Ground breaking for the Accompong Town Primary and Junior High School library and media centre

Author: Paul Williams
Title: Mystic Bowie Delivering The Goods In Accompong Town
Date published: January 11, 2014
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140111/news/news1.html

Abstract:

Article reports on an event to break ground for the building of a library and media centre for a Jamaican school, commemorating the historical events particularly significant to the Jamaican Maroon community. Background information is provided on the major sponsor or donor for the project, Mystic Bowie and the set of events that lead to the initiative. The article also reports on Bowie's motivation for sponsoring the project. Further provided is information about the ground breaking event, including a list of some of the persons attending, including Coral B. Barnett, principal of the Accompong Town Primary and Junior High School and Director of Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Dahlia Harris. Other information provided in the article deals with some minor details about the building itself and some of the equipment and resources that it is expected to house.



Excerpt:

ACCOMPONG TOWN, St Elizabeth:One year ago, Mystic Bowie, a producer, reggae singer, and international recording artiste, who was born Fitzroy Alexander Campbell in Accompong Town, St Elizabeth, in the presence of members of the Government and Opposition, broke ground for the building of a library and media centre at the Accompong Town Primary and Junior High School. This took place as part of the Accompong Maroons' observance of Captain Cudjoe's birthday and the 275th anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty with the British.

In speaking with Rural Xpress at the time, the Connecticut, United States, resident said, "I am 100 per cent committed, if not, I would be wasting my time." As a member of the Council of Overseas Maroons, he was approached by the council's president/secretary, Coral B. Barnett, for assistance to the school and the community.

The building of the aforementioned complex was the main assistance Bowie suggested, and from all indications, he is delivering on his promise, and stage one of the project is now complete. It consists of the main hall for the library and computer clusters, an administrative office, and a rooftop space for the hosting of special events. The special-events level wasn't part of the original plan, but it will be part of the fundraising outreach to maintain the centre.

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.

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."

Libraries are still relevant - say Jamaican library experts

Author: Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer
Title: Libraries still relevant
Source: Jamaican Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday, September 18, 2010
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100918/lead/lead5.html


Excerpt:

EXPERTS WITHIN library information systems yesterday challenged assumptions that Jamaican libraries are losing their relevance in the age of the Internet.

Representatives from library services in academia and the National Library of Jamaica met at The Gleaner Company yesterday to discuss the role that libraries play in society.

Abstract:

A group of library experts meting with the Gleaner Company to discuss the role that libraries play in society. This article reports some of the comments made at that meeting by the library experts. Also indicated here is information that five of the nine persons interviewed by The Gleaner still found libraries to be relevant. Also in this article is brief biographical data on a few Jamaican library experts.

Jamaican Minister of Education calls for libraries to emphasize reading as a family activity

Author: Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness
Title:HON. MINISTER OF EDUCATION'S PARENT MONTH MESSAGE NOVEMBER 2009
Source Jamaica Information Service
Date: Monday, November 02, 2009
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/MinSpeeches/html/20091102T110000-0500_21728_JIS_HON__MINISTER_OF_EDUCATION_S_PARENT_MONTH_MESSAGE_NOVEMBER_2009.asp

Abstract
The Jamaican Minister of Education this month calls for libraries and schools to emphasize reading as a family activity. The Minister of Education in his Parent Month's message for November invites libraries and schools to find innovative ways of getting families to read or work on developing literacy skills in their children. The Minister of Education also outlines some of the plans for the month, including the Jamaica Library Service hosting a National Reading Fair. The emphasis or the aim for this Parent month is to encourage parents to assist schools and libraries in the literacy development of their children.



Excerpt
During this Parent Month, being staged under the theme - Parent the Right Way - Read with Your Child Every Day - we are asking all of our schools, libraries, churches and civic organizations to stress the importance of family literacy. We encourage you to stage family literacy events inviting parents to sit with their children and explore a book together.

We are asking you to encourage families to join the Library Service and make visits to the local library a regular family event. We are asking you to find creative ways to increase the amount of print material available at school and in the community - maybe do a project where inspirational words are printed on walkways. Model reading in school, ensure that parents model reading at home. Create word trees by writing vocabulary words from stories on card paper and hanging them from trees in your yard. At school create class books where each child makes up a line of a story and illustrates their words. Have students read their stories to the other classes. Dedicate a specific time each day or each week to have all members of school staff "drop everything and read." Most importantly share creative reading ideas with parents so that they too can make reading fun for their children at home.

During this month, let us seize the opportunity to bring our parents into the fold and encourage them to make reading a priority in their homes. On Saturday November 28th, 2009, the Jamaica Library Service will hold its annual Reading Fair, we are encouraging Jamaican families to help us make that the National Family Reading Day by making a concerted effort to read with their children.

Amendments coming to Jamaica's Copyright Act

Title: Copyright Act to Incorporate Internet Treaties
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS): KINGSTON
Date Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/commerce_science/html/20090826T190000-0500_20916_JIS_COPYRIGHT_ACT_TO_INCORPORATE_INTERNET_TREATIES.asp
Abstract:

The article outlines proposed amendments to Jamaica's Copyright Act. The proposed amendments will include newer regulations for Internet treaties. The concerns of several stakeholders are also highligthed, in particular, those from the library sector and those in the music industry. The findings of a World Intellectual Property Organisation study of the contribution of intellectual property to Jamaica's economy is also mentioned.

Brief background information on the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) is offered in the latter paragraphs of the article.

Excerpt:

The Copyright Act is to be amended, to incorporate provisions of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) 'Internet Treaties'.

This was disclosed by Manager, Copyrights and Related Rights Directorate at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), Miss Philippa Davies, during a seminar on Copyrights... at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), on Half Way Tree Road.

"For example, the libraries have put forward a proposal that there be exemptions for the visually impaired to make copies of work without having to get permission from the author or without having to pay high royalties. That means converting a printed work into braille," Miss Davies said.

Jamaica to establish Parent Information Centres

Title: Education Ministry Partnering with JLS in Parenting Initiative
Source: Jamaica Information Service (KINGSTON)
Date Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/education/html/20090825T180000-0500_20900_JIS_EDUCATION_MINISTRY_PARTNERING_WITH_JLS_IN_PARENTING_INITIATIVE.asp

Abstract:
The article reports on the plans of the Ministry of Education to work with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), in establishing parent information centres in the parish libraries all over the island.

According to the spokesperson, Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, these parenting information network/satellite information centres will collate parenting material locally, and international in the parish libraries. These materials will be linked and accessible via Internet accessible electronic databases as well as a hard copy database. The librarians will be trained in locating these materials in order to assist parents in finding the materials they need.

Dr. Tortello was speaking in an interview with JIS News and explained the initiative would also seek to find out what materials are available in Jamaica that are effective in training parents at different socio-economic levels, so as to effectively disseminate the message of effective parenting. The vision is that the initiative will include parenting materials not only in print, but in videos and DVDs, spreading the effective parenting messages in more than one ways including film, television, the sides of buses, and on cell phones.

Excerpt:

The Ministry of Education is working in conjunction with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), to establish a number of satellite centres on parenting in the parish libraries islandwide.

This was announced by Senior Adviser/Consultant to the Minister of Education, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, in an interview with JIS News on August 24.

"The Library Service is going to work with us to create information network/satellite information centres on parenting, so that we will gather parenting material locally, and international best practices. The parish libraries are linked and they have internet access, so we can have an electronic database as well as a hardcopy database and the librarians will be trained to know where the material is, so parents can come in and find material if they need it," she informed.

Jamaican High school opens new library

Title: Glenmuir High opens new library, resource centre
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Career/html/20090627T220000-0500_154339_OBS_GLENMUIR_HIGH_OPENS_NEW_LIBRARY__RESOURCE_CENTRE_.asp

Excerpt:

"The facility, which began in June 2007, is to benefit the school's population of 2,100, as well as residents of neighbouring communities in the May Pen area. It boasts new rooms for reading, data processing, e-learning, audiovisual lessons and a computer lab. It will also accommodate the school's book rental programme.

"For far too long Glenmuir High School, with its distinguished record of achievement, existed on archaic facilities in some areas and that the staff had not been properly catered for within the context of this school despite their work and effort," said school principal, Clement Radcliffe. "It was during 2002 and 2003 that the school engaged itself in the task of formulating areas of development to be initiated as part of the 45th anniversary of the school. From this initiation, the dream of having a facility of this nature became a reality."

Abstract:

The article reports on the official opening ceremony launching the new school library and resource centre at the Glenmuir High School in Clarendon, Jamaica. In the report, the school principal, Clement Radcliffe provides some background information about the facility and about the rationale behind its construction. Radcliffe also expressed his vision or hope for the library and the impact that it will have on the school and the wider community.

The latter information in the report mentions some of the donors and sponsors behind the funding of the construction of the new facility.

Poor Showing at Charity Show for Jamaican Libraries

Author: O'Hara, Fabian
Title: "Disappointing turnout for Help Jamaica charity show - But organiser not giving up"
Source: The Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: June 3, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090603/ent/ent5.html


Abstract:
The article report on the charity event put on by the German founded non-profit group, Help Jamaica. Covered in the article is information about the group's mandate to improve inner-city communities by building reading centres or libraries. Also mentioned in the article is the outcome of the charitable event, which was not well supported by patrons, though artistes and performers gave support.

Excerpt:

Disappointment was evident in the voice of Birte Timm as she reflected on the poorly-attended show.

Last Saturday, Help Jamaica foundation staged what was to be the first of a series of charity events aimed at raising funds to construct a library in the Cassava Piece community of St Andrew.

The all-day event was held at Weekenz on Constant Spring Road. In the afternoon, the children were treated to a fun day, which included performances from dancers Tippa and Hiyah Style.

A stage show in the night had a strong line-up of past, present and upcoming dancehall and reggae acts billed to perform, but hardly anyone turned up for what could have been a remarkable show. The line-up included Mavado, Cocoa Tea, Leroy Sibbles, Bugle, Sizzla and Ken Boothe.