Rockhouse Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Buy Books for Negril Library

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) today (March 26), received $1.3 million from the Rockhouse Foundation, to purchase books for the Negril Branch Library.
The presentation was made at a ceremony at the JLS office, Tom Redcam Drive, Kingston. The funds will assist the Foundation to fulfill its mandate of enabling national development through the creation and support of a knowledge-based society of culturally aware lifelong learners.
The foundation is also refurbishing the Negril Branch Library at a cost of $30 million. This will be completed by the end of May.

President of the Rockhouse Foundation, Mr Peter Rose (right), shows the architectural design of the Negril Branch Library which is being refurbished. Looking on are Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Bertel Moore (left) and Director General, Jamaica Library Service, Mrs Patricia Roberts. The Foundation today (March 26) handed over a cheque for $1.3 million towards the purchasing of books for the Negril Library.

Some of the work being done on the library include the creation of a significant Junior Library, a new multi-purpose study/project/meeting space with appropriate furniture and learning material and the installation of a modernised 20-computer technology corner with internet access.
“I want to thank Rockhouse Foundation for bringing this project to fruition,” JLS Director General, Patricia Roberts, said as she paid tribute to the Foundation for the support.

Director General, Jamaica Library Service Mrs Patricia Roberts (second right) makes a point, as Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Bertel Moore (left) and President of the Rockhouse Foundation, Mr Peter Rose (right) listen, during the ceremony at the JLS, Tom Redcam Drive, Kingston, at which the Foundation handed over a cheque valued at $1.3 million towards the purchasing of books for the Negril Branch Library today(March 26) .

Mrs. Roberts said when the library is fully refurbished it would represent where the JLS is headed, in terms of its vision.
“I am very pleased and I really like what the library is going to look like when they are finished. It is not everything that, when you put pen to paper, comes out exactly how you would like it,” Mrs. Roberts commented.
Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Bertel Moore, said that he was pleased with what the Rockhouse Foundation has been doing at the Negril Parish Library.
“I want to see more business places in Negril do things like these for the community. I can tell you for sure that, as soon as this library is open, you will see more people going there, day in and day out,” Mr. Moore said.
In his remarks, President of the Rockhouse Foundation, Mr. Peter Rose, noted that the refurbishing of the library was a collaborative effort with the community, the Jamaica Library Service, local architects and the Westmoreland Parish Council.
“They deserve tremendous credit for the design that is not only pretty to look at, but is functional and is going to be a fantastic space for children of all ages,” he said.
“We felt it was important not just to create a wonderful space for wonderful literature, information and access to a world that children so desperately need, but also to establish an ongoing relationship with both the local library branch and the Jamaica Library Service,” Mr. Rose stated.
Since its inception in 2003 the Foundation, which was established to assist in enhancing Negril’s public buildings and spaces, has fully renovated and expanded the Negril All-Age School and Basic School. At the completion of the library in 2009, the Foundation would have invested over US$1 million in projects and support programmes.