College Library is leading the way, raising the standard and pioneering the advancement of local libraries.

Soft spoken Daurene Aubrey who heads up one of Bermuda College's greatest assets, is genuinely excited about her work and eager to see the facility grow. Keeping abreast of the latest developments in libraries, Ms. Aubrey is trying to ensure the Bermuda College Library is doing all it can to provide as much material and as much access to material as it possibly can.

In July, the Bermuda College Library will be offering members, use of EBSCOHOST, an internet database which will allow immediate access to well over 2000 periodicals and magazines in full text.

A $30,000 investment by the Bermuda College, will make the facility available.

"It's an excellent service!'' boasts Ms Aubrey, "It is one of the ways we can get material on a timely basis, which is so important for us as a library that cannot accommodate as many books as we need to have.'' The added benefit of this service is that members will be able to access the information from their home computers as well.

Also under investigation by Ms Aubrey and her team, is the setting up of a consortium with libraries overseas. "This would allow access to libraries of all kinds'' she explained, "we could borrow books from libraries overseas in a more efficient and faster rate than we currently are able to.'' Despite having spent $40,000 on books last year Ms Aubrey advised "The bottom line is, this library collection needs to grow.'' Part of the challenges with building the collection is a physical lack of space, but Ms Aubrey noted that expansion is in the future "There are plans to expand the library as we move toward a four year programme.'' Operating longer hours and more days a week than any other library on the island including the Government Main Library, Ms Aubrey is chuffed that she and her team are able to meet the demands not only of their students, but of the wider local community as well.

"Many people prefer to use this library because of parking, it may seem a simple thing, but in Hamilton if you have to keep checking your car to avoid parking tickets, it can be a problem.'' she maintained.

The growing Bermuda College Library employs more students than any other department of the College. In September a special Systems Librarian will join the staff. The Systems Librarian will oversee all the Library's computer operations and help with developing the collection.

The constraints of finances to a large extent, dictate what can and cannot happen at the Bermuda College Library. To this end a group called Friends of the College Library was formed and works as the fund raising arm to aid the Library's aims.

Friends of the College Library have managed to raise enough money for two new computers and they are responsible for the very successful lecture series and the Sunday afternoon film and tea event.

The Bermuda College Library is open seven days a week (and remember, those are not only the longest hours of any library on the Island, but they also represent the only Sunday opening of a Bermuda Library.) Lifetime memberships are available for just $25.

BERMUDA COLLEGE EDC