Museum to be established in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Author: Leon McPherson and/or Bryan Miller  

Title: Fencing of Montego Bay Civic Centre to Cost $17 Million
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Regional Office (Montego Bay)
Date published: Sunday, 7 July 2013
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/component/content/article/108-youth-sport-culture/34505-fencing-of-montego-bay-civic-centre-to-cost-17-million

Abstract:
This article reports on comments by both the Mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, and the Executive Director of the Tourist Enhancement Fund (TEF), Clyde Harrison, mentioning plans to establish a museum in Montego Bay. The site identified for the museum is at the Montego Bay Civic Centre at the historic Sam Sharpe Square. It will be established by the St. James Parish Council in association with the Institute of Jamaica with funding from the Tourist Enhancement Fund.

Excerpt:

According to Mayor of Montego Bay,  Glendon Harris, there is a long term proposal to properly utilize the area reserved for a bistro, and to establish a museum,  that will help to  provide a relaxing atmosphere.

The Mayor said that the work being carried out will allow for better control in and around the facility. 

Executive Director of the TEF, Clyde Harrison, said his organization has plans for more work to be done at the centre. 

“The vision is to establish a museum, in association with the Institute of Jamaica; an arts centre; a bistro and a logo shop,” he explained.

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.

Jamaica Library Services' Literacy Intervention programme

Author: Lorraine McLean
Title: The JLS's Literacy Intervention programme
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-JLS-s-Literacy-Intervention-programme_14523529


Abstract:
This article is a letter to the editor of the Jamaica Observer from the Regional Director of the Manchester Parish Library Network, Lorraine McLean, reporting on the Jamaica  Library Services' Literacy Intervention programme. Within the article, information is provided about the Jamaica Library Service, the history of the literacy intervention programme and some of the activities and events under the programme.

Excerpt:

The JLS, in support of the goals and objectives of the MOE, embarked on a pilot project to implement its Grade 4 Literacy Intervention Programme which began in Region 3 and was extended to the other five regions. Region 3 of the JLS comprises 170 school libraries in the parishes of Manchester and Clarendon.

The Literacy Intervention Programme began with two schools in Manchester where children were encouraged to participate in activities related to lessons taught from the Grade 4 curriculum. The activities were practical and so students were excited to share their thoughts in a manner which allowed them to express themselves confidently and fluently.

English was the language of choice, but they were allowed to speak in patois as well. Students were rewarded with small tokens and so they were motivated to work hard.