The Adult Education Division opened its doors to book lovers on Friday, September 11, for its annual Book Fair at its office on Kennedy Avenue, an event held as part of the activities marking Literacy Day.
Carol White, Head of the Adult Education Division, said the fair forms part of the division's continuing effort to promote reading and lifelong learning across Dominica. The event brought together members of the public, educators and literacy advocates in a shared celebration of books and the written word.
The book fair is one of the division's established annual activities, timed to coincide with Literacy Day, which is observed internationally to highlight the importance of reading and writing skills. The division has long used the occasion to draw attention to adult literacy and to encourage residents of all ages to make reading a regular part of daily life.
By hosting the fair at its own office, the division made its resources and programmes visible to the community it serves, offering visitors a chance to browse titles and learn more about the literacy support available through the Adult Education Division.
Literacy Day activities in Dominica typically extend beyond a single event, with the division working throughout the year to reach adults who wish to improve their reading, writing and numeracy skills. The book fair serves both as a celebration and as a reminder that learning does not end with formal schooling.
White's remarks underscored the division's view that reading is a foundation for personal development, employment prospects and full participation in community life. The fair was open to the public, drawing readers and supporters of literacy to the Kennedy Avenue office.
The Adult Education Division operates under the Ministry of Education and is responsible for programmes aimed at adults who wish to continue their education, upgrade their skills or gain qualifications they may have missed earlier in life. Its work complements the broader education system by offering second chances and flexible learning opportunities.
Events such as the annual book fair help sustain public interest in reading in a small island community where access to books and learning materials matters greatly. The division has consistently used Literacy Day to renew its appeal to the public to value reading and to take advantage of the services it provides.
The fair also provided an opportunity for the division to engage directly with residents, answer questions about its programmes and encourage enrolment in adult education courses. Staff were on hand to welcome visitors and share information about the division's offerings.
Literacy Day is marked each year with activities designed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those with low literacy levels and to celebrate the progress made in improving reading skills. The Adult Education Division's book fair remains a central part of that observance in Dominica.
With the fair now concluded, the division is expected to continue its regular programme of classes and outreach across the island, building on the interest generated by the event. Readers and prospective learners can contact the Adult Education Division at its Kennedy Avenue office for further details on available courses and services.
