Rural Jamaican public library stages first reading competition for boys

Author: Alicia Sutherland
Title: 'Boys who read will lead'
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Monday, May 05, 2014  
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/results/-Boys-who-read-will-lead-_16602614

Abstract:
This news article reports on a reading competition for Grade 4 boys put on by the Manchester Parish Library. The winners of the competition are announced and background information about the purpose of the competition is given. The sponsors of the event are mentioned. It is also reported that this year was the first, for the Boy's Reading Day event.

The article reports speech from the winning school's senior teacher, Eileen Chantiloupe, who makes
mention of the refurbishing of a school library and a resource centre with computers for Richmond Primary School.

Lorraine McLean, the Director of the Jamaica Library Service in Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth), is also reported in sharing her views on the usefulness of information and communication technologies in teaching boys and her anticipation for the implementation of proposed plan of the ministry of science and technology for the distribution of electronic tablets in schools. The article also reports McLean's outlining other services and programmes of the Jamaica Library Service including being the largest provider of free Internet service to the public, the National Reading Competition, Children's Hour on Fridays and a homework programme at selected branch libraries in Region 5.


Development officer at the constituency office, Trishanna Archer, is reported as praising the Jamaica Library Service for 'a long history of making connections, showcasing love, care and appreciation for communities' as well as for the boy's reading competition initiative.


Excerpt:

The event has been taking place for the past six years in an effort to encourage Grade 4 boys to develop a positive attitude to reading and to improve their results in the Grade four Literacy Test.

Director of the Jamaica Library Service in Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth) Lorraine McLean told Jamaica Observer Central that she was particularly proud of Richmond Primary because she has seen their growth from "strength to strength".

Eileen Chantiloupe, a senior teacher at the school, said that the children are of "mixed ability" and the strategy used in teaching is to "meet them where they are".

Currently, students are engaged in storytelling, poetry writing and dramatisation.

Institute of Jamaica's Executive Director outlines new plans for Jamaican museums

Author: Elaine Hartman Reckord
Title: IOJ Facilitating Greater Appreciation of Museums
Date published: April 22, 2014
Source: Jamaica Information Service
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/ioj-facilitating-greater-appreciation-museums/

Abstract:
Article reports on the measures taken by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) to enable greater access to the museums showcasing artefacts of Jamaica's heritage. One such measure is the opening of the museum during Saturdays. In the report,  the Executive Director of the IOJ, Anne Marie Bonner, is reported as listing some of the programs and events that will be implemented by the museum to attract more visitors including showing movies and storytelling and puppetry for children. Bonner is also reported as indicating that the museum is targeting not just students but young adults, families and senior citizens. Further information is provided about the Institute and the various museums that it operates across the island. The importance of the museums is also mentioned in the article, as well as plans outlined for refurbishing and repairing a number of museums. Challenges facing some of the museums are also mentioned.

Excerpt:

 “We are looking at setting up date-nights for the young adults. We will be having a series of movies that we will be showing in the afternoons and several activities for the children, including story-telling and puppetry,” she says, adding that other programmes are being developed for children and adults during the summer holidays.

She points out that “museum education” is very important, not only for students. “We are also extending our outreach to young adults, families and senior citizens because we feel it will benefit all Jamaicans and not just young people,” she says.

Shortwood Branch library's annual essay competition

Title: Oberlin Student Tops Shortwood Library Essay Competition
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Thursday, June 6, 2013
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130606/lead/lead95.html

Abstract:
The article reports on a prize-giving award ceremony for an essay competition. At the event a secondary school student receives an award for her submission  to the Shortwood Branch Library's Annual Essay Competition held at the Shortwood Branch Library, St Andrew. Both excerpts of the speeches of the winning student and the librarian are reported. The student comments on her emotions at winning the award as well as summarizes what her essay was about, whereas the librarian discusses the purpose and rationale behind the competition and its theme. Colleen Mignott, the librarian also mentions that the programme was outreach to the community and provides background information including the length of time the essay competition has been in operation.

Excerpt:

Colleen Mignott, librarian at the Shortwood Branch Library, noted that the theme was inspired by the recognition that, as children begin to define their own ideals such as human rights, equality, honour, and justice, they often seek to identify heroes who symbolise the qualities and ambitions that they themselves aspire for.

"We thought that children use such ideals to define themselves, so we wanted to see them bring that out in their current-day heroes, not only the ones that are gone such as Marcus Garvey and Norman Manley, as there are several that are among us today. Some even wrote about their teachers as their heroes, and that is really good," Mignott said.

She also stated that the competition is a part of the library's community outreach programme.
"We like to consider ourselves as stakeholders in the education process as a library service, especially as a public library. So in doing this, we tried to help the children to develop their writing skills," she said.

Event to encourage donations for the National Library of Jamaica's sound collection

Title: Local Artistes Encouraged To Donate To Library
Date published: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Source: Jamaica Gleaner

URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121025/ent/ent5.html

Abstract:
Article reports on efforts by the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) to host an event to encourage local artistes to donate to building the library's sound collection. Also mentioned is the Legal Deposit Act that came into existence and its influence in developing the library's CD collection.

Excerpt:

"The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) plans to present Legalise It, a collaborative effort with Teddy Laidley Productions on Friday. 

Legalise It seeks to encourage local artistes to build a sound collection at the National Library of Jamaica by making legal deposits to the library."

National Library of Guyana launches commemorative stamp

Author: Michelle Gonsalves

Title: National Library launches commemorative stamp

Source: Guyana Chronicle

Date: December 16, 2009

URL: http://www.guyanachronicle.com/ARCHIVES/archive%2016-12-09.html#Anchor-----------------47912

Abstract:
Article reports on the launch of a special commemorative stamp by the National Library of Guyana as part of its centennial celebrations. It is done in collaboration with the the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). A description of the stamp is given, and the purpose for the launch of this stamp is expressed.

Essentially, the launch is a public relations or marketing exercise for National library. The hopes and aspirations for the stamp is to serve a means of stimulating people to know and want to know more about the institution.

The article also provides insight into the mission of the National Library of Guyana. Chairman of the National Library Committee Mr. Petamber Persaud, also recounts in brief, a part of the history and origin of the library.



Excerpt:

"The National Library continued its centennial celebrations with the launching of a special commemorative stamp yesterday, at its Church and Main Street, Georgetown, location.

Commemorative Stamp on display yesterday at the National Library.

Addressing attendees at the event, Post Master General Mr. Henry Dundas stated, “Documentation of such information on a stamp no doubt translates into informing persons throughout the world of our National Library and the fact that it has been in existence for a century now”.

Other attendees at the special occasion included Chairman of the National Library Committee Mr. Petamber Persaud, Chief Librarian Ms. Gillian Thompson, and Governor of the Bank of Guyana Mr. Lawrence Williams."

US classic film series at a Jamaican public library

Title: US classic film series begins

Date Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

URL:http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090916/ent/ent1.html


Abstract:

Article reveals the plan to show a series of American films in the Kingston and St. Andrew Public Library between September and October. The series will include films such as Lilies of the Field, The Wizard of Oz , Gone with the Wind and A Patch of Blue. Brief information about some of the films in the series are given.


Excerpt:

The United States Embassy in Jamaica and the Jamaica Library Service began its classic film series yesterday with a screening of To Kill a Mockingbird.

The films, which are free to the public, will be shown every Tuesday from September 15 to October 13, at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library starting at 6 p.m.