N.A. Library gets US$4,500 books gift
NEW Amsterdam Librarian, Ms. Nasseem Latiff has called on parents to make their offspring join the Public Library through which their literacy skills can be sharpened. She issued the call during a ceremony, last Saturday, for the handing over of 555 books, donated by the Council of Friends of New Amsterdam (COFONA) to the Library in Berbice, by Ms. Donette Benjamin, a relative of Ms. Ruthel Fung, Secretary of the United States (U.S.) based organisation.
Latiff, expressing thanks for the gift, on behalf of Chief Librarian, Ms. Gillian Thompson, also took the opportunity to inform the public of the several programmes offered at the institution, among them the weekly story hour, an annual reading programme along with toy library, which is geared to assist the nursery school children.
Latiff said the library serves people from Central Corentyne to locations on East Bank Berbice and, currently, the membership comprises 2,103 adults and 4,643 juveniles.
Earlier, COFONA local representative, Mr. George Rutherford told the media that the donation followed a visit to the local library by Fung, who, on her return to the U.S., just over a year ago, raised US$4,500, to buy books on general education for all school levels.
According to him, Fung was a former educator locally, who saw the need to have the educational material, which will be used to supplement areas in the schools’ curriculum, particularly with emphasis on Science and Mathematics.
COFONA is a broad-based collaborative initiative that networks with individuals, associations, businesses and governmental agencies for the educational, social and economic development of New Amsterdam.
It helps residents to fully utilise educational opportunities to build, strengthen and sustain the quality of life for individuals, families and the community at large.
It also encourages entrepreneurial spirit among residents, as a means of creating meaningful and sustained employment.