Caribbean Law librarians praised, urged to speak out

Author: SC [Shawn Cumberbatch]
Title: Law librarians praised, urged to speak out
Source: The Barbados Advocate
Date: 23 June, 2009

URL: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=4430

Abstract:

The article reports on the Attorney-General of Barbados, Freundel Stuart's commendation of the profession of law librarians at the opening of 24th annual general meeting and seminar of the Caribbean Association of Law Libraries. The meeting was held at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Stuart on this occasion contrasts the poor image that law librarians have with the important role and work that they play in the legal field. The Attorney-General also called on law librarians to be more vocal and active in improving their image.

In this article, a definition of "law librarian" is also articulated. In addition, it provides a brief description of some of the activities that law librarians do on a daily basis to provide information for their clients.

Excerpt:

GOVERNMENT’S chief legal spokesman wants law librarians to speak out on matters affecting their profession.

Attorney-General (AG) Freundel Stuart said with law librarians often taken for granted by their clients, they need to let their voices by heard more.

Barbados Court library compromised

Author: Shawn Cumberbatch
Title: Court library compromised
Source: The Barbados Advocate
Date: 23 June, 2009

URL: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=4433

Abstract:

This article reports on the need for the training of librarians in book preservation. This issue came up out during the official opening of the 24th Annual General Meeting and seminar of the Caribbean Association of Law Librarians. The meeting took place at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

The issues were higlighted by both Chief Justice Sir David Simmons and Attorney-General Freundel Stuart of Barbados. The two raised the issue that the premier law library of the island is suffering the destruction of library materials due to hostile environmental conditions. The article stresses the conclusion drawn that there is need for funding and training in preservation and conservation issues. In addition, Cumberbatch reports that the solution that the authorities will be pursuing to address the problem is to to secure funding from the Inter-American Development Bank for the project of library and library material restoration.



Excerpt:

ENVIRONMENTAL problems, including mould and fungus, have cost Barbados’ highest domestic court a “substantial” amount of its library material.

Chief Justice (CJ) Sir David Simmons disclosed yesterday that authorities were now looking to secure funding from the Inter-American Development Bank, as part of its Justice Improvement Programme with the island, to significantly restore the large volume of legal books and other important reading material housed in the 278-year-old Supreme Court library.

2010 International Conference on Information Resources Management (Conf-IRM)

Event: 2010 International Conference on Information Resources Management (Conf-IRM)
Location/Venue: Rose Hall Resort & Spa, A Hilton Resort, Jamaica, W.I.,
Sponsor/Institution: Mona School of Business at the University of the West Indies.
Date: May 18, 2010 – May 20, 2010
URL: http://ocs.mona.uwi.edu/ocs/index.php/Conf-IRM/2010

Excerpt:
The 2010 International Conference on Information Resources Management (Conf-IRM) will be held at the Rose Hall resort & Spa located in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on May 18 - 20, 2010. The conference will be convened by the Mona School of Business at the University of the West Indies.

PM responds to 5 year-old's plea for a library

Author: Dunkley, Alicia
Title: "PM responds to 5 year-old's plea for a library"
Source: Jamaica Observer (jamaicaobserver.com)
Date Published: Monday, June 08, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090608T020000-0500_153049_OBS_PM_RESPONDS_TO___YEAR_OLD_S_PLEA_FOR_A_LIBRARY_.asp


Abstract:

A five-year-old lad who wrote a letter when he was four, requesting that the Prime Minister (PM) sponsored his school a school library gets his desire. The PM responds donating 400 books to the school for a school library. The PM also pledged to give further assistance for the establishment of a "proper library".

Excerpt:

Jaiden's latest exploit was a letter authored by him when he was four years old with a plea powerful enough to bring Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding to his school in Freetown, Clarendon with 400 books in tow last Friday.

Up to then, everyone but Jaiden had forgotten about the letter, which his parents had posted just to humour him.

National Library looking to expand current services

Author: Narine, Vanessa
Title: National Library looking to expand current services
Source: Guyana Chronicle Online
Date Published: Thursday, 14 May 2009 13:58
URL:
http://guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1547:national-library-looking-to-expand-current-services&catid=2:news&Itemid=3

Abstract:
The article reports on the current services offered by the National Library of Guyana which include photocopying, reference, music, bookmobile, prison outreach, inter-library loans, conference accommodation, Internet and telephone inquiries.
The article also reports on the library's plans for further expansion in service offerings, and in particularly, the expansion of the computer facilities.

Information is also given about the Library's celebration of its centenary with events including book exhibitions and school tours, a photographic display, and the Champion Reader Competition.

Additional information about the Children library services offered in the National Library is also given. In this report, the views of some of the children users are given, and the information provided reveals satisfaction with and the successful implementation of the library's children services and outreach.



Excerpt:

CHIEF Librarian Jillian Thompson has reminded that the National Library caters for all needs and ages and is looking to expand its services.

It presently provides photocopying, reference, music, bookmobile, prison outreach, inter-library loans, conference accommodation, Internet and telephone inquiries, apart from books lending.

Poor Showing at Charity Show for Jamaican Libraries

Author: O'Hara, Fabian
Title: "Disappointing turnout for Help Jamaica charity show - But organiser not giving up"
Source: The Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: June 3, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090603/ent/ent5.html


Abstract:
The article report on the charity event put on by the German founded non-profit group, Help Jamaica. Covered in the article is information about the group's mandate to improve inner-city communities by building reading centres or libraries. Also mentioned in the article is the outcome of the charitable event, which was not well supported by patrons, though artistes and performers gave support.

Excerpt:

Disappointment was evident in the voice of Birte Timm as she reflected on the poorly-attended show.

Last Saturday, Help Jamaica foundation staged what was to be the first of a series of charity events aimed at raising funds to construct a library in the Cassava Piece community of St Andrew.

The all-day event was held at Weekenz on Constant Spring Road. In the afternoon, the children were treated to a fun day, which included performances from dancers Tippa and Hiyah Style.

A stage show in the night had a strong line-up of past, present and upcoming dancehall and reggae acts billed to perform, but hardly anyone turned up for what could have been a remarkable show. The line-up included Mavado, Cocoa Tea, Leroy Sibbles, Bugle, Sizzla and Ken Boothe.

NLJ seminar presentations published online

Earlier this year, the National Library of Jamaica held a seminar under the theme: “Building the National Union Catalogue: Challenges & Issues”. The Seminar presented by the National Library of Jamaica was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel on April 21, 2009

These papers or presentations are now available online at: http://www.nlj.org.jm/Seminar_papers_2009/Seminar_Papers_2009.htm


For those, who may not have been familiar with the event, below are the details for the event.

EVENT: National Library of Jamaica Seminar
THEME: “Building the Jamaica Union Catalogue: The Information Portal for All”
DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
VENUE: Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston Jamaica
SPONSOR: National Library of Jamaica

Jamaican Youths satisfied with New Youth Information Centre

Author: Gardner, Claudia
Title: New youth centre turns heads
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090516/lead/lead3.html



Abstract:

The article covers the reaction of several students to the opening of the National Centre for Youth Development's (NCYD) Youth Information Centre (YIC)at Humber Avenue in Montego Bay, St. James. The services and the facilities of the YIC are higlighted, which include "a cyber-café with free Internet access; a resource area and a conference room for meetings; counselling and referral services; empowerment sessions; career development and training opportunities". The purpose for the centres are also discussed. Chief among the mission of the YIC is to "allow youth to be comfortable, discussing and accessing information on issues concerning them - from safe sex to HIV/AIDS to employment and personal advancement." Further mention is also made about the Government's plan to ensure that YICs are operational in all parishes within the next three years. The Government's vision for these YICs is to "facilitate the empowerment of young people through the provision of information in a non-judgmental and friendly environment".

Excerpt:

Shabelle Johnson, a 14-year-old student of St James High School, told The Gleaner she spent her after-school hours at the centre following the shift-system school's dismissal at 12:15 p.m.

"My friends told me about it and I have been visiting for several weeks now. I like the quietness here. I also get to print assignments free of cost," she said.

"I prefer to visit here than going to the school or the parish library because students tend to fuss and sometimes I don't get through with the assignment because we only get a short amount of time on the computers."