2004 Press Releases

First “AMERICAN CORNER” in Latin America opened in Tobago

June 22, 2004

United States Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin and Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House Assembly Cynthia Alfred on June 9 inaugurated the first stage of the “American Corner” at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School in Tobago. This American Corner, in Tobago, is the first to be established in the entire Latin America and Caribbean region.

The “American Corner” comprises a collection of books and computers, valued at US 35,000 and will be temporarily housed at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School, where part of the collection of the National Scarborough Library is located until the new state-of-the-art Library is completed at the Scarborough Mall.

The computers located in the “American Corner” are state-of-the-art and will allow on-line research and unfettered access to the Internet, also available is a “Clear View 700 Magnifier” which enlarges text and graphics for visually impaired persons. This computer includes “JAWS for Windows”(JFW), a software program that uses synthetic speech technology to verbalize screen output for computer users who are blind.

Starting in Russia in 2000, the U.S. Department of State has been funding small libraries in various countries to allow local citizens ready access to knowledge about the United States through literature and electronic information, hence the name “American Corner.” “American Corners” are not just for reading and research. Embassy Officers will visit with the people of Tobago on a monthly basis to discuss important issues of mutual benefit to our two countries. The American Corner will, also, provide Consular Officers with a place to discuss visa issues with Tobagonians.

Approximately sixty persons representing various sections of the community were in attendance. These included Frank Lawrence, Protocol Officer from the Tobago House Assembly; Annette Wallace, Director of Public Libraries, NALIS; Stacey Rose-Blass, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy; Helen Johnson, Librarian at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School and Dr. Audrie Armstrong, Chairman of the Tobago Library Committee.

The American Corner is free and open to everyone during regular Library hours.