The Athalie Petersen public library closed December 16, 2016 and has never reopened. 980 days ago (and counting). As a result residents of the Frederiksted community are deprived of:
- Access to public computer centers.
- Access to educational, professional, and employment resources.
- Homework centers for students.
- Meeting space for community organizations and entrepreneurs.
- Cooling center during extreme heat for the most vulnerable residents.
The Frederiksted historic district is the poorest community in the Virgin Islands. According to the 2010 Census data the average household income falls below the federal poverty level of $12,000. More disturbingly, 53 percent of adults 18 or older are unemployed. The lack of proximity and access to a viable library limits the upward mobility of residents who are chronically vulnerable and underserved through a lack of access to information.
Clean Sweep Frederiksted has identified space at the Frederiksted Mall, owned and managed by the Public Finance Authority, that can serve as a small community library until the Petersen library is repaired and reopened. We have community stakeholders who are ready to mobilize, provide books and other services to transform this space into a temporary library.
Please show your support for this initiative by signing this petition. Our collective voices will send a strong message to the Government of the Virgin Islands (DPNR, PFA, viNGN, and VI Legislature) we want a library as well as demand better for the historic district.
