THE grand effort by the Ministry of Education, non-governmental organisations and private individuals to encourage the culture of reading in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) is commendable.
Besides the Book Foundation library located in Cotton Field and supervised by retired principal of the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Mr. Parmeshwar Lall, there are also public libraries at Suddie, Affiance and Anna Regina.
Six secondary schools along the 38-mile Essequibo Coast have libraries. At Charity Secondary School, with a student population of 900, and served by Ms. Alisa Brown, this library facilitates students from the upper and lower reaches of the Pomeroon River.
At Suddie, the collection is vast and the librarian, Ms. Karen Persaud, always has a handful at well placed tables, most likely donated by Food For the Poor.
The most outstanding library is located at Affiance, a former sugar estate owned by one Seymour and now a Rice Milling Complex owned and operated by Imam Bacchus and Sons. This new public library is the brain child of Imam Bacchus Jr. and it is housed in an imposing building, parallel to the Atlantic Ocean.
Mr. Bacchus is a University of Guyana graduate and offers free services to many schools in Region 2. This library has more than thirty packed shelves and adequate reading accommodation. There is also a photocopying facility, drinking water and the complementary service of viewing several islands at the Essequibo River mouth gives one a panoramic view of the coastline.
Ms. Shaahida Bacchus who also has her accreditation as an accountant at CIOG Headquarters in Thomas Lands manages this very spacious and ventilated library.
Ms. Shaahida Bacchus has a very pleasant personality and is always dressed in a Kemar. She enjoys the support of many readers.
There is also adequate parking and a security facility at this library.