Residents of Vieux-Fort are concerned about the inordinate length of time the Vieux-Fort Public Library is taking to be reopened.
The library was closed since 2018 due to occupational and health issues.
Renovated work commenced on the building earlier this year but has not been completed.
Even while the library was being used by patrons, it was riddled with a myriad of problems such as a leaky roof, cracked walls and broken tiles. Whenever it rains heavily it created much discomfort for library users and employees alike.
The bottom floor of the building which once housed the maintenance department of the Vieux-Fort South Constituency Council was a haven for rats.
The strident complaints of residents at the time to have the building renovated fell on death ears.
Kursly James, a former student of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (South) said the library was of much help to him while he was a student.
He said he is patiently awaiting its renovation to continue using it.
“It’s high time the library be renovated. It was of use to many students,” James said, adding that it is sad the library is taking so long to be renovated.
Anthony Goodman, a former employee of the Vieux-Fort South Constituency Council said it hurts him to see the library still under renovation after so many years.
He recalled the time when he used to see students from various schools in Vieux-Fort making use of the library.
“It’s a shame on the part of the authority… The library should be renovated a long time ago,” Goodman said.
According to him, the plight of the residents of Vieux-Fort, are not taken seriously by the authority.
Another resident of Vieux-Fort said: “That’s how we are usually treated in Vieux-Fort.”
According to the resident, he does not expect the building to be renovated soon.
The library was also used by medical students.