RESIDENTS of Vieux-Fort, especially students attending schools in its environs, are making a clarion call to the Ministry of Education to renovate the Vieux-Fort Public Library, which has been closed for five months, due to health and safety issues.
The Labour Department had demanded its closure after inspecting it several months ago.
Stephen Griffith of the Labour department, in an interview with this reporter earlier in the year, described the situation as urgent and in need of immediate attention.
However, despite the unpleasant situation at the library, the children’s section remains open, while the adult’s section remains closed – and with no sign of it being opened soon.
At a fleeting glance, one would get the impression that the library is in good condition, but just a peek inside the adult’s section tells a different story. Mould infestation, cracked walls, poor ventilation, a leaky roof and electrical issues are just some of the problems there.
This unpleasant situation has resulted in the librarians and patrons experiencing nausea and itching.
Over the years, a number of repair works were done to the library, but the shoddy work never lasted.
Kurshly Joseph, a student of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (Vieux-Fort Campus), said: “The situation is very frustrating. It appears like no one cares about us….”
He added that the library, which is less than 50 metres from the College, is a better place for them do study because it is more spacious than the college’s library.
Another student, requesting anonymity, said the situation “shows that the government has no interest in education… Only in the south such a situation would exist.”
Dr. Charity Francis, who also uses the library regularly, said: “The situation is of much inconvenience to me…”
She added that while the government is giving the impression that it is promoting education, its action is proving the opposite.
Robbie Williams, a resident of Vieux-Fort, said the situation needs urgent attention, adding that government procrastination in dealing with the problem will affect the entire community.
Work on the library was expected to commence several months ago, but so far nothing has been done to the building.
A source in the Ministry of Education told this reporter that the ministry does not see the need to renovate the Vieux-Fort Public Library as a priority.
A few months ago, an alternative building was identified by the librarians in Vieux-Fort to house the library, but nothing has been done to commence the relocation of the mould infested building.
Efforts to reach the director of Library Services, Cynthia Mc Farlane, proved futile up to press time.