The Cayman Islands Public Library Service (CIPLS) and the public school libraries will be the recipients of around US$17,500 worth of new children’s books thanks to a generous Christmas donation facilitated by four DART property companies (Camana Bay, Regatta, Flagship, and Island Plaza). The new books will be distributed to all branches of the Cayman Islands Public Library (including Cayman Brac Library) and the public primary and secondary school libraries in Grand Cayman.

This is the second year running that DART companies have made a children’s book donation in the name of LIFE (Literacy is for Everyone), a local charitable organisation which focuses on literacy issues. The books are being purchased through Books & Books in consultation with the LIFE Executive Team, the Director and staff of the CIPLS, the Literacy Specialist at the Ministry of Education and the public school librarians.

When the full shipment of books arrives in the next few weeks, several hundred new children’s books will be added to the waiting library shelves, ready to be enjoyed by young boys and girls. “We are delighted that the DART companies decided to make this very kind donation again this year – our younger readers will benefit greatly from the exciting selection of new books we will have on offer” said Paul Robinson, Deputy Director of the CIPLS.

“Many of LIFE’s initiatives are all about encouraging young people to read. Keeping the public libraries and school libraries well stocked with a variety of children’s books is a great way to do that. Children will be motivated to read more when they are given the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of books which they can take home to read” said Su Mander of the LIFE Executive Team. “LIFE relies heavily on the generosity of its committed corporate sponsors. We are extremely grateful to the DART property companies for their very generous and thoughtful donation to benefit the children of Cayman” she added.

This year, the government schools in Grand Cayman will be benefiting as well. “Our school librarians are thrilled to be receiving new books for the children in their school libraries” said Brad Wilson, the Literacy Specialist at the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education. “This is a truly generous Christmas donation from the DART companies, and the books will be put to great use in the schools.”

Photo Attached. Persons in the photo, from left to right, are: Brad Wilson, Literacy Specialist at the Ministry of Education, Woody Foster, Chairman of LIFE, Paul Robinson, Deputy Director of the Cayman Islands Public Library Service, Colleen Cummings, Property Manager, Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd., Hon. Tara Rivers, Minister of Education, Juliet Grant, Administrative Assistant, Property Management, Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd., Kimberley Miller, Property Manager, Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd., Sue Greene, Property Manager, Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd., Annette Vaughan, teacher at Sir John A Cumber Primary School, Courtney Yates, Property Manager, Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. and Su Mander, Executive Team, LIFE.