Logos Hope Brings Floating Library to BVI
The world’s largest floating book fair, Logos Hope, docked in Tortola over the weekend, giving hundreds of BVI students free access to more than 5,000 affordable books. The ship is open to the public at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and organisers say the visit supports literacy and school library development across the territory.
TORTOLA — Hundreds of students traded classrooms for books this weekend when Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, berthed at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park for a several-day visit to the British Virgin Islands. The ship, carrying more than 5,000 titles and a crew of roughly 350 people from 65 countries, opened its decks to primary and secondary students from across the territory.
Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe said she was impressed by the turnout and the value of the visit for local schools. "This is amazing... I’m just glad that they have opened their doors to our children," Crabbe said, noting the unusually low prices on many books and the opportunity for the Ministry to buy affordable titles for schools.
Logos Hope — on its 154th port call and part of a global tour that has welcomed more than 50 million visitors since 1970 — is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. while in the BVI. Managing Director Decio de Carvalho told The Daily News the ship's mission extends beyond selling books. "Beyond the book fair, we also have lots of groups that go onshore and work along communities, churches, government entities, schools and volunteer organisations, to serve, collaborate and meet people and offer knowledge, help and hope," he said.
Carvalho added that the government invited the ship to dock via an official letter and that Logos Hope has been visiting Caribbean islands for about a year. Teachers and school leaders brought students in groups to explore the ship’s inventory. Little Rainbow School principal Carla Kisnasammy brought 17 children from Virgin Gorda and said the event fuels curiosity and future learning. "These books are actually the future for the children," she said.
Senior students and book lovers also attended; Elmore Stoutt High School 12th grader Caroline Rayan described the fair as "fun and interesting. It brings people together." Education Officer Janice George-Harris, who previously visited Logos Hope in Antigua and Barbuda, said the selection is carefully chosen and well suited for different grade levels.
She urged schools and community groups to consider using the visit as an affordable way to build school and class libraries. Residents can visit Logos Hope at the pier park through Wednesday, with prices on many books comparable to the cost of a soda — an opportunity local educators say could help expand access to reading materials across the territory.
Primary source: Virgin Islands Daily News (Website)