St. Georges, Grenada, 09 February 2002
Contact: Kathy Oberle (kathy@boatersforbooks.org)
Photo Attached

Little more than a year ago, Director of Library Services Lillian Sylvester reported that Grenada’s school principals were struggling to encourage their young pupils to read. That attitude is now undergoing a fundamental shift. According to Sylvester, “When those children saw the beautiful new books, there were ‘oohs and aahs’ and everyone wanted to read one.”

Sylvester was discussing the impact of Boaters for Books Genada with BFB Director Kathy Oberle during a review and evaluation meeting held today at St. Georges Public Library. “One particular school has set up a competition,” explained Grenada’s Director of Library Services, “The children complete five books and in their own words, recount each story in a written report.” Special recognition is given for the best reports.

Some schools are allowing the children to take their book home overnight. Other schools have set aside a reading period each day now that books are readily available.

Included in the most recent shipment to Grenada were several hundred new titles. These were selected by Kathy Oberle and Publisher’s Warehouse Sarasota Manager Kathi O’dell to appeal to the cultural values and familiar surroundings of the Caribbean. Contributions of cash in 2001 enabled Boaters for Books to purchase many titles along guidelines given by Mrs. Sylvester. These were particularly well received.

Books are distributed via the library’s book mobile to the parish schools. Not all schools have libraries, so the effort must be coordinated between Mrs. Sylvester’s staff and the school principals to insure that the titles re-circulate.

“The original shipment of books we received from your organization last year has now made the rounds of the island so I am taking some with me to Carriacou,” explained Sylvester. Carriacou is one of three islands that comprise the country of Grenada. The third island is Petite Martinique.

Ms. Sylvester is in the process of getting more detailed instruction from each school as to what particular storybooks their children might enjoy. Indications are that illustrated adventure books (space, shipwrecks, deep sea, mystery), children’s classics, books on family values and friendship, profiles of famous Black people, sports stories (soccer, basketball, cricket, boating) and animal adventure sagas top the list of preferred titles. Books for teenagers and young adults have also been requested.

Expressing her deep appreciation to all donors, Mrs. Sylvester explained, “Thanks to these children’s books, we will be able to use what funds we have this year to purchase resource material for our libraries and schools. Our encyclopedias and other materials are very outdated.”

Boaters for Books Director Kathy Oberle sailed North to Grenada from Trinidad last week, together with husband Dick and pet parrot Charlie. The Oberles are en route to Union Island in the Grenadines to discuss the formation of a local chapter of BFB in St. Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG).