In its continued effort to improve the quality or reading skills in the Cayman Islands, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central (Rotary Central) has extended its reach to the library at Northward Prison.

“Rotarians are mindful of the needs of everyone in the community to have access to the written word. Books not only provide readers with pleasure but they are so important for developing the mind in positive ways and for reference. Also, the development of  reading abilities by those people whose literacy skills require enhancing will help them to cope better with the normality’s of every day life such as understanding signs, notices and forms” said Rotarian Graham Wood who co-ordinated the project to provide the books to the Prison Service.

Prison Director Dwight Scott said “I am delighted to accept this supply of books for our library and thanked Rotary Central for their efforts in serving the whole community, including those people who are currently incarcerated. There is no doubt that rehabilitation is assisted through reading especially for those who manage to improve their reading abilities as it really helps them after release”. He added “These books will benefit those who are accomplished readers as well as those who require help with their reading”.

Rotarian Martin Ruben explained that the selection of books had been left to the Education service of the prison and he said” I am impressed with the selection made  which is all by Caribbean based authors; there are history books, novels, books on science fiction, music, culture, fishing, personal development to name but a few”.

Rotary Central has invested a lot of money and effort in the area of Literacy in the Cayman Islands over many years which have involved the development of literacy programmes for adults and children and for the promotion of reading.  These efforts have been continuously recognised by Rotary International not only at the District Level, but also at the Zone level (14 Districts, 729 clubs) where it was awarded the top award for Literacy for the past two continuous years.