Jamaican public library director shares her career story

Author: By KIMBERLEY HIBBERT

Title: A leaf out of Karen Barton's book
Date published: Monday, June 22, 2015
Source: ALL WOMAN, Jamaica Observer
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/A-leaf-out-of-Karen-Barton-s-book_19151716

Abstract:
Article features Karen Barton's career story about how she entered into librarianship, her offered career advice and mentions her hobbies and achievements.


Excerpt:

SHE says she would never trade her job for anything, and if afforded the chance to live again, she would choose the same career path.

Born and raised in Lionel Town, Clarendon, Karen Barton, the director general of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) tells All Woman that after leaving Glenmuir High School, she sought employment before pursuing her tertiary education. She was employed as a library assistant at the Clarendon Parish Library, a job that would seal her fate in the industry.

"At that time I wasn't considering librarianship as a career. I just thought this was a job on my way to going into the diplomatic service," she shares.

"I had dreams of doing Spanish, different languages and everything it would take to go into the diplomatic field. I went into the library that summer but I never thought of it as a career."

But on meeting the now deceased senior librarian Gloria Baker, she fell in love with the discipline.

Jamaican Teacher-librarian wins award for mastering course management software

Author:   BY RACQUEL PORTER, Career & Education writer porterr@jamaicaobserver.com
Title: 'Alpha' teacher wins tech prize
Date published:  April 20, 2015
Source: Jamaica Observer
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/-Alpha--teacher-wins-tech-prize_18776446

Abstract:
The article announces the winner of an award for mastering a course management software named RenWeb. The winner is a teacher-librarian named Hopplin Thompson. Details about the RenWeb software that Thompson mastered and its capabilities are presented. Also mentioned is the company behind the system. Names of the runners-up are also mentioned in the article.

Excerpt:

TEACHER-LIBRARIAN at Convent of Mercy Academy 'Alpha' Hopplin Thompson is the winner of this year's Zed-Makeyla Technology Award for creative use of the classroom management software, RenWeb.

A teacher-librarian is a certified teacher who also has training in librarianship. Hopplin, who received the award at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday, beat out a field of 19 to win the top prize.

Caribbean librarian honoured for contribution to literacy

Title: Library recognises literacy and financial contributors
Date published: Thursday, 21 November 2013
Source: The Daily Herald
URL: http://thedailyherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44251:library-recognises-literacy-and-financial-contributors-&catid=1:islands-news&Itemid=54

Abstract:
The article reports on what appears to be Philipsburg Jubilee Library's 90th anniversary celebrations awards ceremony. At this event, retired Caribbean librarian, Blanca Hodge, was honoured for her leadership at Philipsburg Jubilee Library and contribution to literacy. Others awarded at the event included supporters and regular users of the library including St. Maarten Museum Director Elsje Bosch.

Library Director, Monique Alberts is reported as providing attendees at the awards ceremony with a brief history of the library from its opening on November 23, 1923 to the present. The article also reports the name of other important invitees in attendance.

Excerpt:

PHILIPSBURG--Retired Philipsburg Jubilee Library head Blanca Hodge, who made the library's slogan "Reading is FUNdemental" popular, has proven that literacy is a family concern. She and her grandson Yshmael Marcelle were honoured by the library on Thursday evening for their commitment to literacy.

They were among several awardees at the recognition ceremony that kicked started the library's 90th anniversary celebrations.

Hodge, represented by her daughter Moira Marcelle-Hodge, received the 2013 President's Award. She was selected by Library President Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling for her "unflinching commitment to literacy" in St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean. Hodge made the library more than a place to read books and helped to develop the library from its humble beginnings on Back Street to the larger building it occupies now, Schaminee-Ringeling said.

Inaugural book fair for student teachers at a Jamaican college

Author: BRYAN MILLER

Title: Moneague College Stages First Book Fair
Date published: 16 SEPTEMBER 2013
Source: Jamaica Information Service
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/component/content/article/100-education/35034-moneague-college-stages-first-book-fair

Abstract:

Article reports on the inaugural book fair on the campus of a Jamaican college for teachers, where reading  and educational materials were on display from nine providers. College librarians among others are quoted as indicating the benefit of the fair in exposing student teachers to [local] educational materials that can support their work as teachers in the delivery of the curriculum.

Excerpt:

Meanwhile, librarian at the St Joseph's Teachers College in Kingston, Jackie Morris, said the event was useful for the students "to actually see what each book store holds and what they have on display, and what material they can get to support their curriculum".

"I think it is a very interesting book fair and it is something that I would want to adopt also," she stated.

Librarian at the Moneague College, Theresa Reid, explained that the event was held to enable students to access material for their courses.

"As you would imagine, with the economic situation, the libraries are not necessarily able to provide all the resources that the students need, and so based on demand we would want to encourage our students to get their own resources for their classes," she stated. She said the aim was to make the book fair an annual event.

Dr. Joyce Robinson remembered

Author: Desmond Allen
Title: Dr Joyce Robinson — 'a Rock of Gibraltar in times of emotional stress'
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Source: Jamaica Observer

URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Dr-Joyce-Robinson----a-Rock-of-Gibraltar-in-times-of-emotional-stress-_14276620

Abstract:

This article reports on various tributes being offered to Dr. Joyce Robinson. In particular, remarks from the Opposition Leader and leader of the Jamaican Labour Party, Andrew Holness is reported. Also reported is remarks from the current President of  the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA), Matthew Blake and Dr Hazel Bennett, a close friend and retired senior lecture of the library school  at the University of the West Indies. From these tributes, the life and contribution of Dr. Joyce Robinson is reflected, especially her work as a librarian and her foundational work in developing libraries in Jamaica, including the establishment of the public library, the library association, national library system and  library school.

Excerpt:

Joyce Robinson was a founding member of the Jamaica Library Association, the forerunner of LIAJA, and served the Association in several capacities including that of president on two occasions — 1964 and 1973. In 1992 she was elected honorary member of the Association in recognition of her contribution to the growth and development of the profession and to the courageous leadership she gave in promoting the value of library services to national development.

"Joyce Robinson will be remembered specifically for her role in the development of the Jamaica Library Service from 1950-1973, the last 16 years as director and the first Jamaican to hold this position. Equally important was her role in advocating for the establishment of a library school on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, as well as her role as a founding member of the National Council on Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services (NACOLADS). For this she served as the chairman from 1980-1990 and was instrumental in the establishment of the National Library of Jamaica, which she served as the first board chairman from 1979 to 1996.

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.

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.

Rural school library in Jamaica mounts information literacy awareness display

Author: Karen Sudu
Title: Innswood High 'SHINE' On Jamaica Day
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday | February 23, 2013 0 Comments
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130223/lead/lead9.html#disqus_thread

Abstract:
The article reports on a rural school library in Jamaica, where Dacian Forrest-Gray, the librarian briefly discusses her school library event and the aim of the event. Mentioned is the effort to get the students to become aware of information literacy skills and its importance for their academic success.


Excerpt:
"Today, we decided to have an open day for the school library, where we showcase the library, information literacy, so we mounted a display titled SHINE - Sustained Habits for Improved Necessary Educational Empowerment," explained Dacian Forrest-Gray, librarian.

She added: "We have recognised that our students are not so much information literate and they are not so keen on their educational goals, so we want them to SHINE, and we wanted to show them students who were shining, students who have achieved," said Forrest-Gray.

Minister of Information declares role for Jamaican librarians in ICT

Title: Role for Librarians as Leaders in ICT Sector Development - Minister Falconer
Date: Monday, 06 February 2012
Source: Jamaica Information Service
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/opm-news/29752-role-for-librarians-as-leaders-in-ict-sector-development-minister-falconer


Abstract:
Article reports on a speech by the Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, at the annual President’s Banquet of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA), in Kingston on Saturday, February 4. At the event, Senator Falconer outlines what she perceives as the role that librarians need to play in Jamaica's development. The response to the Minister from the President of LIAJA and Government Archivist, Claudette Thomas is also reported. Information is also present about the induction of three new honorary members to the association.

Excerpt:

Librarians will play a leadership role in developing government’s framework for the ICT sector said Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, at the annual President’s Banquet of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJ), in Kingston on Saturday, February 4.

Minister Falconer said, “Your organisation, the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA)) is poised to play a critical role in this process by providing leadership and development in the information field and to encourage learning and facilitating access to information. Your members are information professionals who possess the requisite skills and competencies that can be applied to a variety of work settings that will ensure the attainment of a knowledge society by 2030."

Former Jamaican Librarian and champion of national literacy dies

Title: Dr Leila Thomas, lady of the literacy lamp, has died

Author: BY DESMOND ALLEN Executive Editor — Operations allend [at]jamaicaobserver.com

Date Published: Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Source: Jamaica Observer

URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Dr-Leila-Thomas--lady-of-the-literacy-lamp--has-died_8270525

Abstract:
Article reports on the passing of an icon in the development of Jamaica's public library services and also a national advocate for the development and advancement of literacy in Jamaica. The article feature mentions of other important Jamaican librarians, the career of Dr. Robinson, the circumstances of her death and some of her legacy in the development of the nation both as a librarian and as the head of the national organisation that promoted literacy in Jamaica.

Excerpt:

Thomas, one of the women most responsible for the growth in the literacy movement in Jamaica, was a former head of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) Foundation.

Her impressive career in adult and literacy education in Jamaica spanned almost 70 years -- 25 of which were devoted primarily to librarianship, including seven years heading the Jamaica Library Service from 1975 to 1982.

She was part of a formidable quartet of women, led by Dr Joyce Robinson, who in the late 1950s established the foundation for the modern Jamaica Library Service which she joined as an untrained librarian and rose to become its head. The others were Dr Hazel Bennett and Gloria Salmon.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Dr-Leila-Thomas--lady-of-the-literacy-lamp--has-died_8270525#ixzz1AB39e3Z5

Dr Joyce Robinson honoured

Title: FISH honours Joyce Robinson, Fr Grenier
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday, April 3, 2010
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100403/social/social2.html

Abstract:
The article reports on the ceremony that honoured Dr. Joyce Robinson, a Jamaican library professional that was a former Director of the Jamaica Library Service. Information about her work and contributions to Jamaica are mentioned in brief.


Excerpt:

"Dr Joyce Robinson and Father Louis Grenier, distinguished public servant and clergyman, respectively, have been honoured by the Foundation for the International Self Help Development (Ja) Limited (FISH)....

Dr Robinson is a distinguished public servant who has contributed significantly in the areas of library service, literacy, education and vocational training. She is a former director of the Jamaica Library Service and the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL); general manager of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and managing director of the Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust."

Dr Joyce Robinson honoured for outstanding service to Jamaica

Title: FISH marks 25 years
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100323/news/news2.html

Abstract:
The article reports that the Foundation for International Self Help Development Jamaica Limited (FISH) are to honour Dr. Joyce Robinson, a Jamaican librarian and former director of the Jamaica Library Service.


Excerpt:
Robinson is a distinguished public servant who has contributed significantly in the areas of library service, literacy, education and vocational training. She is a former director of the Jamaica Library Service.

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.

Jamaican Librarian crowned Parish Cultural Queen

Title: Four more parish queens crowned
Source: The Jamaica Observer
Date published: Monday, May 18, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Entertainment/html/20090517T210000-0500_151691_OBS_FOUR_MORE_PARISH_QUEENS_CROWNED_.asp


Abstract:
Article reports on the Jamaica Festival Queen competition for 2009. One such winner at the Parish level is a Jamaican Librarian, Kelonie Noble.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer:

Kelonie Noble, a 23-year-old librarian at the Hanover Parish Library took home the Hanover Festival Queen title and the award for Best Performer and was also the Most Culturally Aware.

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Title: Something Extra
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Thursday | May 21, 2009
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090521/ent/ent4.html

Abstract:
In this article, a picture shows Kelonie Noble, a Jamaican Librarian, winning the parish Festival queen competition.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Gleaner:

Twenty-three-year-old librarian at the Hanover Parish Library, Kelonie Noble, was named Miss Hanover Festival Queen 2009 at a parish coronation show held at the Lucea Anglican church hall on Saturday.

Visits to the library produces Cardiac Surgery in Guyana

Author: Sharmain Cornette

Title: Defying the odds and providing high-quality cardiac service: Dr Gary Stephens is a ‘Special Person’

Source: Kaieteur News

Date Published: May 17, 2009

URL: http://www.kaieteurnews.com/2009/05/17/defying-the-odds-and-providing-high-quality-cardiac-service/

Abstract:
The article reports on the biographical story of Dr Gary Stephens, a cardiac surgeon, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the lone Cardiac facility in Guyana, the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). His successes are traced by the author to his childhood experiences at the public library, where a librarian and her story telling sessions motivated him to read. This love of reading that was inculcated in him by the librarian lead him to read a particular book, which fed his aspiration to become a doctor.

Excerpt:

His passion for being a doctor was motivated by his visits to the library as a young boy, a pastime he managed to balance with his love for athletics. He was in fact an outstanding athlete back in the days.

But according to Dr Stephens his motivation to visit the library was driven by the way the librarian would read.

“Those were the days when the Public Library in Linden had a storytelling time in the afternoons and on Saturdays. The librarian was so good that you would make the effort to go there and sit down and listen. The way the librarian read whatever book she had, it just encouraged you to want to read. She made me want to read…you just wanted to pick up a book and just enjoy it the same way she read it to you.”

Article on the Trinidadian Library Blogosphere published

A new book by Librarians presenting a bibliography of the library blogosphere is now published. The book reports on the library blogosphere of several countries. Of particular interest to this blog is the report on Trinidad's library blogosphere by Jennifer Papin-Ramcharan.

Below is the basic bibliographic information. Also enclosed is URL for getting more information on the book.

Title: Library Blogging Worldwide

Editors: Christian Hauschke, Sarah Lohre and Nadine Ullmann

Publication Information: Dortmund - Düsseldorf – Hannover
Publisher: Infobib.de
YEAR: 2008

Copyright: © 2008 Infobib.de Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0

Language: English

URL: http://www.lulu.com/content/5307801


Abstract from Source:

On April, 23rd 2007 a series of postings started on Infobib.de, where guest authors from all over the world introduced the library and library related blogs of their own country. This book is a collection of 30 revised LibWorld articles, accompanied by a foreword by Walt Crawford. Included are articles about the blogosphere of: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malawi, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, USA.

First Caribbean community library radio launched in Bahamas

TITLE: First Caribbean community library radio launched in Bahamas
SOURCE: Communication and Information Sector's news service (UNESCO)
DATE: 22 October 2008
URL: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27676&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html


ABSTRACT FROM SOURCE:
The first Caribbean community library radio Infolight FM 108.0: The Power of the Information Literacy through Young Voices was officially launched by Carl Bethel, Minister of Education of the Bahamas, on 16 October 2008, at the Bahamas Library Service. This project is implemented in partnership with UNESCO.

ABSTRACT:
The article is about an initiative sponsored by UNESCO in association with the Bahamas Library Service. This initiative involves the establishment of a radio or broadcasting information service operated by library and information professionals. The initiative have a number of objectives, including recruiting future librarians and information professionals, as well as advancing and promoting literacy.