BARRETT TOWN, St James – Barrett Town All-Age School received a much-needed boost last week with the donation of a fully equipped library from the hotel Half Moon, A RockResort.

The newly constructed facility was built at a cost of just over $700,000.

It was conceptualised after 12- year-old Steuart Richardson — grandson of Holly Steuart-Richardson, a board member of Half Moon — visited the school in 2014 and noticed the lack of books at the institution, which had no library.

The youngster went on to collect over 200 books for the Barrett Town All-Age School through the assistance of classmates and students at his Evergreen Country Day School in Colorado, USA.

The donation of the library is the latest initiative, part of a 20-year relationship between the school and the hotel. The institution has been the recipient of academic supplies, yearly maintenance of the grounds and buildings through Half Moon’s Green Team Council, as well as other financial contributions.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the school last week, Chairman Bert Wright thanked Half Moon for its “continued interest in the school”, and asked students and teachers to ensure the library is properly cared for. He stressed that students must “respect” and “appreciate” the library, as it has been a long-held dream of his for the school to have such a facility.

Shernette Crichton, committee chairperson for the project, highlighted current plans to source an additional six computers for the library and additional books. The hotel also has plans to adopt the basic school which adjoins the library.