JKPL pushing through with digital village

At the request of Gov. Eloy S. Inos, the Joeten Kiyu Public Library is pushing ahead with its state-of-the art digital village that will provide a 21st century technology and amphitheater for both the young and old to utilize.

JKPL executive director John Gonzales said the first draft of the building design has been expanded and they will be presenting the revised blueprint and the estimated project cost to Inos. He didn’t specifically say when he would meet with the governor but it will be anytime soon.

“We’re actually waiting to meet with the governor to present him the revised concept and the cost analysis of a modified version for a larger digital village complex and amphitheater center and we are waiting for that per his request,” Gonzales said.

The project was originally planned to include an 85-seat amphitheater but this has been expanded to about three times the size to 250 seats that will be situated on both the first and second floors of the amphitheater.

The proposed digital village will also have its own multimedia center that will have rooms for radio, broadcasting, video production, audio and music recording that will provide the opportunities to nurture imaginative, innovative, and creative thinking.

“We should be meeting with him fairly soon, along with the library’s board and myself, and we’re very excited because it is a project he endorsed and supports 100 percent unconditionally and the possibilities of providing our community with multimedia access in line with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the U.S Congress’ reauthorization of the Library State Technology Act to integrate 21st technology skills with traditional library practices and that is for the whole CNMI,” Gonzales said.

He noted that the amphitheater could be used for conventions and meetings for any business or organization but they are targeting the Northern Marianas College and the Public School System as the primary beneficiaries.

According to Gonzales, the digital village will also have built-in solar panels on the rooftop as part of the library’s cost saving strategies.

“This will target the community’s innovative thinking so we can facilitate interactive 21st century learning,” Gonzales said.