The 99th anniversary of Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) is indeed an important milestone (see related story), not in the last place because it means a century of existence can be celebrated next year. The launch of a new name, logo, website and credit card-size library card gave the occasion added significance.
A name-change to St. Maarten Library indicating that it’s not just for Philipsburg makes sense, although at the expense of some nostalgia also regarding the former reference to then-Queen Wilhelmina’s Silver Jubilee on November 23, 1923, the date PJL was established. Today’s satellite locations at Cay Hill and Belvedere are more evidence of library serving the entire country.
However, what everyone really wants to know about is a proposed new building on the same spot as the one severely damaged by the hurricanes of September 2017. It is now supposed to become a reality on or before the 102nd anniversary in 2025.
Three years ago, in November 2019, reports stated that the facility would cost an estimated US $18 million, of which $10 million was requested from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund managed by the World Bank, with $2.1 million to come from insurance proceeds and $643,880 from funds owed by government. It was also to house the St. Maarten Museum and St. Maarten Archaeological Center Simarc, while the 500-seat auditorium café would serve as “hub” for National Institute of Arts (NIA), Charlotte Brookson Academy (CBA) and Philipsburg Community Center.
The four-story structure with lower-level parking was to be called National Cultural Heritage Center. In addition to the current plot in leasehold until 2042, government was asked to transfer two small pieces of adjacent public land to accommodate the project.
Surveys to get feedback on requirements a modern-day library should meet were even held, particularly among students, parents, teachers and others involved in education. To what extent these plans are still valid is not clear, but the intention back then had been to open the new complex in 2023, to which “hopefully at the beginning of that year” was added.
The latter is obviously no longer feasible and whether 2025 will prove such remains to be seen. Until construction starts, target dates usually offer little certainty.
Nevertheless, a process is underway to give the country a library facility it needs and deserves. The original founders must not be forgotten in all of this, because without their foresight and effort none of this would have been possible.
