Funding issues have forced the National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) to ask its staff to bring their own drinking water and toilet supplies to work.
The request was made by Nalis Executive Director Catherine Romain in a memo sent to all staff yesterday morning.
In the memo, which was shared on social media, Romain reminded staff that the organisation was experiencing challenges in maintaining its operations due to the shortage of funds.
“Consequently, measures are ongoing to ensure that we stay afloat and survive this rough patch,” Romain said.
According to Romain, the organisation spends approximately $6,552 per month on purified water for staff. She said Nalis would stop this arrangement from June 3.
In terms of toilet paper and hand tissue, Romain said it would continue to purchase supplies once funding is available. However, she still advised staff to walk with their own in the event that supplies run short, as was the case yesterday.
“I apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding in this “guava season”. Please note that I appreciate your ongoing cooperation as we strive for survival in these trying times,” Romain said.
Romain’s memo did not state if the issue was limited to Nalis’ headquarters at the National Library in Port-of-Spain or extended to its over 20 public libraries across T&T.
Contacted yesterday, Communications Minister Stuart Young said he was not aware of the memo until after it was circulated.
“I found this memo and its contents disturbing and immediately requested that the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications make an official enquiry of the Executive Director. Neither the Permanent Secretary nor myself were apprised of any situation warranting this memo,” he said.
He also suggested that it may have been erroneous.
“The preliminary report that I have received suggests that this memo may have been ill-advised and I am awaiting the provision of documentation,” Young stated.