Jamaican librarians urged to facilitate discussion on logistics hub

Author: Alphea Saunders
Title: Libraries Urged to Facilitate Discussion on Logistics Hub
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published: January 31, 2014
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/libraries-urged-facilitate-discussion-logistics-hub/


Abstract:
The article reports on a speech delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Elaine Foster Allen, given at the opening of the two-day Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)/Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) conference on January 30, at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston. At that event, the Mrs. Foster Allen urged libraries to assume the role of being a place for Jamaicans to seek and hear discussion on the Jamaica logistics hub initiative. The Permanent Secretary also informed her audience about the Education Ministry's plan to re-establish an education broadcasting service. Mrs. Foster Allen also called on librarians to play a role in ensuring access to this planned service.

Some details are provided about this education broadcasting service including the use of available space for public broadcasting on cable television and the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Also mentioned is the use of the Jamaica Library Service, which is the largest single provider of free access to computers, the Internet and all the resources that are available.
Also reported is the remarks of the President of the LIAJA, Matthew Blake, about how the conference. Finally, mentioned also in brief is the theme of the conference and some of the topics for discussion.

Expert:

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Elaine Foster Allen, has urged libraries to open up the public discussion on the Jamaica logistics hub initiative, as more Jamaicans seek information about this major development project.

She said because of their location in communities, libraries are ideally placed to be focal points for discussion, debates, discourse, and information on national development issues.

“I have heard lots of people talking about the logistics hub…the library is well positioned to point people in the direction of what they need to know,” she stated.

Mrs. Foster Allen was speaking at the opening of the two-day Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)/Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) conference on January 30, at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Jamaica Library Service gets grant for ICT resources

Title: Jamaica Library Service gets grant to boost ICT resources
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Saturday, December 21, 2013
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaica-Library-Service-gets-grant-to-boost-ICT-resources

Abstract:
The article announces the funding of US$2 million to the Jamaica Library Services (JLS) for
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources and projects in Jamaican public libraries. The article also reports comments from both Education Minister, Ronald Thwaites and Paul Lalor, Chairman of the Board of the JLS, expressing appreciation for the award of the grant and indicating the implications of what the funding will allow the JLS to accomplish in Jamaica's public libraries.


Excerpt:
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) received a grant of US$2 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation based in Seattle, United States of America, which will, along with co-funding of US$1.1 million from the Jamaican Government, help the JLS to boost Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources in public libraries.

The funds will also enable JLS to provide additional training for staff and users, enhance programmes and services and support a comprehensive advocacy and marketing campaign.


In July the foundation advised the JLS of the granting of the award for the charitable purpose to enrich lives and ultimately contribute to the achievement of the country’s Vision 2030, Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.

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.

Media Literacy promotion to begin in Jamaica

Title: Broadcasting Commission Promotes Media Literacy
Source: KINGSTON: Jamaica Information Service (JIS)
Date Published: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/officePM/html/20091230T190000-0500_22385_JIS_BROADCASTING_COMMISSION_PROMOTES_MEDIA_LITERACY.asp

Abstract:
Article reports on an interview conducted with the Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, Cordel Green. Green in the interview states that Jamaicans' participation in the new information economy, needs to move from the position of just being consumers to also being producers of information. TO achieve this, Green suggests that Jamaica needs a media literate populace. Green then highlights the role of the Broadcasting Commission and its role in the development of a media literate populace.

Excerpt:

Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordel Green, has said that if Jamaica is to participate, fully, in the new information economy, it will need to develop a media literate population.

According to the Executive Director in an interview with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Jamaicans must not be satisfied just being consumers of the products, but must also aim to become creators.

"The ability to access the internet and information is just one part of media literacy, we must also be able to interpret what it is that we are receiving and, most importantly, be able to create content to be able to participate fully in this new information economy and be able to guide ourselves along the highway", he said.

Sixth youth information centre established in Jamaica

Title: Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre to open in St Ann
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Friday, July 10, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090710T010000-0500_155098_OBS_MARCUS_GARVEY_YOUTH_INFORMATION_CENTRE_TO_OPEN_IN_ST_ANN.asp

Excerpt:

The centre is expected to have, among other things, a cyber centre with over 14 computers, rap room where young people can share ideas, an area for physically-challenged youths and a Garvey memorial area, which will provide information on Garvey's life and work.

Abstract:

The article details the agreements made by Jamaica's National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), UNICEF and the St Ann Parish Council to set up a Marcus Garvey Information Centre at "the site that once housed a skills training centre named after the national hero". This information centre is aimed at providing youth in the parish with facilities for information sharing and access. Plans are also outlined about more such centres to be established in the parish as well as throughout the entire island. The site will also provide information about the life of Marcus Garvey, one of Jamaica's national hero, who originated from the parish.

Jamaican Youths satisfied with New Youth Information Centre

Author: Gardner, Claudia
Title: New youth centre turns heads
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090516/lead/lead3.html



Abstract:

The article covers the reaction of several students to the opening of the National Centre for Youth Development's (NCYD) Youth Information Centre (YIC)at Humber Avenue in Montego Bay, St. James. The services and the facilities of the YIC are higlighted, which include "a cyber-café with free Internet access; a resource area and a conference room for meetings; counselling and referral services; empowerment sessions; career development and training opportunities". The purpose for the centres are also discussed. Chief among the mission of the YIC is to "allow youth to be comfortable, discussing and accessing information on issues concerning them - from safe sex to HIV/AIDS to employment and personal advancement." Further mention is also made about the Government's plan to ensure that YICs are operational in all parishes within the next three years. The Government's vision for these YICs is to "facilitate the empowerment of young people through the provision of information in a non-judgmental and friendly environment".

Excerpt:

Shabelle Johnson, a 14-year-old student of St James High School, told The Gleaner she spent her after-school hours at the centre following the shift-system school's dismissal at 12:15 p.m.

"My friends told me about it and I have been visiting for several weeks now. I like the quietness here. I also get to print assignments free of cost," she said.

"I prefer to visit here than going to the school or the parish library because students tend to fuss and sometimes I don't get through with the assignment because we only get a short amount of time on the computers."

Educators say that Internet makes Jamaican students lazy

Author: NADINE WILSON Career & Education staff reporter wilsonn AT jamaicaobserver.com

Title: 'Internet making students lazy': Educators say better monitoring of use required

Date Published: Sunday, April 12, 2009

URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Career/html/20090411T220000-0500_149225_OBS__INTERNET_MAKING_STUDENTS_LAZY__.asp


Excerpt:

FOR many of Jamaica's students, the Internet is easily accessible and convenient, allowing them the opportunity, at the click of a mouse, to get their hands on the answers to an abundance of homework questions. And that is precisely the problem that educators are having with the technology.

Teachers complain that while the existence of the Internet has its advantages, it also helps to promote laziness among students, which manifests itself in their poor academic performance at exam time and in their school-based assessments (SBAs).

Abstract:

Article reports on the observations of educators about the impact of the Web on student academic work, abilities and achievement. The report chronicle negative observations made by educators about the quality of the work of students and their lack of critical thinking and analytical skills, which they attribute to the increased access to the Web.

Jamaica Library Service Making Use of ICT

Title: Jamaica Library Service Making Use of ICT

Author: DOUGLAS McINTOSH

Source: Jamaica Information Service,

Date: Tuesday, May 06, 2008

URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/education/html/20080506t110000-0500_15073_jis_jamaica_library_service_making_use_of_ict.asp

Abstract:

The Director General of the Jamaica Library Service discusses plans to make the islandwide public libraries community points for computer and internet access, so that persons can use these facilities free of cost.