-donates entire collection to National Library
POPULAR local radio serial drama, Merundoi, which recently completed their 300th chapter, donated the entire collection of episodes in CD form to the National Library yesterday during a handing over ceremony at the institution’s premises on Church and Main here in the city.

Executive Director of Merundoi, Ms. Margaret Lawrence (fourth left) hands over the collection of Merundoi episodes on CD to Chief Librarian of the National Library, Ms. Gillian Thompson (third right). Also in picture are employees of the Merundoi organization and the National Library.

Merundoi Executive Director, veteran broadcaster Ms. Margaret Lawrence, said that it was an honour that the Merundoi collection is being added to the National Library’s reservoir of Guyanese works.

Merundoi, she said, is part of the edutainment package produced by Merundoi Incorporated to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, and that it was the organizations hope that as many persons as possible will take the opportunity to listen to the episodes in the National Library.

Lawrence further explained that the donation forms part of the organizations outreach programme as the public is informed about behavioural changes that can reduce the risk of HIV infection and transmission.

Lawrence congratulated Chief Librarian Ms. Gillian Thompson and her staff on helping the institution attain the significant milestone of being 100 years old come September.

She praised the institution, which has expanded its services to over 25 branches, centres and service points nationwide, for the wide array of activities they’ve organized over time, such as exhibitions, summer extension programmes, story hours, class visits and video shows, as well as their impressive list of collections from esteemed Guyanese persons such as AJ Seymour, Ian Mc Donald and Adrian Thompson, just to name a few.

Continuing, Lawrence said: “We all have rather enjoyable memories of hours spent here. There is something intoxicating about the smell and atmosphere of the revered institution. In my younger days, it was the Public Free Library, and my Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education was enhanced by the information I found here. As a GBC radio announcer, I was able to access Shakespeare plays on records and produce educational programmes for listeners.”

Ms. Thompson thanked Merundoi for the offer, saying that the donation will be of much benefit to users as well as helping to implement behavioral changes. “HIV/AIDS is serious,” she said, in addition to expressing her gratitude that the organization had chosen to donate the CDs to the National Library so they can now be available to a wide cross-section of persons.