Education Launches Consultation on $700,000 Victoria Public Library Re-Opening

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 7, 2023 – The Government has a reported budget of $700,000 to redevelop the Victoria Public Library and needs you to tell them how to use it according to a recent press release.

Grand Turk Residents are being called to consult on the library following an executive order from the Ministry of Education, that halted the upgrade process to make sure the opinions of the people were heard.

“The Government’s key objective for convening this public consultation is to ensure that the feedback of the citizenry of Grand Turk is garnered and thoroughly considered, to inform and finalise the infrastructural development plans for the Victoria Public Library,” TCIG said in the press release.

Residents will be able to make their decisions and share opinions via survey at an in person meeting on July 10th at the Library.

The survey, which is a simple one page document, requires very little demographic data; only age ranges, employment status, and gender before laying out the options for locals to choose on how the money should be spent.

Residents will be able to vote on whether the location is convenient and if it should be moved, maintained as a library, or turned into a historical site.

History records, about the library that “In 1887, this public library was dedicated to Victoria, the Queen of the United Kingdom, to celebrate her golden jubilee.  It officially opened two years later.  Nearby is a plaque from 2002 honoring the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II.  Both monarchs reigned for over 60 years.”

Following the survey, the Ministry of Education informed it will rate a suite of amenities on a scale of ‘not important’ to ‘mandatory,’ so the Government can tally what the age groups desire most.  On the table for addition to the existing structure are: study areas; a large play area for children; a section for teens; computer room; meeting room; adult areas; space for crafts and story time; Government archive and more.

In addition to that, residents are asked to list areas outside of the programmes and services currently offered that could make an impact on the community.

The survey will close on July 10th and you can access it here: https://forms.office.com/r/eqk7XiSe3M

The Victoria Public Library was destroyed by fire from suspected arsonists in a shocking March 2017 blaze which led to the destruction of many of  the valued artifacts, donations and inventory of books at the over 136-year-old building.

The reconstruction was completed in 2022.