All Parish Libraries, Except St. Elizabeth, Are Now Open

All parish libraries, except for the main library in St. Elizabeth, are now open to the public, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has advised that of its 110 public libraries, one of the most heavily trafficked branches, the Greater Portmore Branch, has suffered severe damage.

“The violent winds associated with Hurricane Beryl have stripped the facility of its roofing, resulting in its closure to the public until further notice. The Greater Portmore Branch serves 6,587 members from surrounding communities, and its closure has impacted the local populace significantly,” the JLS informed in a media release issued on Tuesday (July 9).

In addition to the Greater Portmore Branch, other library locations across the island have reported minor water damage, due to exacerbated leakages.

“The JLS is actively addressing these issues to prevent further deterioration and ensure the safety of library patrons and staff. Due to the infrastructural challenges faced, some planned summer programme activities, which were geared to serve approximately 2,000 youth across the six regions, will be rescheduled. The Ministry understands the importance of these programmes and is working diligently to ensure they can proceed as soon as it is safe to do so,” the media release read in part.

The JLS shared that staff members across the network remain actively engaged in recovery efforts, with the primary focus on securing high net-value property, such as computers, printers, and book collections to minimise further loss.

The JLS said it will continue to collaborate with local authorities and the Ministry of Education and Youth to expedite the restoration of normalcy for the benefit of its clients.