Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) defends new Chaguanas Public Library

Author: ZARA BRIDGEMOHAN GRANT

Title: LATT: Give library to people of Central
Source: Trinidad and Tobago Guardian
Date published: Sunday, July 20 2014
URL: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,197897.html


Abstract:
The article reports on a statement by the Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) against the Government of Trinidad and Tobago using the new Chaguanas Public Library completed facility for a Judicial Complex. The article reports that the reconfiguration of the Chaguanas Library  into a Judicial Complex was first hinted at by Chaguanas Mayor Gopual Boodan at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce on June 24. At that event, Boodan revealed that a Cabinet appointed team was convened on the suggestion by the Chaguanas Lawyers’ Association, the Chamber and other organisations for the transformation of the still under construction Chaguanas library into that of a Judicial Complex. Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie further confirmed the plan, further revealing that the new Chaguanas Public Library is to be re-purposed into the Judicial Complex to deal with a backlog of 7,000 cases before the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court. It is within this context that the article reports LATT's arguments against such plans as well as excerpts of its statements in favour of the new library facility remaining as a facility for public library service.

Excerpt:

The Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) is calling on Government, and other stakeholders, to have the new Chaguanas Public Library completed and delivered to the people of central Trinidad and not use it for a Judicial Complex.

LATT, in a full page advertisement in Friday’s newspaper said the library building at Railway Road, Chaguanas has been in the works over 17 years and while it understood the need for accommodation for the judiciary, the public library service ought not to bear the backlash of any such inadequacy.