Jamaican alumni association plans fundraising concert for digital library project

Title: Classical duo to perform at Mico - School to use concert funds to digitise library
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date published: April 16, 2013
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130416/ent/ent2.html

Abstract:
This article reports on a fundraising event planned by the Mico Old Student Association (MOSA). The fundraiser is a concert featuring two Jamaican international classical vocal artistes. Funds raised from ticket purchases  for the concert are to go towards digitisation of the archives and scholarly collections of The Mico's Renford Shirley Library. The project is estimated at $10-million. When completed, the digital library will feature a gallery of historical photographs, early prints, as well as newspaper and journal articles. The new digital library will also provide users with the opportunity to tag and add metadata. The college librarian, Vinell Spied, is briefly reported as giving a statement on the importance of this digital library initiative.

Excerpt:


Two of Jamaica's internationally acclaimed classical artistes, Curtis Watson and Pauline Forrest-Watson, will be the featured performers at the Mico Old Student Association's (MOSA) fund-raising concert entitled 'Evening of Classical Ballads', scheduled to take place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

The concert is being held under the distinguished patronage of Sir Kenneth and Lady Hall.

While patrons attending this event will get another opportunity to enjoy the musical mastery of the classical couple, they will also be contributing to MOSA's efforts to preserve and digitise the extensive historical archives and scholarly collections of The Mico's Renford Shirley Library, to create a more user-centred information portal that can be shared locally and globally.

UWI St. Augustine library acquires Eastern Caribbean Folk Recordings

Author: DAVID CUFFY

Title: UWI receives Alan Lomax and JD Elder Collection
Date Published: Wednesday, June 20, 2012
URL: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-06-20/uwi-receives-alan-lomax-and-jd-elder-collection

Abstract:

The article records the acquisition of the Alan Lomax and Jacob D Elder Collection of Folk Recordings by the Alma Jordan Library of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The acquisition of these materials comes at the 50th anniversary of when the field recordings were made in 1962 by Alan Lomax, with assistance from JD Elder. The contents of the acquisitions are described and some background information on Lomax and Elder (the collectors) are provided.

Details of the ceremony celebrating the handover to the institution are described including the location of the event. Also mentioned is a concurrent event, the Caribbean and Latin America three-day 57th annual Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials  (SALALM) hosted by the UWI campus libraries, National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) and the Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT). A few details about the conference are provided including the mission of SALALM. 



Excerpt:

A symbolic handing over of The Alan Lomax and Jacob D Elder Collection of Folk Recordings to the Alma Jordan Library of the University of the West Indies (UWI) took place at Theatre 1, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain, on Monday evening.

The event, A Cultural Journey—An Evening of History, Music and Dance, was in honour of participants from the Caribbean and Latin America attending the three-day 57th annual Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials  (SALALM) hosted by the UWI campus libraries, National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) and the Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT), which began at Hilton Trinidad and Conference on June 17.

SALALM’s primary missions are the control and dissemination of bibliographic information about all types of Latin American publications, and the development of library collections of Latin America in support of educational research. This year is the 50th anniversary of the field recordings made in 1962 by Alan Lomax, with assistance from JD Elder and according to Dr Rosita Sands of the Lomax Archive, it is a sweeping survey of the music of 12 islands, inclusive of Grenada, Anguilla, St Lucia, St Kitts/Nevis, Carriacou, Dominica, Martinique, St Barthelemey, Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago.

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.

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. 

UWI Cave Hill students protest reduced library hours

Title: Students protest library hours

Author: ES/MM
Source: Barbados Nation News
Date: Sat, October 15, 2011

URL: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/students-protest-library-hours/

Summary:

The article reports on a protest staged by students at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). It indicates the protest comes as a result of a decision to close the main library at 6 p.m. on Fridays instead of 11 p.m as a 'cost cutting measure' for the university administration. The article mentions the president of the Students Guild, Odwin Trenton, as the organiser of the protest. Trenton reports that the university’s administrators did not involve the student body in talks regarding the reduced hours, but assumed low library usage on weekends.

Excerpt:

DOZENS OF STUDENTS staged a protest at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) yesterday because of a decision to close the main library at 6 p.m. on Fridays instead of 11 p.m.
The early closure is a cost cutting measure because of the institution’s “dire financial situation,” a press release from the university’s office of Public Information said yesterday.

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."

University of West Indies Mona library installs new library security system

Author: LUKE DOUGLAS Career & Education writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Title: US$90,000 UWI library security system could save millions
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Sunday, January 23, 2011


URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/US-90-000-UWI-library-security-system-could-save-millions_8307297


Abstract:
Article reports on the security system recently installed at the University of the West Indies' (UWI's) main library. The purpose of the system and a brief overview of how it works is also reported. The article also gives a report on the company behind the library security system, 3M.

Excerpt:
A state-of-the-art security system recently installed at the University of the West Indies' (UWI's) main library is expected to prevent millions of dollars in losses while preserving the institution's rare and important scholarly works.

A feature of the new system is that the library's doors are automatically locked if an attempt is made to take a book out of the facility without it being properly checked out.

UWI, Mona Main Library Implements New Security System

Title: UWI, Mona Main Library To Implement New Security System
Source: The University of the West Indies, Mona, Public Relations Office Press Release
Date Posted: January 18, 2011
URL: http://myspot.mona.uwi.edu/proffice/newsroom/entry/4067

Abstract:
The press release announces the ceremonial launch of the new 3M Library Security System implemented by University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. Proposed benefits of the system is also discussed. plus a brief announcement the scholarship to be made available for a student to pursue studies at the Department of Library and Information Studies in the campus.


Excerpt:

The 3M Library Security System will offer an improved experience to the UWI, Mona student population and other users. The System will secure the Main Library’s valuable and significant collections and paves the way for the introduction of self check machines which will allow users to check items out themselves at their own pace thereby transforming the Library’s operations.

The Seaga Collection Preview at UWI Mona

Author: Kimone Thompson
Title: The wait is still on for the tantalising Seaga collection
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Sunday, May 03, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090502T220000-0500_150667_OBS_THE_WAIT_IS_STILL_ON_FOR_THE_TANTALISING_SEAGA_COLLECTION_.asp
Abstract:

Article provides information about a special collection being established at the Main Library of the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The collection will contain information about Jamaica's social and political history compiled by Seaga based on his experiences and involvement in Jamaica's politics and society. The article also makes mention of perceptions of several dignitaries of the contribution that Seaga has made to Jamaica, as one of the longest serving politician and public figure and their reaction to the preview of the collection.

Excerpt:

The University of the West Indies (UWI) which houses the collection, staged a whet-the-appetite launch last Thursday at the Main Library on the Mona Campus at which benefactors like Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Maurice Facey, and government ministers Mike Henry and Andrew Holness, among other dignitaries, came to give their blessing.

Already described as the "most extensive" collection of Jamaica's social and political history in one location, the body of works comprises a compilation of 27 speeches made by Seaga in the past four years titled Revelations: beyond Political Boundaries; a book titled The Grenada Intervention: the Inside Story; Seaga's autobiography in two volumes; a digitised collection of papers and recordings and a compilation of macroeconomic data from 1950 to 2007.

The collection - catalogued under the UWI's West Indian Collection, and undertaken with funds raised by the institution's development and endowment fund - was put together by Seaga who was made a Distinguished Fellow in the UWI School of Graduate Studies and Research in 2005.

UWI Mona Campus Opens New Postgraduate Learning Commons

Notice:
The following is a record of an event that took place on Thursday February 5, 2009. While I was present at the event, and am capable of providing further information/details, seeing that I have no formal training in journalism, I prefer to report the facts that have been documented elsewhere. My personal belief is that journalism is a profession and that those who are trained to report events should do the job. However, news will not always be discovered by the journalist. As such, as a citizen journalist I provide the sources of information, whereby the real journalists and researchers can investigate the actual facts.

Event: The Opening of the New Postgraduate Learning Commons at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus Main Library.

Location:The Mezzanine Floor of the Main Library of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica, W.I.

Source: University of the West Indies, Mona Campus

URL: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/notices/2009/pglc.pdf

Abstract:
The Principal Prof. Gordon Shirley, opened the Library's new
Postgraduate Learning Commons (PGLC) on Thursday February 5, 2009. The ribbon was cut by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Nigel Harris and one of the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, now Honorary Distinguished Fellow, Hon. Edward Seaga.

The PGLC room will be open to postgraduates from Friday February 6, 2009.