Libraries and literacy as an integral part of community building will be highlighted when the Territory observes Library Week 2016.

The week will be observed from April 17 through 23 under the theme, “Libraries and Literacy: An Integral Part of Building Communities.”

Chief Librarian, Ms. Suzanne Greenaway said that the week’s activities are aimed towards the Territory’s youth in order to foster an appreciation for libraries, promote reading, advance literacy, and highlight the department’s services to the community.

Ms. Greenaway said, “Libraries play an integral role in creating literate environments and promoting literacy. The aim of the week is to reiterate that fact through several activities which will involve students of different ages from public and private schools, members of the public and library staff.”

Ms. Greenaway also added that two of the main activities for this year’s celebration are the essay competition and the story time event in the Noel Lloyd Park.

Primary school students were invited to participate in an essay competition with the theme: “Why Libraries Are Important To Me.” The winners of the competition will be announced on Friday, April 22.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn will declare the week open on Sunday, April 17 via a radio and video message.The department will also host its annual church service at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m.

The Public Library Services Department has included career day presentations, library resources interactive drama presentations and book hunts in collaboration with a number of public and private schools throughout the Territory. The Road Town Public Library will have an Open House on Friday, April 22, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Sister Islands’ libraries will also host an Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The week’s activities will conclude with the Story Time event in the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with activities including a book sale, storytelling by various community groups, face painting, meet and greet with local authors, poetry readings by Virgin Islands Callaloo Poets, and a display representing World Book and Copyright Day.

The public is encouraged to support the week’s activities by participating in the events.

Library Week was implemented in order to create awareness of the value of a public library and continue to foster the love for reading. The department has library branches in Road Town, Virgin Gorda, East End, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke.

For more information, persons should contact the Library Services Department at telephone 468-3701 ext. 4931 or 4932.