PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) launched the "Alice and Lionel Romney African Diaspora Memorial Collection" on February 27, 2014, before invited guests, including Minister of Education Patricia Lourens-Philip.
Author and collection presenter Mary Romney, said that her parents, "Alice and Lionel Romney, shared a St. Maarten heritage. They shared with me their profound love of St. Maarten, books, learning and education. I thought that through this collection I could give my parents a presence in St. Maarten that would honor their memory." The collection contains over 500 DVDs and books.
According to library director Monique Alberts, "In the past two years Mary Romney worked meticulously and with great dedication on the collection of books and DVDs. This collection is a welcome addition to our current collection. Black History books should be studied throughout the year and be an integral part of each school and curriculum. I think this collection will certainly contribute to this ideal."
In his address, Dr. Francio Guadeloupe, dean of the University of St. Martin, spoke about the "Black Atlantic Cultures" as "a moral compass in our current Babel."
The evening was moderated by educator Dr. Maria Cijntje-van Enckevort and started off with the singing of the "St. Martin Song" by Morenika Charles-Arrindell, public relations and activities manager at PJL.
The evening program included a poetry recital of "History Lesson" and "Equation Explanation" by Andrew Peterson, a St. Dominic high school student.
After the presentation, guests were invited to view the unveiling of the "Alice & Lionel Romney Memorial African Diaspora Collection" by Minister Lourens-Philip, Mary Romney, and Monique Alberts.
The Mighty Dow and Ebony Steel orchestra ended the evening with a medley of songs to the delight of the audience.
PJL Press Release
