American Corner MOU renewed

U.S. Embassy and Cultural Center of Suriname renew Memorandum of Understanding; Open House to be held February 4, 2016

PARAMARIBO—U.S. Ambassador Edwin R. Nolan and Chair of the Board of the Cultural Center of Suriname Ms. Nadia Becker renewed the memorandum of understanding Tuesday morning, January 26, for the housing of the American Corner Paramaribo at CCS.  The renewal extends the agreement through December 2017.

An Open House is planned for Thursday, February 4, 12:00 – 14:00 hrs.  The public is invited to visit the American Corner and learn about the services and materials it provides.  During the Open House, visiting Information Resource Officer Wendy Zaman will give a presentation on “Research on the Web: Evaluating Online Sources,” and will demonstrate the resources available via Internet in the American Corner.  Visitors to the Open House will be able to register for an American Corner membership card allowing them to check out books and other materials.

“We would like to see more secondary and university students take advantage of the American Corner and the educational resources it provides,” said Public Affairs Officer Melissa Quartell. “We have changed our opening times to include more afternoon hours when students have time to work on assignments.”

The American Corner in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy is also hosting an Environmental Film Festival January 28 – February 26, 2016, with morning screenings for schools on Thursdays and Fridays and public screenings every Friday evening.

The American Corner was established at CCS in 2005.  It houses computers with internet access; a collection of English language fiction, non-fiction, and reference books; audiobooks; American films, and English language learning resources.  Patrons may use the internet, check out reading and research materials, and participate in EducationUSA advising sessions and English language lessons.  The American Corner presents monthly American Movie Nights at the Eddy Wesselszaal and presents other educational and cultural programs as opportunities arise.  The services are free and open to the public.

The American Corner is managed by Coordinator Sifra Lewis and is located on the second floor of CCS.  It is open Monday and Wednesday 8:30 – 13:00 hrs. and Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 11:00 – 18:00 hrs.  For more information on the American Corner and its programs, contact Public Affairs Officer Melissa Quartell at quartellml@state.gov.