Dear Editor,

The Green Island Branch Library in Hanover has been offering a wide range of services to the public including lending, reference and free access to computers and the Internet.

We have noted Mr Craig Ghunta Dixon’s concern about the recent closure of this branch library and the absence of library services that are well utilised by the community. Firstly, we want to commend Mr Ghunta for his apparent understanding of the role of the public library and his demonstrated commitment by encouraging members of his family and no doubt others to utilise the library facility.

We assure Mr Dixon and our other committed users that the decision to temporarily close the library was taken to ensure the safety and comfort of users, due to the state of the building.

We also wish to assure Mr Dixon that several notices advising of the impending closure had been posted in advance and our stakeholders, from all indications, were aware of the situation. We were therefore surprised that Mr Dixon received information leading to the conclusion that the library did not adequately communicate the closure.

Our stakeholders, including our partners at all levels of the local school system, while severely inconvenienced, have exercised a commendable level of patience. Please be reminded that in addition to the public library system, the Green Island and Rusea’s High schools; Kendal, Pell River and Cove Primary schools, as well as Cave Valley All-Age School also benefit from school libraries that are served by the Jamaica Library Service.

We use this opportunity to reassure them that all efforts are being made to have the situation permanently rectified. Library service from the existing location will be restored once the repairs are completed and the building is confirmed safe for use.

Our mobile library unit, which as part of a regular schedule, would have been providing library services to the community, had encountered mechanical challenges. The unit will be operational within 14 days and will help to alleviate the problems caused by the library’s closure.

The Hanover Parish Library is approximately 15km from the Green Island community and can accommodate displaced users for the time being.

The Jamaica Library Service continues to strive to provide the highest level of service in an aesthetically pleasing and safe environment and seeks the continued patience of our users in Green Island and surrounding communities during this period.

Patricia Roberts

Director General

Jamaica Library Service