THE Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is currently celebrating its 130th year as an organised Church in Guyana (1887-2017) and, with the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, has donated 130 books to the Guyana National Library.
Making the presentation to Chief Librarian, Emily King, at the National Library in Georgetown last Thursday, was President of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. Kern Tobias.
The ceremony was witnessed by a high-powered delegation of local and visiting pastors and administrators, president, secretary and treasurer of the Caribbean Conference, directors and other functionaries, who were at the time attending the historic Annual Caribbean Union Mid-Year Executive Committee Meeting hosted by Guyana from May 31 to June 3.
Executive Secretary, Pastor Exton Clarke, outlined that the book initiative is a partnership between the Guyana Conference and the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the books are valued at $440,000.
“We believe that these books can have widespread impact as we endeavour to provide the books and resources that can inspire our people as a whole, to strive for high standards of mortality, embrace healthful living, and to be more responsible in context of the family and relationships,” Pastor Clarke said.
While acknowledging that the conference has had a long-standing relationship with the library, Pastor Clarke said the books come as a donation to the nation of Guyana, and will be placed in the National Library to benefit the constituency of Guyana.
“This is significant, because it is our anniversary gift and we trust that these books of various subjects will be used in a way to bring light, knowledge and encouragement to the people of our country,” he affirmed.
“It is my pleasure on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in the Caribbean – otherwise called the Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, to offer special congratulatory remarks to the SDA Church in Guyana, which incidentally is our largest constituent,” Dr. Tobias said.
He added: “It is significant that we can all be here to celebrate with the Seventh- day Adventist Church, 130 years of existence here in Guyana, and it’s a tribute to its potency that we can make this gift of 130 books, covering areas of health and family life; religious and moral content and for children as well.”
Meanwhile, Chief Librarian King, in expressing gratitude for the donation of books to the library, said the wide range of books will make interesting reading for local readers. She expressed the hope that the donations forthcoming will be more than doubled.
And observing that it is the commonly held belief that libraries are dying, King confidently affirmed: “I say to you that the books are not going to die and the Internet will not replace the traditional library.”