Saturday is a busy day at the Deschapelles Community Library.  Children
come in and read in the am, they see a video (I am sure some of us have
memories of going to the movies on a Saturday afternoon as chldren) and
then in the afternoon the engage in games, puzzles and creating
fantastical vehicles.   Often young children are accompanied by an older
sibling.

May 2017 marked an important milestone for the Deschapelles library: they started lending books!  Most households do not have books in Deschapelles because of the cost.  Deschapelles can be very dusty particularly in the dry months.  The Library Conseil (the Deschapelles Library Board) thought it would be a good idea to insert each book in a book bag for transport to and from the library. In a true collaborative spirit,  colorful cloth book bags were created by a group of women in Essex with fabric donated by Nautical Needles in Westbrook, Ct and Cemmy Ryland.

School is back in session and the library is providing the community with a needed center for study and access to books and computers.

Anny Frederique (3rd from right), member of the Conseil Administratif of the Deschapelles Community Library was invited to attend and make presentations at the Green Education Symposium hosted by the National Library of Aruba which focused on conservation of soil and water.  This is an issue throughout the Caribbean as well as the world.  The Deschapelles Community Library has already begun a composting program and is beginning a recycling effort.

Summer Camp is up and running at the Deschapelles Community Library.  Different week-long courses lasting a couple of hours take place each week such as healthy life styles and maximizing nutrition  through food choices.  Regular activities such as reading books, using LEGOS and educational games, and computer activities  take place all day as well.

In addition, group sports activities are made available as there are few opportunities in Deschapelles for children to engage in different sports.  Different volunteers from the community participate in the camp weeks.   While August 8 focuses on introducing the library and all it has to offer to adults, that service will be ongoing throughout the year.

Weekly schedule