Town.

There is a small community library in East End on Tortola.

23 Responses to “Re-establishing a public library in Road Town ‘a priority for us’- Premier Wheatley”

  • BuzzBvi (29/10/2025, 13:08) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Oh no. He made it a PRIORITY. Oh no. NO. no. no.

    A disaster. Please not a PRIORITY. What about the all the other PRIORITIES from 8 years ago that did not even start yet.

    This is a disaster for the library.

    Bring back the Ship!!!!!!! Who let it leave!

    We needed HOPE.

    Where is HOPE!!

    Why did you have to make it a PRIORITY?? You killed it.
  • smh (29/10/2025, 13:14) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clown soup yall does be on mehson. Your brain couldnt come up with that years ago?
  • Outsider (29/10/2025, 13:33) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    As a non-belonger, it's not for me to tell Virgin Islanders how to run their territory. But I do have children born here. And I think it is disgraceful that your government hasn't bothered to establish a library these past 9 years. Does your government care about your children? In not having a library for a timeframe that looks likely to be well over a decade, what kind of a third world standard is your government following?
  • And change of chief librarian (29/10/2025, 14:18) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    She contributed to the library seem as if she does not have vision...we need someone with a new vision
    • @And change of chief librarian ( (29/10/2025, 18:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      She cannot do what she has no money for. Tell our Premier to get his priorities right. We heard the victimization in your voice but hey we preaching Independence
  • BRAD BOYNES (29/10/2025, 16:21) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shame.Shame. Shame. A darn shame. No excuse for this not having a well run and managed public library, none absolutely.
  • Norris Turnbull (29/10/2025, 16:24) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get Marian Webster or Google the word Priority and study the meaning because all of a sudden everything is a dam priority.
  • HMMM (29/10/2025, 17:28) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    So many priorities, PleaSe. just start one and you may get it finish, too much bla bla..
  • nation (29/10/2025, 17:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    So it took a floating boat with books... mmm ...okay
  • one eye rooster (29/10/2025, 17:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    So shamful
  • Maun (29/10/2025, 18:16) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope they put it in a better location. Up those stairs was horrible.
  • HERE WE GO AGAIN (29/10/2025, 19:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    THIS IS WHERE " RENTALS " COMES INTO PLAY , / EVERYTHING IS SSID TO BE A PRIORITY , BUT WE ALL KNOW TALK IS CHEAP , A LOT OF BUILDINGS WERE SAID TO BE A PRIORITY AND THEY ARE STILL UNDER REPAIRS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CONTRACTORS EITHER STRIKE OR ON SICK LEAVE , MEANWHILE WE SQUANDERING TAXPAYERS MONEY ON " RENTALS " AND NOTHING SPENT ON THE " INFRASTRUCTURES " BUT THEM BIG BOYZ DOUBLING THEIR SALARIES , AND JUMPING . ON FLIGHTS ALL OVER THE GLOBE , EVEN THE 3RD DISTRICT EMPEROR EXPRESSING HOW HE IS ENJOYING THAT LUXURY NOW , THE SAME LUXURY HE ONCE CRITICIZED BEFORE HE BOUNCED OVER AND JOINED THE RAT RACE GAME OF EXPLOITATION OF OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY , AND HE AND MASTER WEATIE HAS BECOME BUDDIES NOW , / AND WILL DEFEND HIS NEW MASTER WITH HIS LIFE , THE " BIG youth " GOT HE UNDER MANNERS .
    • To HWGA (30/10/2025, 08:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      FYI When you ALL CAPS a long comment, it doesn’t emphasize what you’re saying. It does make it harder to read.
  • Mr. Premier, ah beg (29/10/2025, 19:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    While you are prioritizing, please make the d@mn roads on the western side of the island a priority. We are people too and are sooooooooooooo fed up of driving on those darn rickety roads EVERYDAY that are also FILLED with potholes so deep, good samaritans have to fill them with rocks. It is in the years now that the motoring public on the west side is SUFFERING! LITERALLY SUFFERING.

    And what is insulting is the “urgent need” to place concrete edging along miles of the SCB road that is sooooooooo not necessary. Something is wrong with our priorities. I swear!
  • ausar (30/10/2025, 04:16) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    That Road Town location was horrible!

    Pier Park location, please!
  • So said Joe smow (30/10/2025, 06:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE MONEY THAT WAS GIVEN TO VYBZ KARTEWHO COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR A NEW LIBRARY. BUT VYBZ KARTEWHO WAS MORE OF A PRIORITY.
  • Mario Broadbelt (30/10/2025, 06:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hasn't you people realize that this Premier is a jokey opportunist? Wake to hell up.
  • I suggest… (30/10/2025, 07:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    …that VINO run cartoons instead of these stories from the Premier (riddled with lies). He is no longer fooling anyone.
  • Cab (30/10/2025, 07:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The never to be finished repair of the old Central Administration Building on WC1 would be a good location for a ground floor library. Plenty of space to park vehicles and walking distance to the next library ship to visit the BVI.
  • Stealth (30/10/2025, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “ Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of the inaugural arrival of the world’s largest floating book fair, MV Logos Hope, on October 24, 2025, Premier Wheatley acknowledged that there has not been a public library in Road Town for a number of years, due to various setbacks but said his government sees the re-establishing of a public library in Road Town as a priority.” It is clear as mud that it is not a top priority, for the Premier cannot give the plan of action with timeline when the library will be complete and useable. This is a lack of urgency, importance, gross negligence, poor planning, etc. Shameful, embarrassing!

    Moreover, “ “We’re actively working towards it and, of course, that’s the Minister of Education’s subject, but I know, of course, libraries are high on her priority list, not just libraries but literacy and working together to see if we can re-establish the library in Road Town.” Simple ?? Is not Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley (R-7), leader of government business, Minister of Financ, etc.????? Lead from the front, sharing the glory, shouldering the blows for things you do and for things you should have done but didn’t do.
  • WOW (30/10/2025, 08:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If piss me off every time a issue is raised only then we hear piss talk about how far away we are about things about to happen. So sick the money you Parillon the stupid concerts you can't give us an update about Enpenditures come on boy we not kindergarten
  • Tired (30/10/2025, 09:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is obvious that we continue to be fed with what our leaders realise we want to hear, but that is just paying lip service and disappointing us over and again.

    A proper library should have been a priority for nearly a decade now. Putting one on the second floor of a building with limited access for persons with disability issues and the elderly was a joke in itself; expecting people to go all the way to the eastern end of the island to access that one that has more staff members tripping over each other than what visitors is yet another joke.

    It's about time we get real - electronic books cannot replace a decently stocked central library and we are doing everyone who lives here a disservice by not catering to their needs with a centrally located library. It is a priority, a necessity and it is direly needed.

    No political ploys, please.


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