Caribbean librarian honoured for contribution to literacy

Title: Library recognises literacy and financial contributors
Date published: Thursday, 21 November 2013
Source: The Daily Herald
URL: http://thedailyherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44251:library-recognises-literacy-and-financial-contributors-&catid=1:islands-news&Itemid=54

Abstract:
The article reports on what appears to be Philipsburg Jubilee Library's 90th anniversary celebrations awards ceremony. At this event, retired Caribbean librarian, Blanca Hodge, was honoured for her leadership at Philipsburg Jubilee Library and contribution to literacy. Others awarded at the event included supporters and regular users of the library including St. Maarten Museum Director Elsje Bosch.

Library Director, Monique Alberts is reported as providing attendees at the awards ceremony with a brief history of the library from its opening on November 23, 1923 to the present. The article also reports the name of other important invitees in attendance.

Excerpt:

PHILIPSBURG--Retired Philipsburg Jubilee Library head Blanca Hodge, who made the library's slogan "Reading is FUNdemental" popular, has proven that literacy is a family concern. She and her grandson Yshmael Marcelle were honoured by the library on Thursday evening for their commitment to literacy.

They were among several awardees at the recognition ceremony that kicked started the library's 90th anniversary celebrations.

Hodge, represented by her daughter Moira Marcelle-Hodge, received the 2013 President's Award. She was selected by Library President Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling for her "unflinching commitment to literacy" in St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean. Hodge made the library more than a place to read books and helped to develop the library from its humble beginnings on Back Street to the larger building it occupies now, Schaminee-Ringeling said.

Urban Jamaican secondary school gets new library/media centre

Author: Douglas McIntosh

Title: Campion Gets New Library/Media Centre
Date published:  25 October 2013
Source: Jamaica Information Service
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-100/35422


Abstract:

This article announces the newly constructed library/media centre at an urban Jamaican secondary school. Mentioned in the article is the naming of the facility, some details of the infrastructure, the amount donated to construct it and the principal contributors to the construction project. The reporter also reports on the formal launch of the facility and the speeches by the Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, Chairman of the Vision 2020 Campaign, under which the Centre’s development was carried out, Andrew Mahfood, and a representative from the family after which the facility was named. Both Mahfood and Adam Stewart who spoke on behalf of the family are reported as providing their comments about what they envision the new library will do for the school. Also reported are speeches from the Chairman of Campion’s Board, Anton Thompson, and the principal, Grace Baston, giving their appreciation for the facility and what they envision it will do for the students and the school.


Excerpt:

Campion College’s academic programme for its 1,450 enrolled students has been significantly strengthened by a newly built library/media centre at the institution’s Old Hope Road campus, in St. Andrew.

The facility, the Jonathan Stewart Library Media Centre, is named in honour of the late Campion College alumnus and son of hotelier and business mogul, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.
Construction of the centre, which has been outfitted with a range of state-of-the-art information technology solutions and applications, was undertaken at a cost of US$1.4 million, of which Mr. Stewart’s family donated some US$350,000.

The remaining sum, inclusive of US$200,000 in gifts, was raised through various donations and fund-raising efforts by past students and friends of the school.

The Caribbean Genealogy Library on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Author: Gerald Singer
Title: Caribbean Genealogy Library
Date published: October 21, 2013
Source: Life on St. John USVI/ St. John Life
URL: http://seestjohn.com/st_john_life/life-on-st-john/caribbean-genealogy-library/

Abstract:
This article or post reports on the Caribbean Genealogy Library, a library in the US Virgin Islands. The post also declares its location and outlines the scope of its collection.

Excerpt:

The Caribbean Genealogy Library is a little known library on St.Thomas that is a veritable treasure trove of information for those interested in genealogical studies as well as Caribbean history. The Library is located at Al Cohens Plaza, next to Mango Tango Art Gallery, across from Randys Restaurant, on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Just a 10 minute ride by taxi from the WICO cruise ship dock.

The library features rare books, maps, newspapers, & magazines, Danish West Indies/US Virgin, Islands census records, Virgin Islands Church Records, US National Archives M1883 & M1884 microfilms, Virgin Islands Funeral Booklets, Ancestry.com, Family History Library affiliate library, Caribbean Jewish family genealogies and a St. Thomas Graphics publications collection.