By the Foresee Foundation
At the library, families and students now experience literacy as a path to personal growth and a shared community bond. The community is beginning to embrace the institution as their own – an inclusive home where everyone can point and say, “’Tis we thing.”
Programs like “D.E.A.R.” bring everyone together – from early learners to seniors, around a shared appreciation for stories. The program connects young readers with island authors. Through “Library at School”, reading consultants bring carefully chosen collections straight into local classrooms, helping early learners build habits that carry over into the home. “Cyber Seniors” empowers older residents to navigate digital health tools and online banking independently, while “World Literacy Day” offers them a chance to exchange cherished memories during “Book Dating”.
The library is also bringing literature directly into spaces beyond Philipsburg, working to establish a new facility within Point Blanche Prison and stocking Rotary’s Little Free Libraries. Youth membership costs nothing, and digital titles remain accessible around the clock through the Libby app and the Koninklijke Bibliotheek app.
The devastation of Hurricane Irma reminded the library just how vulnerable the island’s shared heritage truly is. When parts of its archive were destroyed in 2017, priceless chapters of the island’s story disappeared. Its remaining archive, especially local writing, keeps alive the lived experiences and local perspectives that official documents often overlook. Working alongside the Sint Maarten National Heritage Foundation & Museum and fellow libraries across the Dutch Caribbean and the Netherlands, it is taking steps to digitize these archives and widen public access.
Collaborations are essential to its core mission. While the institution serves as an anchor for the community, addressing every educational and social need requires collective effort. These joint efforts allow its initiatives to extend far beyond what it could accomplish in isolation. D.E.A.R. united its team with the CLIMB Foundation and the National Literacy Movement, transforming literacy into a vibrant, multi-generational experience.
Physical space is its primary constraint. Capacity limits restrict its ability to broaden offerings and welcome the growing number of visitors seeking its resources. Construction on its new facility is underway. It will support self-development and community learning through modern technology, a dedicated Heritage Hub, and spaces to read, study, meet and create. Above all, the library wants the facility to be inviting and inclusive to everyone: Toddlers, teenagers, seniors, and people of all abilities.
Community members can register for membership, contribute as volunteers and share personal memories of the island. Businesses and organizations can collaborate on a joint project, fund digital tools for older residents, sponsor dedicated adolescent programming or contribute to expanding specialized collections and safeguarding the island’s heritage.
The St. Maarten library continues to serve the island: ’Tis we thing.
Visit library.sx, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call +1 721-542-2970.
