National Library Service of Barbados seeking to 'book' the unborn

Author: BY CARLOS ATWELL
Title: Booking unborn
Date Published: TUE, APRIL 12, 2011 - 12:02 AM
Source: Barbados Nation News
URL: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/booking-unborn

Abstract:
Article reports on the National Library Service of Barbados's strategic direction, their strengths and gaps. The article notes that the library was, despite the growth of e-readers, still popular with children, adults and senior citizens. Nevertheless, the article also reports that library personnel are embarking on a strategy of promoting reading from the “baby stage” in order to get children accustomed to hearing a voice reading from as early as pregnancy. Disclosure is made of a team at the Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic speaking to pregnant mothers, introducing the library service's Leap Into Reading Programme for children from one to five years old.

Mention is also made of the acquisitions of  e-books by the libray, where the Director Annette Smith indicates that the Library Service had began the development of a collection of e-books to keep relevant with new technology. The view is however expressed that new sources like the Kindle and e-books are still incapable of competing with reading in the library or even reading the printed book.

Appeal is also made for donations in acquiring new books as well as volunteers to read to children.The Director also expresses the view that the library needs a bus to provide extended services to various communities during school summer holidays.

Mention is also made of the US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Brent Hardt presenting a list of books to the library as part of the National Library Week celebration in the United States.


Excerpt:

The National Library Service is not daunted by technology like the Kindle, but it is taking the fight for literacy to another level.

The service is seeking to reach Barbadians even before birth by promoting reading to unborn children through interacting with expectant mums at the polyclinics.

Yesterday, after a donation of 22 Notable Books by the United States Embassy, acting senior librarian at the Bridgetown branch, Grace Haynes, explained that although the library was still a popular place for children, adults and even senior citizens, library personnel felt the need to promote reading from the “baby stage”. 

Barbados National Library's 2009 Literacy Fun Day and Summer Programme

Author: (DB)

Title: Creative writers in the making

Source: Barbados Nation News

Date Published: September 6, 2009

http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/National-Library-Service-Literacy-Fun-Day-copy-for-web

Abstract:

Article highlights the Barbados first National Library's Literacy Fun Day event as well as the library's summer programmes held across the island. These events featured activities for children that encourage the development of children writers and their literacy development and skills. The events allowed for children to produce 31 books and share their original creative writings through the reading of their work to the public. The Literacy Fun day also saw a puppet show to entertain those who attended.

The article also contains comments by the children service librarian, Jennifer Yarde, regarding the rationale behind the library's events and activities.



Excerpt:

"YOUNG WRITERS came out to show off their creativity and skill at the National Library Service's first ever Literacy Fun Day at Queen's Park, St Michael, yesterday.

Under the theme Literacy Beyond The Vision, librarians from all the departments came out to lend their support to the future writers of Barbados, some of whom were as young as seven years old.

"At the Library we encourage children to read and write, so that they can improve their literacy skills," children's librarian Jennifer Yarde said.

The youthful scribes came out to share their stories and books which they had written at the recently concluded summer programme held at the various libraries across the island."

A Jamaican Home for Children gets "upgraded library"

Title: Hanbury Home Gets Upgraded Library
Source: Jamaica Informaiton Service(JIS): MANDEVILLE
Date Published: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/officePM/html/20090901T000000-0500_20973_JIS_HANBURY_HOME_GETS_UPGRADED_LIBRARY.asp


Abstract:

Two Howard university students acquired funding for a project to equip the Hanbury Home for Children in Manchester with upgraded library resources including computers and educational software. The funds were acquired from the Davis Projects for Peace, a United States-based foundation.

The upgraded library resources was made possible through a recommendation made by Jamaican born academic at Howard University, Dr. Grace Virtue, who encouraged two of her students to seek funding from the foundation to do a project at the Home, as part of their studies. It also involved partnership with the Rotary Club of Mandeville.

The article also outlines the visions for how the resources will be utilised and benefit the Home. Plans for the long-term sustainability of the project are outlined.

Also provided in the article is some background information about the funding body, Davis Projects for Peace.


Excerpt:

"The Hanbury Home for Children in Manchester has received an upgraded library, with computers and other educational items, from the Davis Projects for Peace, a United States-based foundation.

The updated $900,000 (US$10,000) facility was made possible through a recommendation made by Jamaican born academic at Howard University..."

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.

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.

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.”

Rockhouse Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Buy Books for Negril Library

Title: Rockhouse Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Buy Books for Negril Library

Source: KINGSTON, Jamaica Information Service(JIS):
Date: Friday, March 27, 2009
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/education/html/20090326t220000-0500_18984_jis_rockhouse_foundation_donates__1_3_million_to_buy_books_for_negril_library.asp

Excerpt

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) today (March 26), received $1.3 million from the Rockhouse Foundation, to purchase books for the Negril Branch Library.

The presentation was made at a ceremony at the JLS office, Tom Redcam Drive, Kingston. The funds will assist the Foundation to fulfill its mandate of enabling national development through the creation and support of a knowledge-based society of culturally aware lifelong learners.

The foundation is also refurbishing the Negril Branch Library at a cost of $30 million. This will be completed by the end of May.

Abstract:
The article reports on a official ceremony held at Jamaica Library Service Headquarters to recognise and formally receive donations for the development of the Negril branch of Jamaica's public library system. In the article, gratitude and tribute is paid to the donors, Rockhouse Foundation, by the Director of Jamaica Library Service, Mrs. Patricia Roberts and the Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Bertel Moore.

Information is also relayed regarding the expectation of how the funds will be used as well as the Foundation's mandate and mission.

Specific mention is also made about the work the foundation is doing to refurbish the Negril Branch Library to the cost of $30 million. Mention is also made about the new children library spaces that are being designed.