On any given weekday after 2 pm schoolchildren congregate at the National Library on Church and Main streets and queue to enter in order to carry out their research.
The line which runs from the top of the stairs in the library to the gate consists of a host of children on both sides of the library’s ornately designed staircase.
This is the solution devised by the library to reduce overcrowding in the building following the dismissal of classes on weekdays and on Saturdays. Members of the public who would like to use the library’s facilities at these times have to wait along with the students.
The problem, which is the result of a lack of space, has been ongoing for some time, Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson said. It existed before the administrative wing was added to the library in 2001 to create more space but the problem remains. Calls to the Ministry of Education which is responsible for the National Library were directed back to the Chief Librarian.
Students are allowed to use the facilities for an hour then leave so that another group has an opportunity. Thompson related that some of the students tend to spend a lot of time in the library and those who really need to do work are sometimes short-changed.
Other staff noted that the measure makes the situation manageable while amidst the crowd of students, some sitting on the floor, pages are ripped from the books among other unacceptable activities.
The National Library has another Georgetown branch in Festival City, North Ruimveldt which is being expanded and where the Chief Librarian hopes a number of the children could go instead of having to wait in line at the central branch.
