The Library Services Department (LSD) as part of its Library Week activities is holding a two-day workshop for librarians at the Training Division Conference Room on April 23 and 25.
      The workshop will focus on career paths available for librarians and the changing role of libraries in the 21st century. At the Opening Ceremony Private Secretary, Ms. Bernadine Louis, delivered the Minister of Education and Culture the Hon. Andrew Fahie's remarks since he was not able to attend the ceremony. ‘Through the efforts of a number of persons over the years our BVI library system has attempted to meet the educational, informational and cultural needs of the community for some 50 plus years. That is something that we should all be proud of and give them the recognition that they deserve,' said the Minister's remarks.
      He added, ‘The Ministry is extremely proud of the Library Services Department and we stand ready and willing to support their various initiatives. Libraries are legacies to each generation, offering the heritage from the past and the promise of the future.'
     Acting Chief Librarian Susan Greenaway said at the Opening Ceremony that today's libraries have become more than educational institutions as they are also social institutions. 'We provide social information to meet the needs of our clientele as we live in this environment.'
     The objectives of Library Week are:
     § To improve literacy;
     § To encourage more persons to join the library and rediscover reading;
     § To promote the services that the library presently offers which include the internet and the after school services;
     § To encourage the public to visit the library or any of its branches and get familiar with the new books and software.
     
     The facilitator for the workshop is Mrs. Evonda Callendar, Co-ordinator of Government Department Libraries in Barbados. During her keynote address she spoke about the changing roles of libraries in the 21st century. “Today libraries have gone through a metamorphosis in that the concept of libraries has change from that of buildings, housing books, to that of an information centre a source of information. Librarians are no longer custodians of books but knowledge managers or information specialists. The hallmark of the 21st century will be that of change.'
     
     She added that small developing countries like the BVI must be cognizant of this change and try to keep abreast of current developments without any negative impact to services provided to its clientele. ‘The need of the clientele are paramount and consideration must be given before implementing any measure of structural changes,' said Mrs. Callendar.
     Mrs. Virginia Hodge and Mr. Hugo Vanterpool entertained the participants and invited guests with various pieces of readings.