Another plea for Heritage Library reopening

THE EDITOR: This is yet another plea for the reopening of the Heritage Library’s research section at the impressive Nalis building on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.

This is an insult to the intelligence of the average citizen while the Ministry of Public Administration remains quiet. Shame on Minister Marlene McDonald and her incompetent ministry and the Nalis board for depriving the nation access to our valuable collections of history for so long.

Attempts to access the valuable reference material there have been met with the greatest of frustration given that the section has been closed for many months due to so-called “air quality” and other issues, yet the rest of the National Library remains open.

Why is it that only one floor is closed after more than two years with the most valuable resources available? Are books and other valuable documents and artefacts being safely stored and not being “removed?”

On enquiry, the word is that the relevant ministry has not been able to provide the needed funds to repair and upgrade equipment and restore facilities. All attempts to obtain the funding have fallen on deaf ears.

This is a crying shame on the minister and board members of Nalis, chaired by Neil Parsanlal.

This is an urgent plea to the people charged with the responsibility of providing what is needed so our nation can continue to avail itself of the valuable educational and historical material that is supposed to be accessible there.

Maybe our Prime Minister will read this and influence the rectification of this travesty.

P KING, Port of Spain