Community Library opened
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from May 1976.
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It was a very friendly gathering with many participants.
The excellent attendantce at the ceremony included the Hon. W.W. Conolly, O.B.E., J.P. Member of Executive Council and Mrs. Conolly, Chief Education Oficer, Heads of Civil Service Departments, representatives of NCSS organisations and local residents.
Mr. Richard Arch, Chairman of the N.C.S.S. welcomed all who were present and thanked them for showing their interest in the project, expressing the hope that the community would benefit greatly from this new facility offered to them.
Mr. Wm. McGee spoke on "The Value of a Community Library" laying emphasis on the last two words. i.e. "community" where people come together, and "library" - a collection of the thoughts and ideas of mankind, and stressing the importance of the interaction between the people and the ideas contained in the books.
He asserted that a library is a "power house" of ideas which should grow with the people. "If in a year's time we come back and find a quiet room with books in it, the project will have failed, but if we meet a room full of activity and noise, of people interacting with books and each other, then our goal will have been achieved", he said.
Mr. McGee also expressed the hope that activities will grow out of the library such as adult discussion groups, storytimes, puppet theatre etc.
His Excellency then received gifts of books from the following: Mr. and Mrs. Billy Adam, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Arch, Mrs. Carolyn Bodden, Mr. and Mrs. George Bodden, Miss Jetta Bodden, Mr. Ralph Coatsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Len Cohen, Mrs. Carmen Conolly, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Conolly, Mrs. Gwelda Conolly, Mrs. Iona Conolly, Miss Margaret Conolly, the Hon.and Mrs. W.W. Conolly, C.I. Conservation Association, The Drama Society, Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Dunlop, Hon. and Mrs. B.O. Ebanks, Miss Farrell, Mrs. Ariel Forbes, the Garden Club, the Girls' Brigade, Master Stephan Gordon, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hurlston, the Humane Society, Inner Wheel, the Kiwanis Club, Miss Uleen Johnson, Hon. and Mrs. V.G. Johnson, the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, Miss Marva McLaughlin, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McGee and two daughters, Dr. and Mrs. H.M. McGladdery, Mrs. Olive Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Digby Morton, the Northwester Co., Mrs. Iva Panton, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Pierson, the Public Library, Geoge Town., Mrs. Evangelyn Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. Kent Rankin, the Red Cross Society, Miss W. Rivero, Mrs. Heather Seales, Miss Lucille Seymour, Mr. and Mrs. U. Spence, Mr. and Mrs. B. Steinkraus, Miss Cynthia Sterling, Miss. P. Tanjutco, Hon. and Mrs. G.E. Waddinton, Mr. Trevor Watler, Mrs. Trevor Watler and daughter, Mrs. Marilyn Wilson, Mrs. Mary Woodward and the Caymanian Compass Mr. L.A. Pierson, in making a donation of books in his own field of accountancy, offered his services to any person in the district who may be interested in pursuing studies in this area.
Mr. Budd Gordon Member of the. Library committee, in moving the Vote of Thanks, mentioned especially Mr. Ludlow Buckeridge of East End, a member of the Jaycees, who had put up and painted extra shelving to make the library ready for opening; the Public Works Dept. for renovation of the premises; Mrs. Marie Rankine and her two sons who had prepared the books previously made available from the Public Library in George Town and as a gift from the Children's Corner Fund opened by the late Mr. Lee Funk, and all who had made donations of books on this occasion.
After a few words of encouragement to those in the District to make good use of the library for enjoyment, edicifaction, education and information, His Excellency proceeded to the Library. The key was presented by Mrs. Marie Rankine, the Librarian, the door opened with due ceremony, the name board nailed up by Mr. George Seymour
The library will be open on Wednesdays from 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 5 to 6 p.m. A borrowing charge of 5 cents per book per week.
