On Sunday June 20th Fathers day young children and their parents gathered at the library for the official opening of a new fantasy room for babies and toddlers. Commissioner of Culture Hyacinth Richardson represented the island government during this very special event.
Acting Lt. Governor Mr. R. A. Groeneveldt could not be present but send his opening remarks which were read by MC Chantal Schaminee. A quote from his speech :
" I wish to sincerely congratulate the Philipsburg Jubilee Library with the new Baby and Toddlers Fantasy Room – a place where, hopefully, many St. Maarten parents will nurture a love of reading beginning in early childhood, among their children"
Groeneveldt also called upon the parents to come to visit library this summer vacation to enjoy books with their children.
Library director Monique Alberts gave a short speech in which she explained that the opening of the fantasy room is part of the bookstart St Maarten campaign for babies and toddlers under the slogan "Read to me".
She outlined that Bookstart campaigns are organized all over the world since it is a proven fact that reading to babies and toddlers provides them with a significant advantage once they start school.
Purpose of the new fantasy room is to encourage parents and care givers to visit the library with their babies and toddlers and enjoy books with their children in a cozy atmosphere of the room Alberts explained.
Hendrickje Stoffels representative of AMFO, one of the sponsors of the Bookstart campaign was present to congratulate the library with the new fantasy room.
Apart from these speeches there was a dance performed by two young students of the Hillside Christian Schools and the children from St Joseph schools recited some nice rhymes and songs.
Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson and baby Myles Holiday , son of Library treasurer Clayton Holiday, together performed the official opening act of the new fantasy room by pulling a ribbon.
Reverend Fiorentina Richardson took it upon her to bless the room.
The children present were very excited and immediately started playing and enjoying the books once they entered the fantasy room.
The room is beautifully decorated with colorful murals by artists Lucinda Audain and Charisse Piper. Apart from AMFO, the companies NAGICO and UTS co-sponsored the furnishing of the fantasy room.
There are colorful and soft cushions and of course a lot of picture books. The room will be open for all children under five years old and their parents during the opening hours of the library.
Other campaign activities within the Bookstart St Maarten campaign were a "Read to me " workshop conducted by remedial teacher Patti Maier which was held on May 27 but which and be repeated in the coming weeks, a reading lunch for toddlers at the library on Thursday June 24th between 11.00 and 12. 15 pm which will be held simultaneously at five different day care centers. The campaign will be closed of on that same Thursday with a workshop on movement and dance with your baby conducted by Clara Reyes from Imbali dance school.
For more information contact Maryland Powell at the library. E-mail pr@stmaartenlibrary.org
Tel. 542 2070.