Florence Augusta Williams Public Library is CLOSED?
PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE TERRITORY are CLOSED, at least the majority of them! Only one public library on St. Croix is open and that's the Public Library for the Blind. What about those who can see? Do they get their public library open? Oh, it is staffing issues. Staffing issues? Okay, first begin by hiring a director that has leadership skills and at least a library science degree then staffing issues may improve.
Changing leadership of the VI Public Libraries matters because when you have qualified librarians as directors and leaders, it shows that you value the people of the territory by giving them qualified individuals to direct the public libraries.
According to USVI Public Libraries, "Florence Augusta Stephens Williams, for whom the library was named, was the first native Crucian librarian. The library was dedicated on September 15, 1974. The potrait of Florence Williams by Leo Carty hangs on the wall inside the library. The western wing underwent reconstruction and houses the Children’s Library on the first floor and the Children’s Theater on the second. The FWPL is a full-service facility with approximately twenty thousand square feet distributed on four floors. It is a modern facility, fully air-conditioned, and has over 30,000 volumes.
Located in the heart of the Christiansted historical district, the library is used by people of all walks of life. One can see groups of children in school uniforms making their frequent field trips to the library to get their first library card, check-out books, and participate in story hour; busloads of senior citizens frequent the library at least once per month for their regular group visit. Visitors from the world over frequent the library, some of them authors themselves who just drop in to see if their title/s are available in the library’s collections. With luck, patrons are treated to an impromptu autograph session.
In addition to the traditional Reader Services, offered also is Historical/Cultural Programming—The library actively produces and facilitates in cooperation with other organizations, historical and cultural programs, and numerous successful programs and projects have emanated from the staff, Friends of the Library, patrons, community non-profit organizations and institutions.
One vivid example: In 1985 the library was the focus of the celebration of the 250th of anniversary of Christiansted. The Virgin Islands Humanities Council and the National Endowment funded this project. The range of activities included: streets tours of the town of Christiansted, dramatic skits, historic lectures, “Come Talk Old Times” open discussions and reminiscence of past times in the town; Cariso music, and a culminating birthday party encompassing the entire block with mocko jumbies, school bands, quadrille dancers, local bands, theater dance and other performing arts groups and individuals.
The program received special recognition on the floor of Congress as an exemplary NEH project. The President of the United States sent a letter of congratulations to the library. Thousands from the community took part in this celebration. Each year during National Library Week the library with the support of the FRIENDS conducts daily programs and projects similar in nature.
Services--The primary focus of the library is to provide free reader services to adults, children, young adults, senior citizens, residents, and non-residents.
Collections--Adult fiction and Non-fiction; Children’s Fiction and Non-fiction; Spanish language, Adult and Children’s Reference; Magazines; Daily Newspapers; High-Interest Low-Level materials, and The Caribbean Collection; The Virgin Islands Documents; The U.S. Government Depository.
Virgin Islands Archives/Records—The library houses original and microfilm collections of V.I. Archives, records, newspapers, and other materials; it is capable of reproducing images via microfilming and photocopying. Microfilm readers/printers are available.
VIALS—The Virgin Islands Automated Library System is the database and computerized support network for books, reading materials, and patron records for the public library, public high school, and curriculum center collections in the Virgin Islands."