On October 28, at Kerċem Library, 11 cooperation agreements were renewed and signed between Gozo mayors and executive secretaries, and Malta Libraries.
Present for the event were the president of the Gozo Region for Local Councils, Samuel Azzopardi, and executive secretary Rita Mifsud Attard, and Cheryl Falzon, national librarian and CEO of Malta Libraries, who was accompanied by Doreen Borg Zammit, deputy librarian, Public Libraries.
During her opening address, Falzon explained the motive behind the agreement. She referred to an ongoing study on regional and branch libraries, which is focusing on the quality of the infrastructure and services provided.
She said that in the coming year, a report will be made on each branch library, which will then be discussed with the local council concerned to plan the way forward.
She also said that libraries need to keep evolving to stay relevant and that is why Malta Libraries is always exploring new services and media, such as the creation of a digital media hub and makerspace concept.
Falzon also mentioned that the drive to set up a Melitensia collection comprising publications and other ephemera in all libraries about the town or village where these are situated, has now been extended to other libraries. She said that the aim was to create awareness and bring out the rich heritage of each locality.
Azzopardi said that on the day of the event, Gozo was celebrating Jum Għawdex, highlighting the importance the island attaches to libraries and reading. He said that investment in the Gozo libraries was on the Gozo Region agenda; in fact, certain branch libraries had already undergone embellishments, such as new shelving that is more attractive to visitors and members who make use of the reading hubs.
The cooperation agreement was signed by the mayors and the executive secretaries of Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Kerċem, Nadur, Qala, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Xagħra, Xewkija and Żebbuġ, and was endorsed by Azzopardi, Mifsud Attard and Falzon.