SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland:
THE WESTMORELAND Parish Council opened a brand new building in St. Leonards to serve the district, after offering library service to that community since 1958.
This was eight years after the official start of the Jamaica Library Service.
The library service in St. Leonards has now experienced its sixth relocation, the most recent being a room in the Baptist church. The new landlord, Frances Brown, who provided the land and building for the library, declared the new structure open.
She said that this was her contribution to the redevelopment of literacy in her home town. She added that reading is a means of developing the mind which was important for nation building.
According to Mrs. Gloria Salmon, director of the Jamaica Library Service, the library is designed for public education while impressing on children, especially those of St. Leonards, to use the facility for educational and recreational reading.
Senior librarian at the Westmoreland Parish Library, Mrs. Winsome Hudson, endorsed this statement, adding that it enhances the learning process. Mrs. Hudson challenged St. Leonards to be a part of the annual reading competition for children and puzzle competition for adults.
"Reading is a process for progress", said Rev. Dr. George Simpson, "and the best way to read well is to read more".
He brought the keynote address at the opening and dedication of the library building in St. Leonards, and encouraged users of the library to read for relaxation and information.
