Universal Service Fund (USF) to fund the digitisation of works at the National Library of Jamaica

Author: RODGER HUTCHINSON
Title: Universal Service Fund Reports $9.7bn in Revenue
Date published: FRIDAY, 08 MARCH 2013
Source: Jamaica Information Service
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/33174


Abstract:

The article discusses the Universal Service Fund (USF), an initiative by the Jamaican government to collect funds from incoming telephone calls, to be used for developing the nation's broadband services islandwide and enable more Jamaicans to access Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The purpose and work on the USF is mentioned, which includes creating an ICT platform in secondary schools, libraries, post offices, and at community access points (CAPs). The amount of funds collected as of February 5, 2013 is mentioned. Also mentioned are some of the projects being funded, approved and even completed. One such project is the digitisation of works at the National Library of Jamaica, of which the rationale behind the approval of the digitisation project is stated.

Excerpts:

Addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday, March 6, Chief Executive Officer of the USF, Hugh Cross, said some 34 libraries, 112 schools, and 57 post offices have already been connected.  

Among other projects being undertaken is the digitisation of works at the National Library of Jamaica located at East Street downtown Kingston.

“We just approved funding for them to digitise their entire content. They have vital content on paper and we would like to move that to where it is digitised and web-enabled and accessible from anywhere in the world, because, as you know, paper will deteriorate over time,” Mr. Cross stated.

Rural school library in Jamaica mounts information literacy awareness display

Author: Karen Sudu
Title: Innswood High 'SHINE' On Jamaica Day
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday | February 23, 2013 0 Comments
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130223/lead/lead9.html#disqus_thread

Abstract:
The article reports on a rural school library in Jamaica, where Dacian Forrest-Gray, the librarian briefly discusses her school library event and the aim of the event. Mentioned is the effort to get the students to become aware of information literacy skills and its importance for their academic success.


Excerpt:
"Today, we decided to have an open day for the school library, where we showcase the library, information literacy, so we mounted a display titled SHINE - Sustained Habits for Improved Necessary Educational Empowerment," explained Dacian Forrest-Gray, librarian.

She added: "We have recognised that our students are not so much information literate and they are not so keen on their educational goals, so we want them to SHINE, and we wanted to show them students who were shining, students who have achieved," said Forrest-Gray.

The University of the West Indies, Mona launches Ebook & Tablet programme

Author: Athaliah Reynolds-Baker
Title: Ministers Hail UWI E-Book Project
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published: Thursday, 21 February 2013 09:16
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/component/content/article/100-education/33037-ministers-hail-uwi-e-book-project



Abstract:
This article reports on speeches made at the launch of the University of West Indies (UWI), Mona project dubbed the: ‘UWI/Total Electronic Solution Tablet (TEST)’. The reporter reports the reaction of the Education minister, the Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites commending the university for the initiative and stating how much the ministry spends on purchasing print materials annually.

Details are provided about the project which involves medical students receiving  tablet computers made by a local company JLMobile for a one time charge of US$200 with an arrangement for seven-month's warranty and technical support for the duration of the course. The electronic textbooks however are provided by an overseas-based company VitalSource, via its Bookshelf application. This arrangement is said to enable each student to access 18 core medical texts at a cost of US$199.76 per year. This sum is compared to the total cost of purchasing all 18 books in hard copy.

Also mentioned is the reaction of the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, who also attended the launch. Minister Paulwell congratulated those responsible expressing his pleasure at the embrace of ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) in Jamaica to solve problems.

Further background is provided about how the e-book programme came into being.  The Principal, of UWI, Mona, Professor Gordon Shirley reportedly states that the project is the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Prof. Shirley also discusses the aims of the program and how the students will access the books. Prof. Shirley also mentions his hopes for the programme as well as the current adoption rate for this new initiative. He also announces in the report plans to expand the project across all faculties and future partnerships to introduce the programme to secondary institutions across the island.


Excerpt:

Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has hailed the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) electronic book (e-book) initiative, noting that it will save students significant sums in textbook costs.

Under the project, being piloted in the medical faculty, students will be able to digitally access all their texts and journals at a fraction of the cost of printed material.

Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, February 19, at the Medical Sciences Building, Minister Thwaites said the initiative must be applauded, as it forms part of the Ministry’s thrust to use technology to improve the education system.

“We spend roughly $3 billion a year in this country purchasing school books. The state spends about a third of that and this project represents the application of technology, which will remove the burden of the heavy cost of printed material, which many of our parents can scarcely bear,” he stated.