Amendments coming to Jamaica's Copyright Act

Title: Copyright Act to Incorporate Internet Treaties
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS): KINGSTON
Date Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090826T190000-0500_20916_JIS_COPYRIGHT_ACT_TO_INCORPORATE_INTERNET_TREATIES.asp
Abstract:

The article outlines proposed amendments to Jamaica's Copyright Act. The proposed amendments will include newer regulations for Internet treaties. The concerns of several stakeholders are also highligthed, in particular, those from the library sector and those in the music industry. The findings of a World Intellectual Property Organisation study of the contribution of intellectual property to Jamaica's economy is also mentioned.

Brief background information on the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) is offered in the latter paragraphs of the article.

Excerpt:

The Copyright Act is to be amended, to incorporate provisions of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) 'Internet Treaties'.

This was disclosed by Manager, Copyrights and Related Rights Directorate at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), Miss Philippa Davies, during a seminar on Copyrights... at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), on Half Way Tree Road.

"For example, the libraries have put forward a proposal that there be exemptions for the visually impaired to make copies of work without having to get permission from the author or without having to pay high royalties. That means converting a printed work into braille," Miss Davies said.

Jamaica to establish Parent Information Centres

Title: Education Ministry Partnering with JLS in Parenting Initiative
Source: Jamaica Information Service (KINGSTON)
Date Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/education/html/20090825T180000-0500_20900_JIS_EDUCATION_MINISTRY_PARTNERING_WITH_JLS_IN_PARENTING_INITIATIVE.asp

Abstract:
The article reports on the plans of the Ministry of Education to work with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), in establishing parent information centres in the parish libraries all over the island.

According to the spokesperson, Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, these parenting information network/satellite information centres will collate parenting material locally, and international in the parish libraries. These materials will be linked and accessible via Internet accessible electronic databases as well as a hard copy database. The librarians will be trained in locating these materials in order to assist parents in finding the materials they need.

Dr. Tortello was speaking in an interview with JIS News and explained the initiative would also seek to find out what materials are available in Jamaica that are effective in training parents at different socio-economic levels, so as to effectively disseminate the message of effective parenting. The vision is that the initiative will include parenting materials not only in print, but in videos and DVDs, spreading the effective parenting messages in more than one ways including film, television, the sides of buses, and on cell phones.

Excerpt:

The Ministry of Education is working in conjunction with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), to establish a number of satellite centres on parenting in the parish libraries islandwide.

This was announced by Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, in an interview with JIS News on August 24.

"The Library Service is going to work with us to create information network/satellite information centres on parenting, so that we will gather parenting material locally, and international best practices. The parish libraries are linked and they have internet access, so we can have an electronic database as well as a hardcopy database and the librarians will be trained to know where the material is, so parents can come in and find material if they need it," she informed.

National Library of Jamaica wins award to save historical documents

Title: National Library wins award to save historical documents

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Date Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009

URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090823/arts/arts4.html

Abstract:

The article reports on the success of the National Library of Jamaica, a division of the Institute of Jamaica, in acquiring international funding for a conservation project. The amount awarded is also mentioned, which according to the report is
just under $3 million. The funding body is the 2009 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

The purpose for which the money was requested is also mentioned. According to the report, the National Library put forward the project proposal to acquire the funding necessary for the conservation of the Enos Nuttall Manuscripts - "documents dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, and records significant milestones in Jamaica's history".

Brief information about the fund and the funding agency , AFCP, is also given, including its purpose of assisting "less-developed countries in preserving museum collections, ancient and historic sites, and traditional forms of expression,...[demonstrating] the United States' respect for other cultures.

Background information on the Enos Nuttall manuscripts is also reported, including the scope of it contents in the coverage of Jamaican historical events.

Brief background information about the National Library of Jamaica is also provided.


Excerpt:

The National Library of Jamaica has been awarded just under $3 million through the 2009 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). The money will be used for the conservation of the Enos Nuttall Manuscripts - documents dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, and records significant milestones in Jamaica's history.

The AFCP, created by US Congress in 2001, aims to assist less-developed countries in preserving museum collections, ancient and historic sites, and traditional forms of expression, and was developed to demonstrate the United States' respect for other cultures. The fund is administered by the US Embassy through the US State Department.

Guyana's President tours National Library of Guyana

Title: President tours National Library during centenary anniversary

Source: Government of the Republic of Guyana: Office of the Prime Minister

Date Published: Thursday, 20 August 2009


URL: http://opnew.op.gov.gy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=677:president-tours-national-library-during-centenary-anniversary&catid=34:bulletins&Itemid=70

Abstract:

The article reports on the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo's visit to the National Library of Guyana. This visit was a part of the celebration of the library’s centenary anniversary. The article reports some of the activities of the President during the visit, including his giving his own ideas for improving the work of the library and promoting interest in Caribbean literature.

The article also reports on a brief history of the National Library of Guyana as well as the activities that are currently a part of the centenary anniversary celebrations.


Excerpt:

The Guyana National Library is celebrating 100 years of existence this year with a calendar of organised activities that included a visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo...

The President’s visit was not part of the calendar of activities but was welcomed anyway and brought smiles to the faces of the Library’s staff who were elated to provide him with a tour of the facility.

Accompanied by Chairman of the National Library Committee Pitamber Persaud, Personnel Officer Annis Craig and Jillian Thompson, the Head of State inspected and met staff of the building’s various departments.

National Library of Guyana's readers competition finals

Author: Vanessa Narine

Title: 62 in National Library’s readers competition finals

Source: Guyana Chronicle Online

Date Published: Monday, 10 August 2009

URL: http://guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4568:62-in-national-librarys-readers-competition-finals&catid=2:news&Itemid=3#Scene_1

Abstract:

The article reports on the National Library of Guyana's reading competition. According to the article, a total of 62 individuals, teenagers and young adults, competed in the finals of the National Library’s Champion Readers Competition. Some of these participants speak about their experiences in the competition and the personal gains that resulted from competing in the programme. Among the gains of participation in the competition is the new exposure that it gave participants to books and the world of literature.

The perspective of the judges is also represented, giving another perspective as to expected or intended outcomes of the competition. Also captured is background information about the event, including the theme of the competition, the dates of the competition, its prizes and the age range of competitors.

The library's perspective is also covered, as more than one library personnel suggest goals of the programme. One of the primary goals that Ms. Jillian Thompson (the Chief librarian) pointed out is that the competition aims to promote literacy in Guyana. Other goals are also stated.


Excerpt:

A total of 62 individuals, teenagers and young adults, competed in the finals of the National Library’s Champion Readers Competition, Friday, an experience they lauded as one that helped them to look with new eyes at books and the world of literature.


The competition is one of the many events of the National Library’s centenary celebrations, held under the theme ‘Empowering the Nation through literacy’.

Chief Librarian Ms. Jillian Thompson pointed out that the promotion of literacy in Guyana was primary in the list of objectives that the competition sought to achieve.


Among the other objectives of the Champion Readers’ Competition was the need to:


* Encourage reading as a stimulating past-time among children and young adults;


* Stimulate a thirst for information through the printed medium;


* Nurture a lifelong love for reading; and


* Develop reading and comprehension skills of participants.

Fire scare in University of Guyana's library

Title: Fire scare in UG library

Source: Stabroek News

Date: August 5, 2009

URL: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/news/local/08/05/fire-scare-in-ug-library/


Abstract:
The article reports on an unusual incident in the library of University of Guyana, where a bag of books burst into flames. Details about the incident are sparse, and no one is yet certain about the ownership of the bags of books.


Excerpt:

University of Guyana (UG) students were sent dashing from the institution’s 24-hour library last night after two bags of books mysteriously burst into flames on the second floor.

When Stabroek News visited the UG Library shortly after 9 pm, besides a small group of students gathered at the library entrance, things appeared normal. A few minutes later two fire hydrants appeared on the scene.

Barbadian Special Collection Destroyed by Fire: Millions of Rare materials vanish in smoke

Author: (MR)

Title: Wealth of information up in smoke

Source: Nation News

Date Published on: August 11, 2009.

URL: http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/MILLIONS-of---in-books-up-in-smoke-FRONT-PAGE-OTHER

Abstract:
Tragedy hits Barbados, when a special collection of books and research material donated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)to the Israel Lovell Foundation vanished in a fire. The materials produced by the BBC featured some research and publications on the nation and the Caribbean. The collection was intended to be organised into a public library for academic research to benefit the nation. The materials were not insured and the loss marks a major setback to the project.

Excerpt:
ABOUT $2.5 MILLION in books and research material donated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)to the Israel Lovell Foundation went up in smoke just after midnight yesterday.

A pensive Trevor Prescod, director of the foundation, told the DAILY NATION there was no way of replacing the collection of books which were stored in a block near the St Giles Nursery School compound, My Lord's Hill, St Michael. The books were not insured.

The entire block was ravaged by the fire.

Drop in the Usage of Libraries by theTrinidad and Tobago Public

Author: Akile Simon

Title: $144m spent on libraries in past year...Nalis laments drop in usage by public


Source: Trinidad and Tobago

Date Published: 16 July 2009

URL: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/07/16/nalis-laments-drop-usage-public

Abstract:

The article reports on a speech given by the executive director of the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) of Trinidad and Tobago, Annette Wallace. In her speech, Wallace discloses the the amount spent on libraries by the body (NALIS). Wallace also discloses the results of a survey that despite the expenditure on libraries, public usage of the services have dropped. The article also reveal a particular finding about the perception of nonusers of the library and the future plans for the development of libraries in Trinidad and Tobago. The Information Minister, Neil Parsanlal, also spoke, affirming the Government's support of NALIS in further advancing the nation's mission of developing its human capital through public access to information.

The article also discloses that the speeches by Wallace and Parsanlal were given at the opening ceremony of the Arima Public Library on Pro Queen Street in Arima.

Excerpt:

The National Library and Information Systems Authority (Nalis) has dished out a service to the public at a value of more than $144 million for the last fiscal year.

But a survey conducted revealed there was a decline in the usage at public libraries. This disclosure was made by Nalis’ executive director Annette Wallace on Tuesday, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Arima Public Library on Pro Queen Street in Arima.

Session on Journalism a hit at NALIS Reading Camp

Author: Christopher Boyack

Title: Guardian’s Keithos, Loubon make a hit at Nalis camp

Source: Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Date Published: 23 Jul 2009


URL: http://guardian.co.tt/news/life/2009/07/23/guardian-s-keithos-loubon-make-hit-nalis-camp

Abstract:
The article reports on a particular interactive session at the Nalis Vacation Reading Programme Camp. The particular part of the programme in the report is that of two Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspaper staff members conducting a session on journalism for the children at the camp. The article gives a synopsis of what the session was like, indicating that the children participated in activities such as giving ideas for cartoons on current political leaders, defining who is a journalist and answering questions on current affairs. The article also reports on one of the presenters giving a promotion on the importance of reading.

Information in the report also sparsely talks about the entire camp programme. Mentioned is the fact that the camp is a four-week camp. This year it opened on July 13 and will end on August 7. The report also mentions about the demographic composition of camp participants as well as the theme of the camp.

Excerpt:

Guardian senior reporter Michelle Loubon and cartoonist Keith Anderson conducted an interactive session on journalism for children attending the Vacation Reading Programme Camp at Nalis Library, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain...

The theme of the camp is I’ve Got the Power. The children aged from seven to 12. In his avuncular manner, Anderson communicated well with the 47 children drawn from primary schools in Port-of-Spain. Armed with his crayons and pencils, he tapped into the children’s knowledge on political protagonists like Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday for the cartoon.