Boost for library’s collection

The National Library and Information System (Nalis) last Wednesday received collections from Colin Laird, Wilfred Cartey and Dr J O’Neil Lewis. Speaking at the handing over ceremony was Prof Bridget Brereton, historian and chair of the Nalis Board and Rose Ann Walker, assistant lecturer at the University of the West Indies. In her address, Prof Brereton outlined the importance of Laird’s collection, saying it proved to be invaluable to history students and the public at large. Laird’s collection, which includes maps that span from the 16th to the late 19th century, is on loan to the library. Walker spoke on the life and times of Cartey and read poetry written by him, explaining how he was able to “counter tradition by reading history.”

Becoming emotional during her presentation, Walker emphasised the importance of Cartey’s work and how valuable his collection would be to Nalis. Dodderidge Alleyne, former head of the Public Service, gave a brief presentation on his friend Dr J O’Neil Lewis. His presentation also proved to be an invaluable history lesson. During his address, Alleyne stressed how his friend Dr Lewis laboured for many years collecting many books and added that he was quite happy that Lewis had decided to donate some of these books to the National Library. The collections are lodged under the Nalis Heritage Division.