NALIS must find a way to work with students

THE EDITOR: I’ve been shocked and disappointed over the last few days, to read of the NALIS ban from the National Library of students from certain schools around East Port-of-Spain — particularly given the fact that the blacklisted schools are the ones NALIS should be trying most concertedly to reach. Even if the ban is lifted over the holidays, it should not be reinstated once the term begins. I understand that NALIS is having a difficult time establishing ‘library etiquette’ and handling what has undoubtedly been an overwhelming response from the general public. When I went to join up, I was told there was a three week waiting list to receive my library card. But what did NALIS expect? We, the public, will understandably have contradictory responses to the library. Yes, it is a gorgeous facility — both in terms of its aesthetics and the material one has access to. But let’s be clear, it’s going to take a while for people to get used to it.

Except if you attended UWI (which, prior to the new library, was, in my view the best library in Trinidad) the public has never had access to this type of library facility before. Although schools have libraries, their book collections are often woefully inadequate, and as one student said, sometimes he can’t even get into his school’s library because the person who has the keys hasn’t come in for the day. When I first went to the library weeks after it opened, I couldn’t contain the pride and delight I felt — at last there was a national library facility for learning and sharing knowledge that was worthy of the people of this country.  I thought to myself that these were the kinds of institutions that carry us forward as a country. But please, don’t write off a section of the population for the indiscipline of a few. Find a way to work with these kids. The new library has the potential to open our worlds and reveal new opportunities. Don’t take it away so quickly. We deserve this facility, and we deserve the time to grow into it.

MRH BROWN
St ANN’S