THE NATIONAL LIBRARY Service is embarking on developing a Genealogical Department in the near future.
This disclosure came on Monday from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, during his remarks at the Library Service’s lecture entitled The Silver Women: A Glimpse Into The Lives Of West Indian Women In Panama, 1904 -1914. The lecture was presented by Professor Velma Newton of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, at the Library’s headquarters in Independence Square.
Lashley said the aim of the proposed department would be to provide information solely for genealogical research, as the National Library housed a collection containing over 289 037 pieces of Barbadian and West Indian material.
The Minister of Culture also lauded the Library for its contribution to the education of the Barbadian public, and noted that it had many initiatives in place for “empowering” the population, including the programmes Leap into Reading, Parent is Best and the Saturday Story Hour.
The National Library Service is currently celebrating its 168th anniversary.
