Jamaican MP wants to construct library

Author: Ingrid Borwn
Title: Smith laments absence of bauxite levy funds
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Monday, November 02, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20091101T190000-0500_162955_OBS_SMITH_LAMENTS_ABSENCE_OF_BAUXITE_LEVY_FUNDS.asp


Abstract
After a long discussion about what he sees as the problems in his constituency. Member of Parliament, Ernest Smith, mentions his plans to construct a new library in St. Ann South West, Jamaica.

Excerpt

Other plans high on the agenda, according to the MP, are for the construction of a public library in Alexandria and a new post office in Gibraltar.

"Within the next 12 months, I am hoping St Ann South Western will be on the verge of becoming a model constituency because I know I will get the library, the post office, the housing scheme, the hospital, the market, and the high school," he said.

National Commercial Bank Foundation Upgrades Jamaican High School library

Title: Upgraded computer centre for Titchfield High School
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Monday, November 2, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091102/news/news3.html

Abstract
The article reports on the results of the work done by a principal, school board, school librarian and other staff, in writing a proposal for an improved library and electronic resource facility. Their efforts lead to the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation sponsoring the upgrade of their facilities. Now due to their pursuit of their dream and vision to address the dissatisfaction with their library facility, they now have a well equipped library with "air conditioning, soft, comfortable chairs and Internet-ready computers".

Excerpt

Titchfield High School recently opened the doors to its newly upgraded computer and library centre in the presence of students, teachers, past students and members of the Port Antonio, Portland, community.

The project, which was funded by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation, began in 2007 and will benefit the school's population of 1,900 students. The new upgrades to the centre include an additional 12 computers, chairs, tables and bookshelves.

"For many years, not many persons were satisfied with the facility we had as a library," said Richard Thompson, principal of Titchfield High School. "One such dissatisfied person was Mrs Ivy McKenzie, our late principal. She spoke glowingly of a comfortable, spacious environment for her students to do research, with information available at their fingertips."

Jamaican Minister of Education calls for libraries to emphasize reading as a family activity

Author: Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness
Title:HON. MINISTER OF EDUCATION'S PARENT MONTH MESSAGE NOVEMBER 2009
Source Jamaica Information Service
Date: Monday, November 02, 2009
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/MinSpeeches/html/20091102T110000-0500_21728_JIS_HON__MINISTER_OF_EDUCATION_S_PARENT_MONTH_MESSAGE_NOVEMBER_2009.asp

Abstract
The Jamaican Minister of Education this month calls for libraries and schools to emphasize reading as a family activity. The Minister of Education in his Parent Month's message for November invites libraries and schools to find innovative ways of getting families to read or work on developing literacy skills in their children. The Minister of Education also outlines some of the plans for the month, including the Jamaica Library Service hosting a National Reading Fair. The emphasis or the aim for this Parent month is to encourage parents to assist schools and libraries in the literacy development of their children.



Excerpt
During this Parent Month, being staged under the theme - Parent the Right Way - Read with Your Child Every Day - we are asking all of our schools, libraries, churches and civic organizations to stress the importance of family literacy. We encourage you to stage family literacy events inviting parents to sit with their children and explore a book together.

We are asking you to encourage families to join the Library Service and make visits to the local library a regular family event. We are asking you to find creative ways to increase the amount of print material available at school and in the community - maybe do a project where inspirational words are printed on walkways. Model reading in school, ensure that parents model reading at home. Create word trees by writing vocabulary words from stories on card paper and hanging them from trees in your yard. At school create class books where each child makes up a line of a story and illustrates their words. Have students read their stories to the other classes. Dedicate a specific time each day or each week to have all members of school staff "drop everything and read." Most importantly share creative reading ideas with parents so that they too can make reading fun for their children at home.

During this month, let us seize the opportunity to bring our parents into the fold and encourage them to make reading a priority in their homes. On Saturday November 28th, 2009, the Jamaica Library Service will hold its annual Reading Fair, we are encouraging Jamaican families to help us make that the National Family Reading Day by making a concerted effort to read with their children.

Branch library workers go door to door in Barbados

Author: (YB)[Yvette Best?]
Title: Branch workers going door to door
Source: Barbados Nation News
Date published: October 24, 2009
URL: http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/COMMUNITY-library-canvas-copy-for-web


Abstract:
The article outlines the new marketing strategy for the Barbados Public branch library to increase the use of its library services. This involves canvassing the community like politicians.

The librarian outlines how this strategy will be undertaken, and the rationale behind it. One of the obstacles to the use of the new library facility is also articulated. The acting library directory also indicates a plan to overcome that obstacle.

The article also gives the age of the Barbados Public library service and reports on its current expansion and improvement in infrastructure.


Excerpt:

STAFF OF the Barbados Library Service are preparing to hit the road.

Acting Director of the Barbados Library Service, Avonda Callender, said she and her staff would be canvassing the districts in St Joseph to get people to use the new facilities at Tamarind Hall in the Eric Holder Jr. Complex.

"We're going out there, foot to foot. This is the first time the library will do it. It's a new marketing strategy we're introducing and we are going to do it in St Joseph.

Trinidad and Tobago's Carnegie Library — a proud legacy

Author: Aruna Harbaran
Title: Carnegie Library — a proud legacy
Date Published: 23 October 2009
URL: http://guardian.co.tt/commentary/letters/2009/10/23/carnegie-library-proud-legacy

Abstract:

A letter sent to the paper by a librarian discussing the age of the Carnegie library, its mission, and how it has been serving the society.

Excerpt:

Carnegie Free Library is 90 years old (1919-2009) and still going strong. What an incredible achievement! During this time it has served to fill more than the information needs of the southern community.

Not enough staff for Barbados library system

Author: Yvette Best
Title: Not enough staff for library needs
Source:
Date Published: 10/24/2009.
URL: http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/COMMUNITY-library-staff-shortage-copy-for-web

Abstract:
Article reports on how staff shortage is curtailing the library's service to the community and society.

Information is also given about how the use of the library has changed especially with the advent of computers.

The article also outlines some of the programmes and services that the Barbados public library system offers, thereby revealing one area of the library system's strength. However the article also outlines that diversification of the services and programmes is also curtailed by the shortage of staff.


Excerpt:

A SHORTAGE OF STAFF is preventing the Barbados Library Service from fully completing its mandate.

Acting director of the Barbados Library Service, Avonda Callender, said the current complement of 37 was insufficient for the eight branch libraries.

"There is a problem . . . Government has to provide the staffing. So we are trying to introduce new services with the limited staff. We cannot provide half the services that we really would like to do," she said.

US Embassy gives to a Jamaican School Library

Title: US Embassy gives Mona High Library a boost
Source: Jamaica Observer's Teenage
Date Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20091012T200000-0500_161659_OBS_US_EMBASSY_GIVES_MONA_HIGH_LIBRARY_A_BOOST.asp

Abstract:
This article reports on donations that the United States Embassy in Kingston made to a Jamaican high school. Included in the reported are some examples of the resources that were donated.

The article also reports on the embassy's Information Resource Centre (IRC) and the type of serivces and information it provides.


Excerpt:

The US Embassy in Kingston gave the Mona High School a boost last Wednesday, when the embassy presented the school with a brand new desktop computer and laser printer, as well as over 120 books.

The gifts earmarked for the school's library, includes titles from the Scholastic Secondary Ambassador collection among other books.