06th March 2010
Phase one , Phase two , Phase out
By Modeste Downes

Some thirty years ago, I assisted a young lady from Vieux Fort in the composition of a calypso entitled First Phase. It was inspired by the observation that during that era, every scheme, every project, every developmental undertaking seemed to be conceived for completion in phases, but somehow or other, they were almost every one, with unremembered exception, doomed to phase one. The Hewanorra International Airport terminal spent decades in its ‘first phase’. Another perfect example is the building that presently houses the Vieux Fort Town Council – the Town Hall. Exactly where it was, almost exactly how it was, perhaps a little over thirty years ago.
Although this is not the main focus of this article, I must observe, en passant, that that structure, and the officials and activities doomed to its use over the years, have had to cope with all sorts of problems, including leaking roof, insecure premises, inadequate space…The existing fencing, or part of it was, I am told, a donation by a local business interest.
Against this background, it is not surprising that the second town, the industrial capital, the new frontier has had to cope with a library service of the class, ‘now you see it, now you don’t.’ True, the old myth persists, that we do not have a reading culture. Albeit this is a sin common to all communities, it does nothing to justify one of the fastest developing parts of the country being denied a well-stocked, suitably furnished and fully staffed library facility.
Sometime in early January, 2009, I sought to use the Vieux Fort library, but was rebuffed by a note posted on the main entrance that the library was closed for the time being and would remain so until …
I was later informed that the librarian was on annual vacation leave!! Again, early in 2010, a similar notice appeared because the librarian was unwell. Can you believe that? In the third millennium, an entity as essential as a public library, in an area where a government-sponsored resource center with Internet access is yet to arrive, is brought to forcible closure for lack of personnel!! Equally strange is the fact that a unit operating on two floors has since September or October 2008, been making do with the one librarian, with no assistant. What sort of rationalization can be advanced for the lack of a more efficient service to the public? Again, this road has been travelled before, and one would have thought this to be history not worth repeating. Awa!!
According to information garnered, it would appear that the building has a chronic problem of leakage, the consequence of a fundamental and structural defect. No matter how many times attempts at corrective action have been initiated, the problem returns. It’s fleeting consolation that reconstructive surgery was done to the roof of the building recently, because the main section, on the top floor, remains inaccessible to the public on account of outstanding issues. If one must use the library for whatever reason, the Children’s Section will have to do. Thank you.
The scenario with the Vieux Fort public library is palpably more disconcerting when one considers that for all of nine years this municipality was represented in parliament by no other than the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. Truth be told, one would be correct to presume, without even being a resident, that this sprawling center of economic activity would be boasting a state of the art library with all the modern amenities—all things being equal. But wishful thinking remains a fact of life.