CNMI Library Council Chairman Jose T. Limes said he is pleased to say that “the new omnibus appropriations law, [P.L. 17-55 or the CNMI FY 2012 Appropriations Act] indubitably demonstrates the renewed unconditional and unfettered support of the entire 17th Legislature and the Fitial-Inos administration toward education and for educational institutions CNMI-wide in all our public libraries, including Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Rota Public Library, Tini’an Public Library, and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, and the NMI State Library.”
He added, “The long hours and valuable time spent between the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library management providing hard data and justifications for restored hours and the respective Rota and Tinian Legislative Delegations, as well as the able Senate Fiscal Chair Sen. Jovita Taimanao and House Ways & Means Chair Rep. Ramon S. Basa prove that education and our community are the ultimate clear beneficiaries.”
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library executive director John Oliver Gonzales said the extended and restored 40 hours operation per week became possible through the favorable and overwhelming unanimous support and approval of lawmakers and the administration.
“We highlight for the first time ever in NMI history the basic, albeit bare and full staffing for all CNMI-wide public libraries. As a lasting legacy, this Legislature and administration proudly and without reservations clearly and absolutely support our public libraries as essential educational institutions and in order to preserve their [federal] maintenance of effort requirements just like [the Public School System and Northern Marianas Collage],” Gonzales said.
“The expanded hours will help us open and be accessible to more patrons into the evenings who go to college and/or work. Clearly a win-win for all,” he said.
Beginning this week, he added, library patrons on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan will benefit from basic staffing, expanded library hours, diverse offerings of comprehensive library collections, and new family-centered lifelong literacy activities and programs.
For more information please contact the Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Rota Public Library at 532-9451, the Tinian Public Library at 433-0504, or the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library at 235-READ (7323) or 7322, or visit www.cnmilibrary.com.
