The Virgin Islands will observe Library Week 2024 from April 22-27.
This year’s observation coincides with World Book and Copyright Day on April 23.
Chief Librarian Suzanne Greenaway has underscored the integral role that libraries and literacy play in fostering strong communities.
Greenaway said the slate of activities is geared primarily toward engaging the Territory’s youth to promote reading, advance literacy skills and highlight the public library system’s offerings.
A major highlight is the launch of the public libraries’ new eBook OverDrive platform, which provides a digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks for adults and children across fiction and non-fiction genres. Patrons can access the platform through the Libby app, which is downloadable to personal devices.
Other planned activities include school visits, science experiments and demonstrations, arts and crafts, storytelling sessions, virtual introductions to eBooks and readings by local authors. The library team will also make outreach visits to sister islands during the week.
The celebration culminates on April 27 with the Dads’ Reach Out & Read program jointly hosted with the BVI Reading Council from 10:30 am to noon. There will also be arts and crafts from 9-10:30am and interactive games from noon-1pm geared toward children ages 4-12.
The public library system maintains branches in Virgin Gorda, East End, Tortola and Anegada.