This project was born in the idea that the Caribbean-American presence and culture is not fully represented at the international agencies in the Washington, DC area. The collective initiative of our people must revolve around more than a Carnival. Assumptions on our intellectual capital must be fortified with tangible projects that figure prominently in these places. This project must dispel the notions of our Caribbean Nobel laureates: Naipaul’s "we are a nation that denies itself heroes," and Walcott’s "[the Caribbean is] a place to flee seriousness."

The effort to contribute to the Collection must not be seen solely as an institutional one--the Trinidad and Tobago Association's thing--but encompassing a national effort by diaspora and native citizens and groups. Embassies can and should be encouraged to contribute their nationals’ books to the Collection. As such, the Collection must be an ongoing effort to grow the capacity for Caribbean content to a reasonable ratio against non-Caribbean/Latin American books. The impetus is to balance the ratio, not so much in terms of absolute numbers, but more in terms of total regional/national output.

The Virtual Library consists of the Caribbean Online Collection of Rare Books as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Heritage Project available for viewing at various locations via portals, and online. Ultimately, the portals will allow for viewing and listening of Caribbean musical and cultural output.