Library Services Department The Library Services Department of the British Virgin Islands undertakes to provide globally competitive information through technology and various formats to meet the educational, historical, recreational, and cultural needs of the general public of the British Virgin Islands. In summary: To be recognised by government, private sector and the community as an important contributor to national development. To be recognized as professional information providers. Provide an environment which supports personal and professional development. To be a reliable repository and access point for all BVI historical and cultural information. To facilitate the spread of knowledge and literacy. Head Librarian: Suzanne Greenaway Flemming Street, Road Town Tel: (284) 494-3428 Fax: (284) 494-3495 The Department is charged by means of the Public Library Services Ordinance 1974 to be the legal depository for all government publications, annual and departmental reports, and any other publications published in the Virgin Islands. Available Services Include: Access to general fiction and non-fiction book collections, with separate study rooms for adults and children. Access to approximately 40 periodical titles, newspapers and magazines. Reference, research and special information service facilities. Special Collections including West Indian fiction and non-fiction, Women Studies literature, and B.V.I. Government reports. A Caribbean Studies Unit Internet access and email services, and do-it-yourself word processing. Two computer stations are available at the Central Library, and one station at each of the libraries at East End, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Internet time is charged at $1.50 for thirty minutes. Printing off the Internet is charged at 25 cents per page. Colour photocopying, charged at 25 cents per page. Inter-Library loan service. Books can be obtained from other libraries, including overseas libraries. Special Information Services and Technical Assistance Professional and technical advice to other organisations and departments on setting up simple in-house information systems. Conference room facilities. Any person or civic group may use the Conference Room facilities free of charge. A room reservation form has to be completed, detailing the time, date, and purpose for the facilities. Equipment loans Book repair and binding service. Informational displays The Library Services Department consists of five branches: Road Town (Headquarters), Virgin Gorda, East End, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke. Opening hours are as follows: Road Town, Flemming Street, Tel. 284 494 3428, Fax. 284 494 3495 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virgin Gorda, The Valley Tel. 284 495 5516 Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. East End, Tel. 284 495 2472 Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Anegada, The Settlement Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jost Van Dyke Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Membership Information Resident Registration is open to children and adults. Children can register from the age of five. You are allowed to borrow books at the same time if you so choose. Adults may borrow four books, while children may borrow two. Visitor Registration Visitors to the BVI may join the Library on payment of a refundable registration fee of five (5) US dollars and provision of the name of a referee on your registration card. Any person who resides in the British Virgin Islands for less than 6 months is considered a visitor. Reserve a Book If you want to borrow a book that is out on loan, you may request that book. Once the book is returned to the department you will be notified within 3 workings days. If the book is not part of the library collection then can arrange for an Inter-Library Loan with another library. This will be done within 7 working days. If it takes longer to arrive, we will notify you of the new arrival date. In the event that the books will come from overseas, you will be informed of the expected arrival date. New Books You may make suggestions for books you would like included in the library's collection. Generally, we aim to increase our book stock in fiction and nonfiction by approximately 4,000 books annually. Research While doing research, should you need to peruse materials such as newspapers, reports and journals to gather information you may request assistance from one of our officers who will show you where the material can be found. Library Units and Collections After you have registered, we will give you a tour of our library and provide a brief account of the operations of each Unit and Collection. Catalogue The tour will also include brief instructions on how to use the catalogue. Internet Facility We offer 30 min. of Internet Services at a cost of $1.50. Patrons may print off the Internet for a fee of 25¢ per page. If the service is down, we aim to have it back in operation within 72 hours. Failing this, a sincere apology will be given along with a tentative time for operation. We will also provide you with the nearest location with a functional internet service. Technical Advice to other Organizations or Departments Departments requesting advice or assistance in setting up in house libraries may receive a response from us within 3 working days. We will make an appointment with you for an on site investigation visit to your Department, and the officer assigned to do so will be identified. Book Binding and Repair Service This is available to the general public - price on application. Conference Room Facilities: Any person or civic group may use the Conference Room facilities free of cost. They must fill a Room Reservation form detailing the time, date and purpose for the facilities. Overdue Book(s) We will send you a first, second and third notice that will include the title, date due and cost of the books, requesting that you return them as soon as possible. A fee of 10¢ per day (days that the library is scheduled to open) is charged for each book that is returned late. Volunteers If you wish to volunteer your time to the library, we ask that you speak with the Chief Librarian who will help you find an area best suited for you. After School Programmes The British Virgin Islands Reading Council (BVIRC) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation concerned with fostering the love of reading and the improvement of reading. Anyone interested in and concerned about reading can become a member. The annual membership fee is $15 for adults and $5 for students. For information call: (284) 468-3701 extn. 2151.