The Public Library at Gozo Cathedral started to serve the public thirty years ago. This anniversary has been celebrated by an international meeting that was held between the 22nd and 25th of October 2009.

Twenty delegates, seven from Gozo, two from Germany, three from Italy, one from Latvia, two from Lithuania, three from Norway, and two from Turkey participated in a project that was coordinated by Akademie Klausenhof of Germany. This project was being funded from the Grundtvig programme of the European Union, which is a programme for lifelong learning.

The Cathedral library welcomed the invitation of the Akademie Klausenhof to take part in a project called Rebel – Reading between the lines. This programme aims to promote learning among adults and also addresses the needs of those who for some reason have not had the opportunity to acquire basic qualifications.

The participating organisations discussed how to adopt systems of basic education among specific groups in their society such as people living in the countryside that have difficulties with access to education. Gozo Cathedral Library proposes to establish a section of books in foreign languages that also promote reading skills among immigrants from different countries. It also helps in the process of integrating these people into society.

Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, inaugurated the first round of discussions held at the Convent of Sant’Wistin in Victoria which was coordinated by Dr Joseph Bezzina. The Minister explained how such initiatives are enjoyed by Gozo through the membership of the European Union. She stressed the importance to be given to lifelong learning and how such programmes as Gruntvig may be helpful to many people. “Through such projects and other initiatives, Gozo enjoys funds and other assistance that goes beyond the aid allocated for infrastructure projects,” Minister Debono concluded.

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