New library facility in rural Jamaica

Author: Sharon Earle

Title: Over 600 Residents Benefitting From Skills Training
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS)
Date published: May 17, 2015
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/600-residents-benefitting-skills-training/

Abstract:
The article reports on the the official opening ceremony for the Clarks Town Branch Library in rural Jamaica. The cost of and the partnership behind the construction of the library is identified. The construction of the library is identified as being a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) that has been built under the Sugar Transformation Programme.

Reported is speech from the official opening ceremony by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier. Minister Kellier is reported as stating that rural libraries such as the Clarks Town Branch Library will prove useful to current and future community-based training programmes.


Also reported is speech from the Director General of the JLS, Karen Barton. She is reported as expressing appreciation for the joint efforts of all stakeholders in completing the library building. Background details regarding the accommodation for the Clarks Town Branch Library is provided, including the efforts of the Clarks Town Community Development Committee (CDC) to secure grant funding to build the new library on lands leased from the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holding limited (SCJ). Barton is further stated as identifying partnerships between the Clarks Town CDC, SCJ Holding Limited, the STU and JLS and commenting about how over the years such assisted partnerships have helped the Library Service in accomplishing its mission.

Excerpt:

The library which was constructed at a cost of $18 million through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) is among five libraries that have been built under the Sugar Transformation Programme.

...In addition, Minister Kellier said rural libraries such as the Clarks Town Branch Library will prove useful to current and future community-based training programmes.

Meanwhile, Director General of the JLS, Karen Barton expressed appreciation for the joint efforts of all stakeholders in getting the building for the library completed.

Jamaican public libraries to benefit from grant for ICT services

Author: Balford Henry, Observer Senior Staff Reporter

Title: Bill and Melinda Gates give J$226m to Jamaica’s ICT development
Date published: November 26, 2014
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Bill-and-Melinda-Gates-give-J-226m-to-Jamaica-s-ICT-development

Abstract:

The article reports on the Minister of Education, Ronald Thwaites, announcing to the House of Representatives in Parliament the details of a grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. According to the article, the donation is earmarked at providing US$2 million (approximately J$226 million) to finance increased access to ICT services for Jamaicans via the islandwide public library service. The reporter details the amount of the grant and the projected cost of the project as well as the expected beneficiaries. It is also mentioned that part of the grant will be spent on marketing public library services and promoting advocacy for the importance and value of the public library to Jamaica's national development.

Excerpt:

The project costs US$3.1 million (approximately J$350 million). The Jamaican government will donate the other US$1.1 million (approximately $123 million)
Thwaites said that beneficiaries will include users of public libraries islandwide, including marginalized groups, senior citizens, persons from rural and inner-city communities, the unemployed and persons with disabilities, including the visually impaired, and ordinary citizens seeking information about self-improvement.
“The marketing plan, which envisages a major campaign to make Jamaicans aware of the project and its deliverables, and will increase the number of library users, is being finalized for implementation commencing in November,” he said.

Jamaica Library Service to benefit from special grant funding

Author: Latonya Linton
Title: Library Service Receives Boost from Gates Foundation
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published:  May 8, 2014
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/library-service-receives-boost-gates-foundation/


Abstract:
Article reports on news that the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has received US$2 million in grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A synopsis is provided of how the funds will be used, namely to implement  the ‘JLS: Using Technology to Empower Individuals and Communities for Development’ project. A synopsis of the project is provided. According to the author the project will boost public access to information resources mainly through the installation of hardware and software. The article indicates how many libraries are to benefit from the initiative, how many computer systems will be installed as well as the commencement date of the project.

This news was announced in the Minister of Education's, the Hon Rev Ronald Thwaites, address to the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate on May 7. During his address, the Minister is also reported as announcing that the Jamaica Library Service is to also benefit from grant funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Sugar Transformation Programme. The article also outlines that this grant funding is earmarked to enhance library services in select sugar dependent communities. Specifically, these projects include constructing and equipping new infant school libraries at the St. John’s and Savanna-la-mar Infant Schools in Westmoreland and Falmouth Infant School in Trelawny.
The Minister is also reported as informing the House of a planned upgrade to the Alexandria Branch Library in St. Ann through the assistance of the Government of Japan.

Excerpt:

Under this initiative, 127 public libraries will benefit from the Project; six mobile libraries will be provided; approximately 843 state-of-the-art computer systems will be installed; and senior citizens, persons from rural communities, the unemployed and persons with disabilities will be direct beneficiaries. The Project will be launched in November 2014.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Library Service is also the beneficiary of grant funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Sugar Transformation Programme totaling $58 million.

This will be used to enhance library services in select sugar dependent communities. The projects include the construction and equipping of new infant school libraries, at the St. John’s and Savanna-la-mar Infant Schools in Westmoreland and Falmouth Infant School in Trelawny.