National Library of Jamaica's holdings to be placed on Worldcat

Author: Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture
Title: Contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate
Date published: May 20, 2014
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS):
URL:  http://jis.gov.jm/media/hanna-sectoral1.pdf
 

Abstract:

The Hon. Lisa Hanna, the Minister responsible for the portfolio of the Ministry of Youth & Culture, announces a number of events and plans for the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ). Among the events mentioned are:

• the NLJ's 2014 Distinguished Lecture to be presented by novelist, poet and Panama historian Miss Olive Senior to mark the Centenary of the Panama Canal and its impact and influence on the construction of Jamaica's economy and culture.
• The award of Poet Laureate to Professor Mervyn Morris

Also mentioned in her speech to Parliament are the plans afoot to:

• outsource the NLJ's catalogue to OCLC's Worldcat Local 
• the launch of a digitized encyclopaedia of Jamaica for local and global references
• and the digitization of  legacy 16 millimetre film resources for dissemination through social media

Excerpt:

The National Library in an effort to maximise use of its resources will implement an alternative to the current library management system, which though very low in cost is the most effective at showcasing the NLJ resources locally and globally. The new system Worldcat Local will place the catalogue of the library's holdings into a global library catalogue that is discoverable through popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. In a real way this new system will truly enable Jamaica to the World. 

In addition, in recognition of the public's preferred mode of accessing information we launched the National Library of Jamaica Digital Collection. NLJDigital will create a digitized encyclopaedia of Jamaica for local and global references. This digital encyclopaedia includes material from the library's paper and photograph collection as well as the full text of18th and 19th century Jamaican books already digitised by Google.

In a further move to preserve the nation's intellectual output, this year we will be transferring the legacy 16 millimetre film resources to digital and the concomitant dissemination of these resources through programming and social media.

 

Georgetown School of Nursing to get 'virtual' library

Author: Anthony Layne  
Title: Health sector skills capacity boosted as 91 medical personnel complete training programme
Source: Guyana Chronicle
Date published: 5 December 2012

URL: http://www.guyanachronicle.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52578:health-sector-skills-capacity-boosted-as-91-medical-personnel-complete-training-programme&catid=2:news&Itemid=3

Abstract:
This article reports on a speech made by the Guyanese Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, delivered at the graduation of clinical and technical trainees at the National Cultural Centre. In that speech, the Minister announces plans to have the Georgetown School of Nursing upgrade its library to a virtual one with the installation of computers and Wireless Internet. In addition, the library will be expanded to accommodate more persons.

Excerpt:

"Georgetown School of Nursing—at the centre of controversy in recent times—will soon have its library upgraded to a virtual library with the installation of computers and hot spot. Further,the school’s resource centre will be expanded  and so will the classrooms to alleviate the cramped conditions."

Students from Belize to benefit from e-library service

Title: Students to benefit from e-library service
Date published: Saturday, 29 October 2011
Source: The [Belize] Reporter
URL: http://www.reporter.bz/index.php?mod=article&cat=General&article=5330

Abstract:

Article reports on an announcement made by Belize's Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber and Chief Librarian for the Belize National Library Service, Joy Ysaguirre, about the national access for students at all levels of education to over 20, 000 e-resources accessible from their home. Access will be provided through the National Library of Belize, who will supply the password to those patrons interested. The proprietary e-library vendor behind the provision of these electronic resources is named, as well a brief profile on the company and its services.

Excerpt:

Students all across Belize now have free access to more than  20,000 online publications, because  the Government of Belize has added EBSCO Publishing’s extensive e-library program to the list of  educational resources available to students.

The program will grant students of all academic levels access to a database comprised of thousands of full text publications including journals, magazines, newspapers and more.

UWI St. Augustine campus launches single virtual library space

Author: Charles Kong Soo

Title: UWI leads ‘by miles’ with virtual library
Source: Trinidad & Tobago Guardian Online
Date Published: October 18, 2011
URL: http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2011/10/17/uwi-leads-miles-virtual-library

Abstract: 
The article reports on a speech by Professor Clement Sankat, PVC and St Augustine campus principal at the launch of The UWI Libraries’ Information Connexion (UWIlinC): single virtual library space at the campus’ Alma Jordan Library on October 4. In this speech, Sankat reveals how the library positions the university globally, regionally and locally revealing how a university library can contribute to the enhanced status of a university. The article also reports on Sankat's perception of the mission of the single virtual library space.

Excerpt:

The University of the West Indies’ (UWI) new single virtual library space is a major milestone as the university continues to lead “by miles” in competitive higher education, says Professor Clement Sankat, PVC and St Augustine campus principal. He was speaking at the launch of The UWI Libraries’ Information Connexion (UWIlinC): single virtual library space at the campus’ Alma Jordan Library on October 4. “This is a very big day for the university. It is a major milestone as the university continues to evolve and make itself known to the world,” Sankat said. “To bring all the UWI subscribed resources and the intellectual output from our various library collections and to make these available to users locally, regionally and internationally is truly phenomenal. 

Regional Libraries Going Digital

Title: Regional Libraries Expected to be Fully Digital in Five Years

Date: Saturday, June 07, 2008

Source: MONTEGO BAY (Jamaica Information Service)

URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/information/html/20080607T130000-0500_15551_JIS_REGIONAL_LIBRARIES_EXPECTED_TO_BE_FULLY_DIGITAL_IN_FIVE_YEARS.asp

Abstract:

A report on the Association of Caribbean University Research and Institutional Libraries
Conference in Montego Bay, based on interviews with the local organisers of the conference. The report covers the theme of the conference and the expectations of the impact of the conference on regional library services.

Extract from the Source:
"Libraries in Jamaica and across the wider Caribbean region are expected to be fully digital and automated in another five years, making them more user-friendly and information more accessible to students in the global e-environment."

Evaluation:
A number of spelling errors plague the article. Also there is no signed author (so no one to hold responsible for the spelling errors and inaccuracies in the article). Despite these, the primary sources referred to in the article are reliable. In addition, the article is produced by the state runned news agency.