A United States-based electrical engineer with Barbadian roots has donated 10 HP all-in-one computers to the National Library Service to enable more Barbadians to have greater access to technology.
The devices were officially handed over by Mikhail Smith to Acting Deputy Director of the Library Service, Beverley Archer, and Data Processing Manager, Emmerton Banfield, during a presentation at the Library’s Fairchild Street, Bridgetown headquarters, yesterday.
The donation was made possible through his I Give Because I Can Campaign and his attorney, Liz-Ann Taylor, who works behind the scenes to identify potential recipients.
Thanking Mr. Smith for the donation, Ms. Archer added: “We hope that what transpires today (yesterday) will inspire others to take action to improve the circumstances of others in a positive manner.”
The Acting Deputy Director noted that there are seven branch libraries across the island with friendly and courteous staff waiting to meet the needs of all Barbadians. Of this number, three branches – Valley, St. George; Speightstown, St. Peter, and Holetown, St. James – were celebrating anniversaries this year, and among them, have accumulated 246 years of service to the community.
“I urge you to visit and lend your support to these beacons in our community. The National Library Service exists to serve your educational and informational needs, in all formats,” she said.
Mr. Smith, a former student of Wesley Hall Primary, who migrated to the United States as a pre-teen to continue his studies in high school and later at Manhattan Borough College, where he pursued Electrical Engineering, spoke of his love for giving back to the community.
He described his philanthropic efforts as an honourable obligation passed on from his father, Vincent Smith; late grandmother Peggy Carmichael, and adoptive mother, Waple Scantlebury.
“By me giving is just to send a message that you don’t have to be rich; you don’t have to be middle class…. Just give and you shall receive in the smallest way possible by somebody opening the door for you. It means so much to me when I can put a smile on some one’s face; it just makes my day. By giving these computers to the library …it’s just a gift from the heart,” he said.