The Six Cross Roads Branch Library has reopened after undergoing renovations last year, with residents of St Philip welcoming the return of what they described as a vital space for learning, connection, and community life.
“This is reopening time,” said the minister for pan-African affairs and heritage, Trevor Prescod, at the opening ceremony. “It is important because it shows that we are investing in our people… You are yet to contribute to this civilization,” he said, while urging patrons to see the facility as more than its monetary value.
“I want you all to view this library as a significant investment… what it means to the contribution of Barbados… producing… people of knowledge who can reason.”
Highlighting the library’s previous impact, he noted that before its closure in 2025, the facility recorded “8 142 loans to the public… 2 054 computer users… over 6 030 visits… and a strong fixed membership of over 2 884 patrons.
“You can’t want a greater demand.”
Director of the National Library Service Jennifer Yarde described the reopening as both a professional and emotional milestone.
“Today is a very special moment for all of us, a time to celebrate, reflect, and look ahead… The reopening of this library is not just a professional milestone; it is an emotional one,” she said.
Tracing the branch’s history back to September 1954, she explained that the library has long served as “more than just a place for books… the heart of the community”, supporting generations of residents, including students from the neighbouring Princess Margaret Secondary School.
“What we now see is a renewed and modern space… not just a place for reading and research, but a hub for connection, offering programmes, workshops, cultural activities, and digital learning opportunities,” she added.
The reopening also featured the launch of the library’s mascot, Readie, aimed at encouraging literacy among children as part of national reading initiatives.
Among those celebrating the moment was the Six Road Branch’s oldest patron, 105-year-old Aïda St Hill, who encouraged continued use of the library.
“Make great use of it and learn a lot from the books that you borrow… books are a wonderful, wonderful possession to have,” she said.
Her daughter, Celeste St Hill, reading on her behalf, shared the deep personal value of the library:
“I live an extra life when I read a book… I go on all the adventures… I really experience a much broader and wider life,” she said, adding that during the closure, “there was a big empty space in my life.”
She also described the facility as “a hub to reach the community… a central place where people can come together… It just opens your mind.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments. Gloria Garnes said: “It’s good for knowledge because it really widens your knowledge… it really helped me with my education… I would recommend it for any young person.”
Kaylen Abiyyahu stressed the importance of encouraging reading habits in a digital age.
“The library is a very important place… it develops the skill of reading… reading is paramount… a necessity for life,” she said, while also encouraging families to spend more time reading together.
Patrons also praised the upgraded facility, describing it as “beautiful… bright and breezy… a welcoming space”.
The reopening ceremony featured a performance by Mr Blood, a presentation of flowers to St Hill, and a tour of the refurbished space. Children were also engaged as the library mascot read stories in a corner designed for young readers.
(LE)
