It presently provides photocopying, reference, music, bookmobile, prison outreach, inter-library loans, conference accommodation, Internet and telephone inquiries, apart from books lending.

She said the photocopying offered allows users to duplicate personal documents or information from library materials which they acquire from borrowing or the reference section.

To make literary materials more accessible to a wider cross section, the bookmobile takes them to outlying areas while the prison outreach facilitates promotion of literacy in the four jails, Thompson said.

She said, to add to those efforts, the Library encourages inter-library loans through which arrangements are made with other libraries to borrow and lend to each other.

Thompson said, for its efficient functioning, several departments of the Library collaborate, among them the Technical Service, Repair and Rural Service departments, which are only accessible to staff.

However, the Adolescents and Adults, Reference and the Juvenile departments are accessible to the public.

For the younger children, the last is an adventure for those aged between four and fourteen years.

Thompson said it is in the best interest of the Library to complement its existing services and she highlighted one particular area of expansion is the computer laboratory where it is imperative to engage in dissemination of information to keep up with technology.

However, she said they need a new building for more space to be allocated to the laboratory and the Reference Department.

Thompson said the last expansion was done in 2001 when the three-storey wing was added.

Currently the Library has either centres or branches or both in all of the Administrative Regions except, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) but is working towards an establishment there.

The Library is continuing to celebrate its centenary with book exhibitions and school tours, a photographic display, the Champion Reader Competition and essay and short story writing.

A games evening, a staff tour, a staff concert, literary evenings and the grand finale of a ball and award ceremony are yet to come, all emphasising the institution’s commitment to its watchwords ‘In service to the community.’

Five-year-old Ormestan St. Mark said he loves the story time and one of his favourite books is ‘Wheels, All Round’.

Another child, Selena Sam proudly said she goes to the library every day and, besides reading, she gets help from other children.

One staffer, Mrs. Merle James pointed out that children can avail themselves of a number of activities in the Juvenile Department.

“They have their reading circle done everyday and special reading where phonics is taught twice a week by a trained teacher as well as holiday activities,” she said.

The Head of the Juvenile Department, Ms. Monique Hall said the assistance programme is one that accepts volunteers to help the younger children.

“Every term, we take on volunteers and we always welcome the much needed help they give,” she asserted.

Hall said the students who volunteer often learn to be civic-minded and remain patrons of the library for years.