Port Morant Library reopens

THE PORT Morant Branch Library in St. Thomas has been reopened, after being forced to close because of a lack of suitable accommodation. The library is now on Swamp Road in Port Morant.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony in Port Morant last month, Human Rights Advisor in the Ministry of National Security and Justice, Flo O'Connor, highlighted the importance of reading in maintaining social order.

"Our people are inarticulate with rage, a rage which expresses itself in the high murder rate and domestic violence," Ms. O'Connor said.

She told the gathering that reading could help generate the discussion of issues, helping people to disagree amicably and respect each others point of view. If this was practised, she said, persons who disagree with each other would not have to resort to violence.

Advising the community on how they could use the library, Ms. O'Connor urged: "Start a reading revolution with the library as your headquarters". Explaining how this could work, she suggested that three or four persons could read a book and then discuss the content, or members of the group could read separate books and then share the information. Ms. O'Connor pointed out that the exercise, if done over time, could help to regenerate the family spirit in communities.

The ceremony culminated with the Mayor of Morant Bay, Leonard Saunders, cutting a ribbon to symbolise the official opening of the facility.

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