Seminar introduces Jamaican librarians to Resource Description and Access (RDA)

Author: Andrea Braham,
Title: All Jamaicans Urged to Embrace Technology
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published: 16 April 2013
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-111/33581


Abstract:

The article reports on speeches delivered to a group of librarians and information specialists attending a seminar to introduce the implementation of a new international cataloguing system, Resource Description and Access (RDA). The event was hosted by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the Library and Information Association of Jamaica and National Library of Jamaica.The objectives of the seminar are stated, namely to create national awareness of the introduction and implementation of RDA and to educate and inform all members of the Jamaica Library and Information Network (JAMLIN) community and Information Technology personnel about the system.




In the speech by the Jamaican State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, he mentions the Government's efforts to connect the libraries, post offices and schools is part of an overall strategy to ensure universal access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services for Jamaicans. The Minister further reports statistics regarding the establishment of community access point projects, whereby computer labs and Internet cafes have been established in churches and other public sites. Mr. Robinson is also reported as stating that librarians need to change the services they offer to students and youth.


Also reported is the Head of the Cataloguing Section at the University of the West Indies, Rosemarie Runcie. Ms. Runcie notes that the new RDA system has emerged in response to the changing nature of how users discover and access information. She is further reported as saying that the new system is an improved version of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) currently used in Jamaica. She also reports on what the RDA tool kit contains and how it differs from the AACR2.

President of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica, Matthew Blake, is also cited as urging his colleagues to begin early adoption of the system in their various organizations.



Excerpt:

In the meantime, Head of the Cataloguing Section at the University of the West Indies, Rosemarie Runcie, noted that the new RDA system has emerged in response to the changing nature of how users discover and access information.

She assured them that the new system is an improved version of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2), currently being used in Jamaica.

“The RDA tool kit contains all the important areas, but with a few additional ones, created especially to accommodate more information about the resources themselves and in particular online resources and about the creators, so as to help us better identify them,” Ms. Runcie informed.

The RDA will also provide rules and guidelines to facilitate the description and access of all digital and analogue material, resulting in records that can be used in a variety of digital environments.

President of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica, Matthew Blake, urged his colleagues to begin using the system in their various organizations, as early as possible.

“A new standard is out. The world we interact with has begun to use it…So, as the world starts, we must also move to be in tandem with what is happening across the globe. Information is dynamic and we as dynamic professionals must move with it, to ensure that our clients (also) move to access that information that they need in a timely manner,” Mr. Blake urged.

Jamaican alumni association plans fundraising concert for digital library project

Title: Classical duo to perform at Mico - School to use concert funds to digitise library
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date published: April 16, 2013
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130416/ent/ent2.html

Abstract:
This article reports on a fundraising event planned by the Mico Old Student Association (MOSA). The fundraiser is a concert featuring two Jamaican international classical vocal artistes. Funds raised from ticket purchases  for the concert are to go towards digitisation of the archives and scholarly collections of The Mico's Renford Shirley Library. The project is estimated at $10-million. When completed, the digital library will feature a gallery of historical photographs, early prints, as well as newspaper and journal articles. The new digital library will also provide users with the opportunity to tag and add metadata. The college librarian, Vinell Spied, is briefly reported as giving a statement on the importance of this digital library initiative.

Excerpt:


Two of Jamaica's internationally acclaimed classical artistes, Curtis Watson and Pauline Forrest-Watson, will be the featured performers at the Mico Old Student Association's (MOSA) fund-raising concert entitled 'Evening of Classical Ballads', scheduled to take place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

The concert is being held under the distinguished patronage of Sir Kenneth and Lady Hall.

While patrons attending this event will get another opportunity to enjoy the musical mastery of the classical couple, they will also be contributing to MOSA's efforts to preserve and digitise the extensive historical archives and scholarly collections of The Mico's Renford Shirley Library, to create a more user-centred information portal that can be shared locally and globally.

National Library of Jamaica acquires DVD series of 2008 to 2012 Powerful Men and Women concert series

Title: Powerful Men and Women make legal deposit
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: April 16, 2013
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Powerful-Men-and-Women-make-legal-deposit-_14077472

Abstract:
This newspaper article reports on the National Library of Jamaica's acquisition of DVD video recordings of a Jamaican charity concert series featuring prominent and popular public officials and personalities. The board director and fund-raising chairman of the concert series, Thyra Heaven, is named as the person depositing the DVDs in keeping with the Legal Deposit Act. A brief statement is given explaining the Legal deposit act. The article also purports that the National Library views this particular deposit as being a primary research resource for researchers studying charity organisations in early 21st-century Jamaica.


Excerpt:

THE collection of Jamaica's recorded culture and heritage at the National Library of Jamaica was increased recently with the handing over of video recordings of the concert series, Powerful Men and Woment [sic] in Concert. 

While preparing for this year's concert, set for June 2, Thyra Heaven stopped by the National Library of Jamaica last Wednesday to make her legal deposit of DVDs of the 2008 to 2012 concerts.

Jamaica to switch to RDA 's new digital cataloguing system for libraries

Title: New digital cataloguing system for library network
Date published: Friday, April 12, 2013
Source: Jamaican Observer
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/New-digital-cataloguing-system-for-library-network_14044061

Abstract:

This article reports on plans for Jamaican library networks to move from Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) to the newer international digital cataloguing system of the Resource Description and Access (RDA). It also reports on a seminar being planned in Kingston to create a national awareness of the imminent introduction and implementation of the RDA and also attempt to educate and inform members of the Jamaica Library and Information Network (JAMLIN) community about RDA.

The report also discusses an event by Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, that gathered library professionals to discuss this new plan. Quoted is the president of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica and Librarian at the Jamaica Tourist Board Matthew Blake who supports the move. Also quoted is Maxine Jones, a cataloguer at the National Library of Jamaica, about the need for developing and implementing a National Bibliographical database to facilitate access to all the information within the various libraries islandwide. The views of librarian/documentalist at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Viviene Kerr-Williams, is also reported. Kerr-Williams opines that the move fulfils some national goals set out in the national development plan, Vision 2030, in making Jamaica a first world country by 2030.


Excerpt:

 

JAMAICA'S public library network will soon boast a new international digital cataloguing system, which is expected to help persons doing research or requesting information from library archives.

The system, called the Resource Description and Access (RDA), is the new international cataloguing standard, designed for the digital environment, and is intended to replace the current Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) before year end.

Caribbean Freedom of Information Network launched

Title [of Press Rease]: Caribbean Freedom of Information Network launched at Landmark Conference
Alternative title: 11 Caribbean Countries Meet to Discuss Freedom of Information Laws in the Region
Date published: March 22, 2013
Source: World Resources Institute

URL: http://www.wri.org/press/2013/03/release-caribbean-freedom-information-network-launched-landmark-conference


Abstract:
This article or press release announces the outcome and decision of an event (a two-day conference) held in Kingston, Jamaica where 11 Caribbean countries met to discuss matters relating to freedom of information legislation in the region. Commonwealth Caribbean nations with legislation pending, plus those with legislation implemented are noted.

The press release also reportedly quotes from the persons of Dr. Carolyn Gomes, chairperson of the Access to Information Advisory Stakeholders’ Committee and Danielle Andrade, Legal Director of the Jamaica Environment Trust, stating why such legislation is important, useful and beneficial to citizens. Also reported are the sponsors behind the funding and staging of the conference, as well as participants.


Excerpt:

For the first time, Caribbean governments and civil society have come together to discuss access to information, public participation in governance, and access to justice at a landmark conference held in Kingston, Jamaica. Representatives from 11 Caribbean countries attended the “Regional Conference on Freedom of Information in the Caribbean: Improving Management for the Environment.”

At the close of the two-day conference on March 21, 2013, governments, civil society, and media announced the decision to launch a Caribbean network on freedom of information to support processes to improve standards for access to information in the region.

Dr. Carolyn Gomes, chairperson of the Access to Information Advisory Stakeholders’ Committee and Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) said, “freedom of information is the most powerful tool for ordinary citizens to arm themselves with the information they need to change their lives. Launching this freedom of information network will build opportunities for collaboration, learning and capacity building among information commissioners, civil society and media across the region.”