Ghasri Local Council recently held an event to help raise awareness that there is now more of interest available to read throughout the 11 local libraries of Gozo. Those who were present at the event were the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono and the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Consultation and Information Chris Said.

During the event the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Consultation and Information Chris Said, issued funds to be used to purchase books for local and regional libraries, together with vouchers for books of the Maltese language and a number of publications issued by the Department of Information.

Chris Said said that the devolution of libraries has allowed greater investment in books and modernisation of local and regional libraries. Between 2000 and 2008 the Gozo Local Councils spent more than €25,000 on books for use by residents of the respective localities. He added that the libraries open longer which makes them more accessible, he also mentioned the computerisation of the libraries.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that a special fund from the Government will be doubling the budget for libraries this year, the Local Councils are able to invest in more books for the libraries. He also said that on the initiative of the Department of Information a directory of libraries had been issued. This is a publication that contains all the information on the local and regional libraries. This booklet will be distributed to Local Councils and other public places.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, praised the work of the Gozitan Local Councils, which besides giving attention to infrastructural projects, they also give importance to promoting the learning and education among the communities of the locality.

She explained how one of the key priorities in the work of the Ministry for Gozo is the field of education, where attention is given to increasing and improving educational facilities on the island. The results obtained by Gozitan students, both in the examinations of the Junior Lyceum as well as those of Matsec, are proof that the Gozitan students benefit from these services and facilities.

The Minister said that reading is one of the primary means of learning, although it is also favorite hobby for many people of all ages. In this context the Ministry for Gozo, through the service of the Public Library, give aid with financial and logistical support to the eleven libraries located in Gozo and another in Gozo General Hospital. They annually allocate about €200 to each library to be able to purchase new books.

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