Disapperance of 1985-1992 parliamentary records in Guyana

Title: Disappearance of parliamentary records not deliberate -Ramkarran
Source: Stabroek
Date: Sunday, August 26, 2012
URL:  http://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/news/stories/08/26/disappearance-of-parliamentary-records-not-deliberate/

Abstract:
This article makes the revelation that transcripts recording Guyana's parliamentary activities and proceedings for the period of 1985 to 1992 are missing.  Featured in the article is the former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran confirming the missing records, but denying that the gap is intentional.

Excerpt:

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran has acknowledged gaps in the parliamentary records but dismisses any assertions that their disappearance is deliberate, saying that it was under his stewardship that programmes commenced to bring the records up to date.

This follows revelations from Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and his predecessor Frank Narain as to what might have happened to transcripts for the period 1985 to 1992.

Barbados Archives urged to digitize

Author: (JH)
Title: Digitise records
Date published: June 4, 2012
Source: The Barbados Advocate
URL: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=25110

Abstract:
This article reports on comments made by a historian, Dr. David Browne, who delivered a public lecture as part to celebrate Archives Awareness Month 2012. At that event, Dr. Browne makes a number of comments, remarks, observations and suggestions, some of which are documented by the reporter. One such suggestion was that the Barbados Depart ment of Archives needs digitize its records to keep up with modern technological advancements, despite unavailability of resources. Browne articulates that access and preservation of archive materials are important to researchers, and makes suggestion about businesses needing to practice good record keeping and that schools need to create School Archives in similar ways that they have school libraries.



Excerpt:

THE BARBADOS Department of Archives must reposition itself for the modern era and the technological advancement that comes with it.

This observation was made recently by Dr. David Browne, who was delivering a public lecture on the topic “Preserving Archives as Evidence” in the 3Ws Oval. The lecture was hosted by the Archives Department and the West Indies Federal Archives Centre in celebration of National Archives Awareness Month 2012.

Acknowledging the current challenges which exist and which have existed for quite some time, namely the unavailability of resources, he said that access and preservation of this material is critical, particularly as it relates to persons seeking to carry out research on a given topic.

“More and more, information and documents are [being] produced digitally and stored in this fashion. I understand that the Archives Department was looking at the digitisation of records [and] that is the way to go.”
His comments came as he also questioned the purpose of record-keeping, whether it is for the use of researchers or just for posterity, otherwise known as the community memory.

UWI libraries gets BBC Caribbean archives

Photographer: Garfield Robinson
Title: UWI gets BBC Caribbean archives
Source: Jamaican Observer
Date Published: Sunday, November 06, 2011
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/UWI-gets-BBC-Caribbean-archives_10097323

Abstract:
The article is actually just a caption to a photograph, that captures or documents the official handing over ceremony for the BBC Caribbean Service 1988 to 2011 archives .

Excerpt:

University of the West Indies (UWI) librarian Jennifer Josephs and UWI vice chancellor E Nigel Harris show off the BBC Caribbean 1988 to 2011...The occasion was the official handover ceremony for the archives, held Friday at the universities multifunction room.

UWI acquires and provides access to BBC Caribbean Archive 1988-2011

Title: BBC Caribbean Archive 1988-2011

Source: DSpace development team at the The Alma Jordan Library of The University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
tel. 1 (868) 662 2002
URL: http://uwispace.sta.uwi.edu/dspace/handle/2139/11134

Abstract:
The University of West Indies has acquired the holdings of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Caribbean Service archives of recordings for the period 1988-2011. The context behind the acquisition is provided. Information is also provided about the scope of the collection and the types of subjects and content it covers. Information is also provided about how to access the archived recordings.

Excerpt:

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Caribbean Service donated its archive of recordings to The University of the West Indies (UWI) after it ceased broadcasting on March 25, 2011. This archive of audio recordings covers the period 1988-2011, when the BBC Caribbean Service operated mainly as a news and current affairs department. During this period, the flagship programmes of the department were the BBC Caribbean Report (morning and evening drivetime editions) and Caribbean Magazine, a programme that reflected the human face of the news agenda as well as reporting on the Caribbean region's music, literature, and other cultural issues. The BBC Caribbean Archive at The UWI provides a unique contemporary record of the political, social cultural and economic issues pertaining to the Caribbean, and will therefore serve an a very important facility for research regionally and extra-regionally.

Miss Lou's archive goes to Canadian university

Title: Miss Lou's archive goes to Canadian university
Author: Jamaica Information Service (JIS)
Date published: Sunday | February 6, 2011
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110206/ent/ent2.html


Abstract:
The article reports on the decision to donate Miss Lou's papers and writings to a Canadian university for digitization. This action will take place at a presentation during an event dubbed, 'Walk Good: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Miss Lou', to be held at the McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business, Ron Joyce Centre. The rationale for why the papers are being donated to the university is given by one of the persons responsible for Miss Lou's estate, Judge Pamela Appelt.



Excerpt:

"Judge Pamela Appelt, who served as co-executor of Miss Lou's estate, said the gift to the university will consist of all of Miss Lou's papers, photos and works in her possession when she died in July 2006, in Canada, where she resided for many years.

"We are talking about some 80 boxes of materials," said Appelt during a recent interview with JIS News.

"The university will digitise all the material that they will receive and it will be available for anybody around the world to see and learn more about Miss Lou," she added."

UWI assists Haitian National Archives and National Library

Title: UWI Assists in Rebuilding Higher Education in Haiti
Source: The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Date Posted: October 29, 2010
URL: http://myspot.mona.uwi.edu/proffice/newsroom/entry/3993


Abstract:
UWI provides assistance to assist the staff of the National Library of Haiti and the Haitian National Archives.

Excerpt
In July a team from Mona traveled to Haiti. In Port-au-Prince they organized and delivered two workshops in basic binding and conservation techniques for staff of the National Library of Haiti and the Haitian National Archives. Additionally, they assisted with repair/restoration work and monitored the work being done by the persons trained. Also, a librarian from the National Library of Haiti is now on internship at the Main library of the Mona Campus.

CHASE spends $21.5 million upgrading Jamaican libraries & archives

Author: KARYL WALKER Crime/Court Desk co-ordinator walkerk AT jamaicaobserver.com
Title: CHASE spends $21.5 million upgrading libraries, archives
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009

URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/160696_CHASE-spends--21-5-million-upgrading-libraries--archives

Abstract:
This article reports on a number initiatives funded by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund. The funds disbursed for 2009 amounted to $21.5 million for projects such as the upgrading of some 11 libraries and archives. Special mention is made of a project to digitise the historical of the former prime minister Edward Seaga. A brief report is also made of the digitization of some of the audio visual tapes of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. Future plans to fund a project of digitization at the Institute of Jamaica is also mentioned.


Excerpt:

Digitisation of the historical records of former prime minister Edward Seaga.

Heaven said the fund was working on digitalising the records of not only Seaga, but would bring the entire library and archive system into the modern era.

He said the former state-owned Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation has recorded on outdated audio visual tapes important historical events which needed to be modernised in order to preserve the nation's history for generations to come.

"We are currently at the Institute of Jamaica updating their archives to make it current. You will also be able to see Mr Seaga's first budget presentation which was on a yellow sheet of paper. These will be accessible to not just the university but the entire population," Heaven said.

The Barbados Archives Department's ‘We Island Story’ Exhibit

Author: J.H.
Title: Archives Department shares ‘We Island Story’
Source: The Barbados Advocate
Date Published: May 14, 2009
URL: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=lifestyle&NewsID=3622
Abstract:

The article reports on the “We Island Story” exhibit and the objective of the exhibit. Among the objective is the showcasing of the Archives role and mission in the preservation of the nation's history and cultural heritage. Information is given about the work of the archives and its services.

Excerpt:

AS part of Archives Awareness Month 2009, an exhibition entitled "We Island Story" was officially launched at the Barbados Archives Department yesterday.