Thugs disturbing the library

THE EDITOR: Please allow space in your newspaper for this article. I am fifteen years old and, being an avid reader, I decided to visit the new library in Port-of-Spain with my friends. After being given written acquiescence from our Dean, we headed toward the library, which is situated a short distance from our school. On arrival there, the first impression that I received was that this was an exquisitely designed and constructed building. The employees there were very helpful and understanding (something that cannot be said of many public service employees today) and were very keen on answering our questions.

We selected some books from the well-stocked shelves and proceeded to find a table where we could sit and enjoy our books. Suddenly, the sound or a rap song (the singer of which urges young people to get rich or die trying — even by illegal means, I suppose) pierced the silence of the library. On hearing the noise one of the librarians pointed out to the user of that computer (who was in a uniform used by one of the schools which have now been rightfully banned) that there was a sign that clearly read “No Music.” Obviously, the school which the user attends does not teach students how to read, understand and follow instructions, because, after the librarian had turned down the volume on the computer since the boy claimed ignorance “Me eh know how,” was his response— Really? How did you turn up the volume?), he proceeded to blaspheme at the librarian as she left and turned up the volume again. The guard was called in and the boy was removed. However, the episode did not end there, some of his friends (or “horses”) who were wearing earrings and other paraphernalia which were indubitably not part of the school uniform, began cursing because the music video they were trying to play would not play properly (amazingly this was another one of the videos which promote violence, hooliganism and sadism towards other human beings).

The librarian intervened and asked them to leave. They then began cursing the librarian and the guards had to escort them out. On their way out, I couldn’t help but notice that their shoes were of every colour but the one that was designated by their school. I later learnt from the librarian that they did not have permission to be in the library during school hours. The entire incident lasted about thirty minutes, during which everyone in that part of the library couldn’t get any serious work done. Since then, I have gone to the library numerous times, but I have learnt my lesson and I don’t sit there to get any work done. I just select my books, get them stamped and I leave. During my sojourns there, I still manage to see these wannabe thugs trying to bring their street behaviour into a building that is meant to educate our nation’s people. Persons such as my friends and I who come to the library to expand our minds and broaden our acumen cannot do so because of these teenagers. We need to train these young people to live a civilised life and enlighten them on the reality that being a gangster is only going to put them in a body bag.

RISHI RAMOUTAR
Chaguanas