All parish libraries except the main library in St Elizabeth, are now open to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has advised that the Greater Portmore Branch has incurred severe damage.

In a media release on Tuesday (July 9), the JLS stated: “The violent winds associated with Hurricane Beryl have stripped the facility of its roofing, resulting in its closure to the public until further notice. The Greater Portmore branch serves 6,587 members from surrounding communities, and its closure has
impacted the local populace significantly,”

The JLS is rescheduling planned summer programs for around 2,000 youth across six regions due to infrastructural challenges. According to the JLS, the Ministry of Education and Youth is working to ensure the safety of patrons and staff and is addressing these issues to prevent further deterioration.

The JLS shared that staff members across the network remain actively engaged in recovery efforts, with the primary focus on securing high-value property, such as computers, printers, and book collections to minimise further loss.