Nuevo Battle Site Museum Opens in Jamaica

Title: Nuevo Battle Site Museum Opens with TEF Support
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Ocho Rios
Date Published: Sunday, July 19, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/indus_tourism/html/20090719T200000-0500_20473_JIS_NUEVO_BATTLE_SITE_MUSEUM_OPENS_WITH_TEF_SUPPORT.asp

Abstract:
The article records the commitment of the Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Ian Neita, to supporting the operation of the Rio Nuevo Battle Site Museum. The article also speaks about the other organisations involved in the establishment of the museum, namely, the Rio Nuevo Battle Site Association, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), and the Culture Health Arts Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

The plans for the future of the museum are also articulated. Mention is made about the potential local target market, students and teachers within the parish. However, mention is also made of the vision for the museum to also support heritage tourism.

Excerpt from Source:

"It was far from difficult for the TEF to respond to the request made by the Rio Nuevo Battle Site Association and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) to add a museum to the site. While the battle site has always been suitable to host events or simply for people to view the grounds, the idea of a museum instantly elevated the site to a position of a world class attraction," Mr. Neita said. He noted that the establishment of the facility was ideal as it would give students and teachers the opportunity to enhance their educational experience through experiential learning.

"We are happy that in the Rio Nuevo Museum, visitors to Jamaica will have one new attraction to visit and leave with a rich history. We chose to invest in attractions such as this museum in order to protect Jamaica from competition. Islands like Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Barbados have a rich cultural heritage and so do we. They have capitalised on that heritage to build their tourism and so must we," he said.

Another Export and Business Information Centre Opened in Jamaica

Title: JAMBIC/Export and Business Information Centre Opened in Ocho Rios
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Ocho Rios
Date Published: Sunday, July 19, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090719T200000-0500_20472_JIS_JAMBIC_EXPORT_AND_BUSINESS_INFORMATION_CENTRE_OPENED_IN_OCHO_RIOS.asp

Excerpt from Source:
The new Ocho Rios JAMBIC/Export Centre and Business Information Point (ECBIP) seeks to provide e-business services, Internet access to web-enabled Government services, market information and distance learning opportunities, among other services. It is a collaborative effort of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation’s, The Source.

The launch of the Centre has now increased the number of JAMBIC/ECBIP Centres established across the island to 11.

Abstract:
Article discloses information about the location of a newly opened business information centre established to support Jamaican entrepreneurs and businesses in the parish of St. Ann. Information is provided about the services being offered by the centre as well as the organisations behind the establishment of the centre.

Sixth youth information centre established in Jamaica

Title: Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre to open in St Ann
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Friday, July 10, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090710T010000-0500_155098_OBS_MARCUS_GARVEY_YOUTH_INFORMATION_CENTRE_TO_OPEN_IN_ST_ANN.asp

Excerpt:

The centre is expected to have, among other things, a cyber centre with over 14 computers, rap room where young people can share ideas, an area for physically-challenged youths and a Garvey memorial area, which will provide information on Garvey's life and work.

Abstract:

The article details the agreements made by Jamaica's National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), UNICEF and the St Ann Parish Council to set up a Marcus Garvey Information Centre at "the site that once housed a skills training centre named after the national hero". This information centre is aimed at providing youth in the parish with facilities for information sharing and access. Plans are also outlined about more such centres to be established in the parish as well as throughout the entire island. The site will also provide information about the life of Marcus Garvey, one of Jamaica's national hero, who originated from the parish.

Scotiabank develops school library in Trinidad and Tobago

Title: Scotiabank develops library at Lady Hochoy Home
Source: Trinidad and Tobago Guardian
Date Published: 13 July 2009
URL: http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2009/07/13/scotiabank-develops-library-lady-hochoy-home

Excerpt:

Scotiabank has embarked on a library development project at the Lady Hochoy School in Penal. Staff members of the bank’s Penal Branch have been volunteering their time and efforts to regularly visit the school, walking with their paint brushes, to ensure that the library is in top condition.

According to Reena Panchorie, Assistant Manager, Public and Corporate Affairs, at Scotiabank T&T Ltd, “This effort by the Penal Branch is part of the Bank’s Bright Future Program, a corporate giving and community programme that helps support opportunities for the children and communities in which we live and work.

Abstract:

A branch of the Scotiabank in Trinidad and Tobago has taken on a project of corporate social responsibility focusing on the development of children in the community. This project involves staff volunteering to work in and on developing the Lady Hochoy School library.

Jamaican Festival Queens to work with school library and promote reading

Title: Festival Queens foster development
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Entertainment/html/20090714T220000-0500_155400_OBS_FESTIVAL_QUEENS_FOSTER_DEVELOPMENT.asp

Excerpt:

The Festival Queen 2009 contestants are focusing their grace, talent, intellect and beauty on boosting Jamaica's development. The parish queens are engaged in numerous community projects that foster nation-building across Jamaica. They are tackling issues as diverse as sexuality, marginalised males, and literacy.


Literacy has the attention of Shanna-Kay Williams, Miss Portland and Kelonie Noble, Miss Hanover. Ms. Williams will be working at the Windsor Castle All-Age School library with 'Recovery of the Youth', a book drive and book club to promote reading. Ms. Noble will carry out the "Read to Succeed" project at Escher Primary.

Commentary:
On Monday, 25 May 2009, on this blog, it was posted that a Jamaican Librarian, Kelonie Noble, was crowned parish queen. This post is a follow up to that post, as it covers the national finals for the Jamaican Festival queen competition. Ms Noble, now unto the finals is engaged in a project to promote reading.

For more information on the competition visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/ms_ja_bg.htm.

For more information about the organising body behind the Jamaica Festival Queen Competition visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/index.php.

If you are still interested in knowing more about the competition and its rules, visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/entryforms/2k9_forms/Fest_Queen_Entry_Form.pdf for guidelines.



Abstract:
Jamaican Festival Queens undertake several projects. Among them are literacy and reading promotion projects. One festival queen, Shanna-Kay Williams, Miss Portland, will be working with the school library at the Windsor Castle All-Age in a programme entitled 'Recovery of the Youth'. This project will establish both a book drive and a book club to promote reading.

Kelonie Noble, another festival queen [and Librarian], is involved in the project "Read to Succeed", which targets the Escher Primary school.

Call for a Jamaican museum or library to honour Norman Manley

Author: Garfield Myers
Title: Another appeal for Roxborough: Birthplace of National Hero Norman Manley still in disrepair
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Wednesday, July 08, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090707T210000-0500_154917_OBS_ANOTHER_APPEAL_FOR_ROXBOROUGH_.asp

Excerpt:

A brief note on Roxborough on the website of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, which has responsibility for official heritage sites, says in part: "It was proposed that the house be restored since it had fallen into disrepair, but in 1968 it was destroyed by fire. Currently only the foundation remains. The Jamaica National Heritage Trust proposes to restore the building."

Pressed by the Observer following Saturday's function, which incorporated tributes to Manley's life in speech and song, Ramsay argued that a library and/or museum suitably furnished with literature and memorabilia on Manley should be part of any upgrading.

Abstract:

The article reports on the annual July 4 celebration honouring one of Jamaica's National Hero, Norman Manley, at which calls were made for the upgrading of his home. At this function Mayor of Mandeville and chairman of the Manchester Parish Council, Brenda Ramsay, suggests that the nation should adequately honour Manley "the 'father' and chief architect of post-independent Jamaica" by upgrading his old house. Already designated as a heritage site, the suggestion was made to turn Manley's house into a museum or library. This suggested museum or library would serve as an historical attraction informing visitors about Manley and his contribution to Jamaica.

Institute of Jamaica issues open invitation

Title: Come on over! Institute of Jamaica issues open invitation
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Sunday | July 12, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090712/arts/arts1.html

Abstract:

The various summer attractions that the Institute of Jamaica has to offer visitors to see and experience are outlined. Some of the museums operated by the Institute are also mentioned in this article.

The article also contains comments by Vivian Crawford, Executive Director of the Institute of Jamaica, about the major clientele visiting the Institute, which comprised of school groups. However, the Director states his desire for the Institute to reach out to families.

Bankers help develop a school library in Trinidad and Tobago

Title: Bankers help build a library
Source: Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday
Date: Tuesday, July 7 2009
URL: http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,103377.html


Excerpt:

"SCOTIABANK has embarked on a library development project at the Lady Hochoy School in Penal. Staff members of the Penal Branch have been volunteering their time and effort to regularly visit the school, walking with their paint brushes to ensure that the library’s walls were in top condition."

Abstract:

The article reports on the corporate social responsibility acts by the ScotiaBank to give back to the community through efforts at developing a school library. The efforts are aimed at the Lady Hochoy School in Penal, where the Bank members have been involved in painting the library's walls and volunteering their labour and service to the library. Services rendered other than the painting of the library, include "the procurement of bookshelves, desks and chairs, as well as sourcing reading material for the children to enjoy”.

Jamaican High school opens new library

Title: Glenmuir High opens new library, resource centre
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Career/html/20090627T220000-0500_154339_OBS_GLENMUIR_HIGH_OPENS_NEW_LIBRARY__RESOURCE_CENTRE_.asp

Excerpt:

"The facility, which began in June 2007, is to benefit the school's population of 2,100, as well as residents of neighbouring communities in the May Pen area. It boasts new rooms for reading, data processing, e-learning, audiovisual lessons and a computer lab. It will also accommodate the school's book rental programme.

"For far too long Glenmuir High School, with its distinguished record of achievement, existed on archaic facilities in some areas and that the staff had not been properly catered for within the context of this school despite their work and effort," said school principal, Clement Radcliffe. "It was during 2002 and 2003 that the school engaged itself in the task of formulating areas of development to be initiated as part of the 45th anniversary of the school. From this initiation, the dream of having a facility of this nature became a reality."

Abstract:

The article reports on the official opening ceremony launching the new school library and resource centre at the Glenmuir High School in Clarendon, Jamaica. In the report, the school principal, Clement Radcliffe provides some background information about the facility and about the rationale behind its construction. Radcliffe also expressed his vision or hope for the library and the impact that it will have on the school and the wider community.

The latter information in the report mentions some of the donors and sponsors behind the funding of the construction of the new facility.