Rural Jamaican public library holds reading championship event

Author: Claudia Gardner

Title:Youngsters Excel In Hanover Parish Library Reading Competition
Date Published: July 12, 2014
Source: The Jamaica Gleaner
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140712/western/western3.html

Abstract:
The article reports on the Hanover Parish Library's Annual National Reading Championship in Lucea, which was held under the theme 'Read: Anywhere, anytime, any book'. At that event, five reading champions were awarded. Background information on the National Reading competition and how it is adjudicated is included. Also mentioned are some of the sponsors of the event.
Excerpt:

The National Reading Competition was launched in 1988 as part of the Jamaica Library Service's 40th anniversary celebrations. The aim is to enable persons of all age groups to enjoy the benefits of reading, develop reading skills, facilitate exposure to highly rated literature, encourage reading habits, and reinforce reading as a positive and fun activity.

A mix of oral and written elements such as letters, book reviews, and puzzles were judged. The entrants' ability to read, understand and interpret set books and excerpts from books were the main determinants for selecting the respective winners.

Sponsors of the event included Dolphin Cove, Family Care Pharmacy, Grand Palladium Resort, Hanover Cooperative Credit Union, Jamaica National Building Society, Ken's Haberdashery, Kool Runnings Adventure Park, Neveast Office Depot, Sandals Resorts, Seaview Pharmacy, Snave Bookstore, Stationery Office Supplies, RIU Negril, the Rotary Club of Lucea, the Lucea branch of the National Commercial Bank, and Hoson's Food Fair.

Parents Reading with Babies and Toddlers' initiative on at Jamaican public library

Author: Alicia Forrest, Gleaner Writer
Title: St Catherine Parish Library promotes family reading
Date published: Saturday | May 24, 2014
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140524/life/life1.html

 

Abstract:

The article reports on the 'We Likkle, but We Tallawah: Parents Reading with Babies and Toddlers' initiative on at the St Catherine Parish Library.

The article reports on some highlights of the event as well as the Librarian, Shana-Lee Coley-Smith, discussing the positive outcome of the programme on the children and parents. Some highlights of the vents reported are:

·         Clarabell Solomon, distinguished secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Linstead, stressing the importance of parents listening to reading

·         A parent presenting on parenting tips, as well as on the Child Care and Protection Act, highlighting the rights of the child and the responsibilities that every parent has towards his/her child.

Also mentioned is the disclosure made by Coley-Smith that the programme has received some support from the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation.

Excerpt:

 

The 'We Likkle, but We Tallawah: Parents Reading with Babies and Toddlers' initiative has been going on at the St Catherine Parish Library since November 2012, and is held every third Saturday. As part of activities, parents of children from newborn to five years old read aloud to their children.


Librarian Shana-Lee Coley-Smith said that she has seen the impact that the programme has had on children and parents. She said: "The children interact more with the books, and they are motivated to read. For the parents, it helps them to help their children." She continued: "We have received testimonials from the parents, and overall feedback has been good."

She disclosed that she expects the programme to continue and get better, given that the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has received a boost from the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation.

 

Jamaican rural public library stages annual Boys' Reading Day

Author: ALICIA SUTHERLAND
Title: "Reading is a 'man ting': Boys urged to read, read, read ..."
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date: Tuesday, May 07, 2013
URL:  http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Reading-is-a--man-ting-_14211980

Abstract:

The article reports on an annual outreach programme by the Manchester Parish Library Network to promote reading among males in the parish. At the event for this year, the article reports on speeches by the director of the Manchester Parish Library Network, Lorraine McLean giving what appears to be a rationale for the programme and the idea behind it.  McLean also provides information on how the programme originated in the parish and why it was adopted. The event also featured speeches from two male role models, namely the head of the Area Three Police (Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth) Derrick Knight and Larone Reid, a student of Holmwood Technical High School, all emphasizing the importance and benefits of reading for males. The article further reports on other activities that took place during the day's events.

Excerpt:

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Faced with data that boys, especially, are not doing well at the Grade Four Literacy Test, the Manchester Parish Library Network has undertaken a programme to promote reading in some of the worse performing schools in the parish.
It hosts an annual Boys' Reading Day, in addition to monthly interactive sessions in individual schools.
"Boys, especially, are not doing well in the grade four literacy exam. Boys learn differently from girls and that's important for teachers to understand and be a little more creative...," regional director for the library network Lorraine McLean said.

University youth implements the Read For Life Summer Programme in Barbados

Author: Natasha Beckles
Title: Nourishing a love for books
Source: Nation News
Date published: DECEMBER 02, 2012
URL: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/nourishing-a-love-for-books/

Abstract:
The article reports on a summer reading programme for children in libraries across Barbados, the Read For Life Summer Programme. In this programme, participants as young as three years old are involved in activities to use their imaginations and creativity while discovering the fun of reading books. A brief biographical background about the founder of the programme, Gillian Rowe, is provided. Rowe  is a 22 year old history student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus.

The article discusses the outcomes and impact of the programme from Rowe's perspective. Read For Life according to Rowe, has helped to increase the usage of libraries especially during the summer, and has impacted children's personal development over the three years. Parents have also came forward seeking assistance to improve their children's reading.



How the programme was implemented is also documented. In the first year, volunteers went into the community to learn about the reading habits of children from their parents. In the second year, the children themselves were surveyed in order to find out what their favourite books were, who read to them, if they enjoyed reading and if they liked drawing pictures or imagining stories after reading a book. Based on these findings, the volunteers used the third year to locate more books that the children can relate to culturally.


Rowe make suggestions from her research about the development of children book publishing for the region. According to Rowe, children want to read about the stories and issues in their own lives of which they have questions about. Rowe is also reported as stating that there is a shortage of Barbadian and Caribbean children books, despite the quantity of teachers, writers and literary students graduating from the University of the West Indies. Rowe suggests that a publishing platform be established to to purposefully increase the quantity of regional books. Other suggestions are given in order to rectify the problem including using the submissions to the National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts (NIFCA) to discover new ideas for publication.

Rowe also discusses the partnerships that Read For Life has established including referrals of children who need extra assistance to the LITE Remedial Reading Centre. Future expansion in programming are announced, including a plan to launch the pilot phase of its Homework Helper programme which will include three schools and three branch libraries. A bit of information is provided about the homework helper program, where after school assistance will be provided to select students at the libraries who need help with their homework. This programme will be staffed with volunteers at three libraries that will provide one-on-one assistance.Rowe also announces plans for two additional end of year readings on December 22 and 29 at the Bridgetown Library, lasting for two hours, which will enable parents to have their children occupied while completing their shopping.







Excerpt: 

“We encourage children to come and use the resources in library branches for themselves, to help them with their schoolwork, to help them with general knowledge and to help them as they try to find a profession and way of life for themselves,” she said of the programme which caters to those up to the age of 18. 

The non-profit organization is staffed by a number of volunteers, many of whom are former teachers and principals and students who want to become teachers. 

However, anyone who is passionate about encouraging children and helping them to develop is welcome to volunteer since they are trained before being placed in the libraries.

New Jamaican initiative in family literacy aimed to get parent reading to babies

Author: Athaliah Reynolds, JIS Reporter
Title: PM Encourages Parents, Particularly Fathers, To Read with Children
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date: MONDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2011
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/opm-news/29481-pm-encourages-parents-particularly-fathers-to-read-with-children

Abstract:
The article reports on a speech by the Prime Minister and Education Minister addressed to parents during a
handing over ceremony of Bookstart Jamaica ‘book packs’, at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Paediatric Clinic, on Monday, December 19. What the Bookstart Jamaica project is about is outlined as well as the objectives of the programme and the vision for it to give parents and families a place in raising the literacy level of future students. Essentially the programme entails Jamaican parents of babies getting books from the government as part of an encouragement for parents to read to their children.


Excerpt:

Bookstart Jamaica is part of the Ministry of Education’s new family literacy initiative, which aims to create a nation of readers and encourage an early start to family literacy activities. Each Bookstart Jamaica ‘book pack’ has a locally developed board book suitable for infants, and information about the Jamaica Library Service, its locations and family programmes, including ‘We Likkle but We Tallawah’ - parents reading with infants and toddlers Bookstart Jamaica companion programme.

Mr. Holness noted that the programme was established as part of the Ministry’s National Literacy Strategy, as it was found that many Jamaican children were entering the school system unprepared.
“This places us at a disadvantage, because teachers now have to do the work that parents should have done as a natural part of their parenting responsibility. When we examined what was happening in the households, we realised that many parents did not understand the importance of early reading with their children,” the Prime Minister said.
He informed that the objective of Bookstart  is to provide parents with books at the earliest stage, “so that when the programme is fully implemented, every Jamaican child born in a hospital in Jamaica will be presented with a package.”

NCB Foundation donates to Mountain View Primary School library

Title: NCB shares passion for reading
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Sunday | February 20, 2011
URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110220/arts/arts6.html

Abstract:
Article reports on a local bank's initiative towards promoting reading in a Jamaican primary school. At the end of the article, NCB Foundation's contribution to the school in terms of reading and library material and equipment is mentioned.


Excerpt:

Through the NCB Foundation's 'Love for Reading' programme, the students from grades one to six sat in groups and listened keenly as NCB employees engaged and encouraged them to read.

The 'Love for Reading' programme was developed to ignite a passion and love for reading among students at the primary-school level. The programme includes NCB employees becoming personally involved by conducting reading sessions with students at primary schools islandwide with an aim to encourage them on the importance of reading. Having previously invested and partnered with Mountain View Primary School it was a natural fit for NCB to return to the school to put to work the investment.

The NCB Foundation donated $80,000 worth of books, a computer and a multimedia projector to upgrade and improve the library facilities at the school. This was done in an effort to provide an environment for the students to learn and improve their reading skills.

NALIS encourages public into Library again

Author: RESHMA BAAL
Title: NALIS encourages public into Library again
Source: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Date: Tuesday, September 28 2010
URL: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,128229.html

Abstract:
The article reports on some of the public relations and promotional activities undertaken by the National Library and Information Systems Authority’s (NALIS’) that marked its celebration of National Library Week and to promote the library's programmes and service to the public.

Excerpt:

Encourage reading. This was the message at the National Library and Information Systems Authority’s (NALIS’) fourth annual Tale-a-Ton, which was held at the National Library in Port- of-Spain at the weekend.

The Tale-a-Ton launched NALIS’ week of celebration, known as National Library Week, which runs from September 26 to October 2.

This year’s theme of National Library Week is “Get into the library again.”

Public Relations and Marketing Manager of NALIS, Debbie Goodman, said the National Library week is being used to bring into focus, the libraries and how they work, “in terms of developing communities and people.”

The 'Labour of Love': The Jamaican anti-literacy cultural project

Author: Natalie D. A. Bennett, Contributor

Title: "Confront the anti-literacy culture - Part 1"

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Date published: Sunday, October 3, 2010

URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101003/focus/focus81.html


Abstract:
The author relates her activism and project in transforming Jamaican urban public spaces into centres for the promotion of literacy in Jamaican children.

Excerpt:
Whether we realise it or not, making illiteracy a thing of the past will require far more than big speeches and grand declarations about the importance of knowing how to read. It will take work. The question is: are we ready to do what is necessary?

In August of this year, I created a project called 'Labour of Love' in Kingston and Montego Bay. Part street performance and part activism, I wanted to see what would happen if love - not charity, shame, punishment, guilt, obligation - were the driving force for engaging in intentional, and hopefully, transformative social action in Jamaica's public spaces. In ten days, I did a variety of activities: made sidewalk art, crafted wills, distributed reading material, gave away vegetable seeds, and did bra fittings. And for half of that time, I worked with school-aged children on the sidewalks of downtown Kingston. Armed with rubber-stamps, crayons, pencils, markers, word and math games, and a plethora of worksheets, I tried to tailor each child's activities to his/her abilities and interests. Age was not a useful predictor of any ability, as I discovered. A 'class' of five children quickly grew to a 'school' of over 20 by the end of the week

National Library of Guyana's readers competition finals

Author: Vanessa Narine

Title: 62 in National Library’s readers competition finals

Source: Guyana Chronicle Online

Date Published: Monday, 10 August 2009

URL: http://guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4568:62-in-national-librarys-readers-competition-finals&catid=2:news&Itemid=3#Scene_1

Abstract:

The article reports on the National Library of Guyana's reading competition. According to the article, a total of 62 individuals, teenagers and young adults, competed in the finals of the National Library’s Champion Readers Competition. Some of these participants speak about their experiences in the competition and the personal gains that resulted from competing in the programme. Among the gains of participation in the competition is the new exposure that it gave participants to books and the world of literature.

The perspective of the judges is also represented, giving another perspective as to expected or intended outcomes of the competition. Also captured is background information about the event, including the theme of the competition, the dates of the competition, its prizes and the age range of competitors.

The library's perspective is also covered, as more than one library personnel suggest goals of the programme. One of the primary goals that Ms. Jillian Thompson (the Chief librarian) pointed out is that the competition aims to promote literacy in Guyana. Other goals are also stated.


Excerpt:

A total of 62 individuals, teenagers and young adults, competed in the finals of the National Library’s Champion Readers Competition, Friday, an experience they lauded as one that helped them to look with new eyes at books and the world of literature.


The competition is one of the many events of the National Library’s centenary celebrations, held under the theme ‘Empowering the Nation through literacy’.

Chief Librarian Ms. Jillian Thompson pointed out that the promotion of literacy in Guyana was primary in the list of objectives that the competition sought to achieve.


Among the other objectives of the Champion Readers’ Competition was the need to:


* Encourage reading as a stimulating past-time among children and young adults;


* Stimulate a thirst for information through the printed medium;


* Nurture a lifelong love for reading; and


* Develop reading and comprehension skills of participants.

Session on Journalism a hit at NALIS Reading Camp

Author: Christopher Boyack

Title: Guardian’s Keithos, Loubon make a hit at Nalis camp

Source: Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Date Published: 23 Jul 2009


URL: http://guardian.co.tt/news/life/2009/07/23/guardian-s-keithos-loubon-make-hit-nalis-camp

Abstract:
The article reports on a particular interactive session at the Nalis Vacation Reading Programme Camp. The particular part of the programme in the report is that of two Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspaper staff members conducting a session on journalism for the children at the camp. The article gives a synopsis of what the session was like, indicating that the children participated in activities such as giving ideas for cartoons on current political leaders, defining who is a journalist and answering questions on current affairs. The article also reports on one of the presenters giving a promotion on the importance of reading.

Information in the report also sparsely talks about the entire camp programme. Mentioned is the fact that the camp is a four-week camp. This year it opened on July 13 and will end on August 7. The report also mentions about the demographic composition of camp participants as well as the theme of the camp.

Excerpt:

Guardian senior reporter Michelle Loubon and cartoonist Keith Anderson conducted an interactive session on journalism for children attending the Vacation Reading Programme Camp at Nalis Library, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain...

The theme of the camp is I’ve Got the Power. The children aged from seven to 12. In his avuncular manner, Anderson communicated well with the 47 children drawn from primary schools in Port-of-Spain. Armed with his crayons and pencils, he tapped into the children’s knowledge on political protagonists like Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday for the cartoon.

Jamaican Festival Queens to work with school library and promote reading

Title: Festival Queens foster development
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Entertainment/html/20090714T220000-0500_155400_OBS_FESTIVAL_QUEENS_FOSTER_DEVELOPMENT.asp

Excerpt:

The Festival Queen 2009 contestants are focusing their grace, talent, intellect and beauty on boosting Jamaica's development. The parish queens are engaged in numerous community projects that foster nation-building across Jamaica. They are tackling issues as diverse as sexuality, marginalised males, and literacy.


Literacy has the attention of Shanna-Kay Williams, Miss Portland and Kelonie Noble, Miss Hanover. Ms. Williams will be working at the Windsor Castle All-Age School library with 'Recovery of the Youth', a book drive and book club to promote reading. Ms. Noble will carry out the "Read to Succeed" project at Escher Primary.

Commentary:
On Monday, 25 May 2009, on this blog, it was posted that a Jamaican Librarian, Kelonie Noble, was crowned parish queen. This post is a follow up to that post, as it covers the national finals for the Jamaican Festival queen competition. Ms Noble, now unto the finals is engaged in a project to promote reading.

For more information on the competition visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/ms_ja_bg.htm.

For more information about the organising body behind the Jamaica Festival Queen Competition visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/index.php.

If you are still interested in knowing more about the competition and its rules, visit http://www.jcdc.org.jm/entryforms/2k9_forms/Fest_Queen_Entry_Form.pdf for guidelines.



Abstract:
Jamaican Festival Queens undertake several projects. Among them are literacy and reading promotion projects. One festival queen, Shanna-Kay Williams, Miss Portland, will be working with the school library at the Windsor Castle All-Age in a programme entitled 'Recovery of the Youth'. This project will establish both a book drive and a book club to promote reading.

Kelonie Noble, another festival queen [and Librarian], is involved in the project "Read to Succeed", which targets the Escher Primary school.

Visits to the library produces Cardiac Surgery in Guyana

Author: Sharmain Cornette

Title: Defying the odds and providing high-quality cardiac service: Dr Gary Stephens is a ‘Special Person’

Source: Kaieteur News

Date Published: May 17, 2009

URL: http://www.kaieteurnews.com/2009/05/17/defying-the-odds-and-providing-high-quality-cardiac-service/

Abstract:
The article reports on the biographical story of Dr Gary Stephens, a cardiac surgeon, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the lone Cardiac facility in Guyana, the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). His successes are traced by the author to his childhood experiences at the public library, where a librarian and her story telling sessions motivated him to read. This love of reading that was inculcated in him by the librarian lead him to read a particular book, which fed his aspiration to become a doctor.

Excerpt:

His passion for being a doctor was motivated by his visits to the library as a young boy, a pastime he managed to balance with his love for athletics. He was in fact an outstanding athlete back in the days.

But according to Dr Stephens his motivation to visit the library was driven by the way the librarian would read.

“Those were the days when the Public Library in Linden had a storytelling time in the afternoons and on Saturdays. The librarian was so good that you would make the effort to go there and sit down and listen. The way the librarian read whatever book she had, it just encouraged you to want to read. She made me want to read…you just wanted to pick up a book and just enjoy it the same way she read it to you.”

A Jamaican School reading programme

Author: Adrian Frater

Title: Gabrielle - Green Island's reading phenom

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Date Published: Friday | May 8, 2009

URL: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090508/social/social2.html

Abstract:

Article reports on the results of the work and efforts of a teacher and parent to get children involved in reading, and how it has benefited her own daughter and the school that she works for.


Excerpt:

For many, Gabrielle's brilliance is nature's way of repaying her mother for the beyond-the-call-of-duty approach she adopted when the school's reading programme was being developed two years ago. Today she works with a special group of 30 students.

"I try to develop a close relationship with them and try to get them to believe in themselves," said Salmon, who has created an incentive programme for her students, using her own money
.

Salmon, a graduate of Mico Teachers' College (now The Mico University College) has also tried to get parents involved in their children's reading, sometimes including activities for parents in the homework

Guyana's National Library sponsors competition to rekindle love for reading

Title: National Library sponsors competition to rekindle love for reading
Date Published: April 23, 2009
Source: Kaieteur News
URL: http://www.kaieteurnews.com/2009/04/23/national-library-sponsors-competition-to-rekindle-love-for-reading/


Excerpt:

In its quest to rekindle a love for reading among young children, the National Library will...commence a Champion Readers competition to involve young people countrywide.

According to Chief Librarian, Ms Gillian Thompson, the reading competition, which comes as part of the 100th anniversary of the library’s existence, is an effort to make reading more attractive to children of all ages.

Abstract:
The article provides information about the new initiative of a reading competition being launched as part of the National Library 100th anniversary celebration. Purpose of the reading programme, as well as information about how the programme is structured is provided. In the article, more details are also given regarding the National Library's plan for its 100th anniversary celebrations.