Xaghra public library opened

Xaghra Public Library, named after missionary and educator Fr Gigi Camilleri, SJ, was officially opened during a midday ceremony a fortnight ago.

A Jesuit from Xaghra, Fr Camilleri spent 44 years as a missionary in India, where he was a high school headmaster for several years.

He also opened many other colleges, offering opportunities to young people to further their education. Students at the college he led obtained better results than other colleges in examinations held by Cambridge University.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Fr Gigi's brother Lawrence, and mayor Joseph Spiteri made short speeches. Dr Raymond Xerri presented the mayor with several copies of his publications and Fr Anthony Cilia, SJ, superior of the Jesuit community in Gozo, presented books from Fr Gigi's personal library.

Dr Gonzi then symbolically opened the door to the library and unveiled a plaque inside. Archpriest Carmelo Refalo blessed the premises.

Afterwards, two agreements were signed by the mayor - one with the Director of Libraries Philip Borg and the other with MCAST principal Frank Edwards - under which the two institutions will take over the running and maintenance of the library.

Mr Borg pointed out that Xaghra was one of the first two district lending libraries which opened in Gozo in the late Twenties. The other was in Nadur.

It means that the library and Fr Gigi were of the same 'age'. It had ceased to be a public lending library for some years but was revamped and given a new life ironically just a few months after his death.

As the guests mingled during the reception after the ceremony, children took over the eight computers to surf the Internet and play computer games.