In an effort to preserve the Calypso art form and provide an avenue for young persons to express themselves creatively, the Public Libraries Division of Nalis will host Calypso Research Skills Workshops and three Inter Library Calypso Competitions.

The workshops will be facilitated by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and are intended to teach participants how to conduct research using credible sources. The skills learned in this workshop can be applied to any subject area or discipline. The workshops will take place simultaneously at the Port of Spain Young Adult Library and the Arima Public Library on February 10 at 9:00 a.m.

The Calypso competitions will be adjudged in the seven to nine, ten to 12, and 13 to 17 age groups and held at the Maloney Public Library (February 9 at 9:00 a.m.), the Arima Public Library (February 14 at 1:00 p.m.) and at the Amphitheatre, National Library (February 15 at 1:00 p.m.). Participants from the Arima and Sangre Grande libraries will perform at the Arima Public Library; participants from Maloney library and North Region Mobile Libraries will perform at the Maloney Public Library and participants from the St. James, Diego Martin and Port of Spain Young Adult libraries will perform at the National Library.

As we celebrate 50 years of Independence this year, the focus will be on nation building lyrics. Competitors are required to explore Nalis’ comprehensive Heritage Collection for information on achievements since Independence. The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) will provide the judges for the competitions.

The Public Libraries Division invites participants including those young people in the rural areas who are served by the mobile libraries to be a part of this nation building library outreach activity.