Letters | Sunday, 29 March 2009

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Bad state of Belt is-Sebh library

I would like to draw the attention of your readers to the dismal state of the library at Belt is-Sebh, Floriana.
The majority of the books are old and antiquated. The books dealing with technology are so totally outdated that they serve little or no purpose. The books dealing with IT in particular might as well be removed from the shelves – I saw books dealing with software that went obsolete some 15 years ago. In fact the only new books I could locate were books on scientology and these had been donated.
I would like to stress to your readers that books play a vital role in any attempt at serious study. The internet is no substitute; the contents of these books cannot be found online because of copyright; books can be carried around, read over a period of days, weeks and months and have none of the distractions associated with internet. Also a book covers a topic in far greater details then a website.
I also went to the trouble of checking two libraries in Valletta; these were well stocked with books on travelling, biographies, cooking and novels, in fact all the books that are associated with leisure and which sell well. What they had little of were books that would be described as educational.
I cherish my memories as a kid of going to the library and the pleasure and knowledge that I have derived over the years from books. The use of libraries helped turn me into a responsible and contributing member of society. I cannot see my own children benefiting from the same benefits with the current state of this library.
Libraries serve an important and crucial role in a well functioning society and are an investment in our future and that of out children. Belt is-Sebh library is a disgrace to the general public that it serves and to the librarians employed at this library and the dedication they give to their work.
Could not this government do with one trip less to Brussels, one less government contract to their family members and find the money to invest in the future of this country and of all our children?

Vincent Bezzina
Zurrieq

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