Almost 2 months later RT Public Library still closed!
Speaking to former and current public library employees, it was unearthed that the building owned by the Carvin Malone family had issues of mold, broken Air Condition (AC) Units and employees with medical conditions, which is being blamed on the undesirable working conditions in the building.
Library still closed amid confusion over reasons
In the face of all this evidence and medical papers from some staff, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs Marcia Potter Phd., denied that there is mold in the building. She told our newsroom that she was not aware of mold therefore that issue [mold] had nothing to do with the closure.
She did admit, however, that there were broken AC Units which she said at the time, May 31, 2016, was being addressed.
An employee, who brought forward a medical paper to confirm her condition was caused by mold, also said “if you see some of the books at the library they are green from the mold.”
Some six weeks later, the Road Town Public Library is still closed and this has been affecting students and researchers. There is no sign of when it will be reopened.
However, Ministry and Government officials remain tight-lipped over the long extended closure. Carvin Malone, the landlord whose family owns the building located on Fleming Street, above RiteWay Food Market, noted that it is not his family's responsibility to address the issue of the AC unit, as it was installed by government.
Beside the poor health of government workers and the issues in the building affecting them, the closure of the Road Town Public Library has also affected the mobile book services, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Education.
Is Hon Walwyn a failure?
The Library Services Department falls under the portfolio of Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Territorial At Large Member and the Minister for Education and Culture.
Over the past year, the public has lost faith in the embattled Minister with everything under his Ministry going wrong. Parents, teachers, students and senior education officers have lashed out against his sixth form programme and labeled him as “stubborn” for not listening to the cries of the people to place the extra year to the primary school level.
The 2016 Emancipation Festival is in limbo with reports of less than two troupes signing up for the August Monday parade and the lack of funds to support the event. The Virgin Islands Party Opposition, the media and talk show hosts have accused Mr Walwyn of turning the education system and festival into politics, which have turned off many.
Many taxpayers are still outraged that at a time of financial hardship in the country, Minister Walwyn wasted $1 Million dollars on a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School just before the 2015 general elections. They said the money could have been better used for the extra class rooms at the High School, along with much needed supplies for schools and to help support the 2016 Emancipation celebrations.
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16 Responses to “Almost 2 months later RT Public Library still closed!”
Why you picking on Malone. Check to see who working from home and all the other mold drama stories in the government service and stop throwing blame on one.
This is just as important as a school is if not more so. It keeps youth out of trouble, gives them a place to go and sparks the imagination. This is not a luxury. It is a necessity. This truly makes BVI third world if they don't support libraries and education. Malone should help open the space, whether it is government or not, he is the landlord. He can settle later, but children need it now! Frankly, that whole building is a hazzard and owners are making millions off Government rentals. They also get the advantage of having government outfit them for their benefit. It is all a bad practice. Redundant employees, expensive renting, all contribute to poor financial management.