Plans to bring library services to Toco are progressing.
The area’s former Member of Parliament, Roger Monroe, and his team led the conversation on the construction of the library in Toco, with many expressing their delight at the long-awaited move.
“This Toco Public Library, I must put on record, is not going to stand alone. The Toco Public Library, and you all are going to see it very soon, is going to complement our new Toco Secondary School, and our new Toco Secondary School is going to complement our Toco Public Library in the coming days.”
Received by the residents as a way of promoting education and innovation in Toco, Library Assistant Janessa Roberts shared how it would be beneficial.
“I commend this initiative. As a special needs mom, as a community member, knowing the opportunity it would bring to people who are studying in the area, for Primary School students, for the preschool students, Secondary School students, for the senior citizens.”
The library is to be designed with an amphitheatre. Mr. Monroe said this move was intentional, providing the look and design that other libraries across the country already possess.
“As Member of Parliament, I did not give an easy time in terms of when we came up with the design because I wanted every single aspect of a modern library similar to those that were built in the various communities in the urban parts of Trinidad, where I see us and my people as no different.”
Presenting the design and the overview of the project, Architect Stephan Homer said Toco’s natural beauty inspired the design with modern amenities that will include spaces for art display.
“Toco has not been shortchanged in any way possible. It has received all of the hallmarks of every public library in a modern setting. We have multifunctional spaces on the ground floor for exhibitions, for the schools, for local artists, for anybody who is willing to display their work and other periods of time for the year they will have roaming exhibitions, etc. We have that space for you all.”
Aiming to bring the community together outside of their homes, the consultation offered an opportunity for residents and key stakeholders to view the proposed design and plans and engage in discussions.