Free Info on the Constitution
To bring the constitutional modernisation initiative to the people, constitutional research sections have been created in all of Cayman's public libraries.
The research sections, which are a joint initiative of the Constitutional Review Secretariat and the Cayman Islands' Public Libraries, will provide a wealth of information about the current review process, explained CRS Director Suzanne Bothwell.
"Libraries are an important link between society and information," she said. "Standing at the heart of communities, libraries are perfect for promoting this national exercise."
Visitors to the Islands' libraries will be able to pick up a free copy of the Constitution. They will also find a wide array of reference material on the subject of constitutional reform, including the 1999 Foreign and Commonwealth Office White Paper "Partnership for Progress and Prosperity - Britain and the Overseas Territory" which encouraged constitutional reform amongst all British Overseas Territories. Also available are the position papers on constitutional reform of both the United Democratic Party and the People's Progressive Movement; the 2002 Constitution Commissioners' Hansard Report; and a compilation of articles on constitutional review, published by the Cayman Islands Bar Association.
The stock of reference material will continue to grow as the constitutional review progresses, and regular visits to the constitutional section are encouraged: "We want people to read up on the history, the current issues and the process. It is vitally important that everyone gets involved and learns what constitutional reform is all about," said Mrs Bothwell.
She added that preparation is essential if people want to make meaningful contributions.
"Just as we plan for any other big event in our lives, we should spend time preparing ourselves for the debate on constitutional review."
The secretariat envisages that the creation of these constitutional sections will give people of all ages equal access to an important pool of knowledge. "Nobody should be excluded from this process," she said.
Commenting on the joint venture, Director of Public Libraries Benedicta Connolly, said: "Libraries are about spread knowledge, and we are glad to be partnering with the Constitutional Review Secretariat in facilitating information sharing with the public."
Mrs Connolly also reminded people that they could stop on their way home to pick up a copy of the Constitution. "Our libraries are open after 5:00 p.m., on weekdays, and we invite everyone to drop by as often as possible."
Library opening hours
- George Town:
- Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sat: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- East End:
- Mon & Tues: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Wed & Thurs: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Bodden Town:
- Mon, Tues, Thurs: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Wed: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm
- Fri: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- North Side:
- Mon & Thurs: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Tues & Wed: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Cayman Brac:
- Mon & Thurs: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Tues: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Wed: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
