television and videos. Reading is alive and well at the Bermuda Youth Library, where 9,184 members, from toddlers to teens, regularly patronise the newly re-carpeted facility in search of literary adventure.

"I don't feel pessimistic about TV because `bookworms' are going to read no matter what. I have lots of children who are never without a book,'' said Mrs.

Florenz Maxwell, who heads the Youth Library.

And small wonder Mrs. Maxwell is in celebratory mood, for August 1 marks the tenth anniversary of the Youth Library's move to the Church Street building -- a move she says followed a chance meeting with Lady Lully Gibbons, wife of then-Premier Sir David Gibbons.

"We were orinally destined to occupy the upstairs of this building,'' she said. "But when I saw that it was not accessible to everyone I turned it down. Then I met Mrs. Gibbons and she was instrumental in getting us this space.'' Specifically, "this space'' includes two spacious book-lined rooms with comfortable tables and chairs, an auditorium complete with stage for special events, picture book, technical services and staff rooms.

Although it is imbued with the traditional tranquil atmosphere peculiar to libraries, there is a lively undercurrent and sense of brightness about the place as young minds set about enjoying its many attractions, watched by the staff of four.

Fish tanks provide a fascinating diversion to the orderly rows of 30,000 books, and soon a new computer will be added allowing the children to enjoy computer games.

In addition to the regular business of borrowing books -- or stopping in to read them "on location,'' members enjoy a variety of events designed to stimulate -- and in some cases, rekindle -- interest in the Youth Library.

Over the years there have been contests, demonstrations, film and puppet shows, bedtime stories and budding author workshops. Some, like film shows, have been discontinued because the stories are now on video, but others, like bedtime stories, writing courses and reading contests, continue to be popular.

Mrs. Maxwell is now gearing up for the biennial creative writing course which was fully subscribed within two days of being announced.

"The course will run for two weeks, and 20 children aged eight to 16 will be taking part. They will study from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday,'' she said.

"They will learn how to plot and write a story, develop characters and setting,'' she explained.

Like real authors, the children also learn that the first draft is just that, and more work will have to be done polishing and re-writing before the work is finished.

"We keep the numbers to 20 because each child receives individual attention on this course, which is quite intensive,'' the librarian said.

Once the stories are completed, Mrs. Maxwell has them done up in book form and catalogued as part of the library so others may read them.

In addition, ballot sheets are made available in the library so readers can judge which stories are best. And to make sure votes are not stacked by fond relatives and friends, an independent panel also judges and votes on the stories, whose authors are unknown until the winners are announced.

Later in the year, after all the votes are tallied, there will be a special presentation party at which the winners will receive framed citations and book certificates, hopefully from well-known US author, Mr. Walter Dean Myers, a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King award for black authors/illustrators.

On alternate years, the librarian holds a summer book review contest, when youngsters contract to read and review a specific number of books. Again, there are prizes for the winners and standards are strict.

"If the reviews or the writing are sloppy, we send them back to be redone.

Some of the parents get angry with me, but I don't care. You have to set standards somewhere,'' Mrs. Maxwell said.

Since the library caters for young potential readers also, bedtime story parties, which the children attend in their pyjamas, have been a big hit.

"These are for very young children who cannot yet read themselves. We read to them and give them cookies afterwards,'' she said.

They are further involved in the library process by having to verbally re-tell Mrs. Maxwell stories which have been read to them. This teaches comprehension, and develop memory and listening skills.

Another feature with a purpose is the Dial-a-Story telephone service, the number for which available to Youth Library members on application. Stories are changed each Saturday. "(Apart from being entertaining), Dial-a-story helps them with language so it serves many purposes,'' Mrs. Maxwell observed.

Annual kite-making lessons not only ensure future preservation of an important part of Bermuda's culture, but encourage creativity.

"This year, I even learned to make a kite for the first time,'' Mrs. Maxwell confessed.

Mrs. Maxwell says she is proud of the way young readers have respected its facilities and rules over the decade. The old carpeting was recently replaced, the original furniture is as good as new and the books are also in good condition.

Part of the library rules include no eating, drinking or chewing gum on the premises. Violations are firmly but politely dealt with. Members also understand damaged or lost books must be paid for. There is no fine for overdue books, but those ignoring reminder notices, which include the books' prices, have their names put on a "stop list'' at both libraries preventing them from taking out books until the original problem is resolved.

As with all Government departments under budget restraints, the Youth Library's need for a computer is on hold -- but not Mrs. Maxwell, who is seeking other funding.

One such is a special quilt, which will be raffled later this year. It began as a series of fabric squares which were despatched to well-known authors abroad to be autographed. A handiworker is now re-embroidering the signatures on the squares, and the finished quilt will be "a real work of art''.

A self-confessed bookworm, Mrs. Maxwell joined the library service in 1969, and has headed the Youth Library since August 1, 1974. "I like everything about my job, but I like the creative side most. Coming up with new ideas is my thing,'' she said.

As for the future of the library, she said: "I feel very happy about the library, and very good about the members. There's also been an increase in families coming in to help the children choose books.'' HOORAY FOR BOOKS! Enthusiastic young readers revel in their summer book choices. The library has more than 9,000 members.

ONCE UPON A TIME -- Mrs. Florenz Maxwell, head of the Bermuda Youth Library, reads a story to from left, Chico Best-Burgess, Dikita Williams and Sashee Basden.