Plans to establish a National Museum of Jamaica

Author: Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture

Title: Contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate
 Date published: May 20, 2014
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS):
URL:  http://jis.gov.jm/media/hanna-sectoral1.pdf
 

Abstract:

In her contribution to the 2014/2015 Sectoral Debate, the Minister, the Hon. Lisa Hanna, Ministry of Youth & Culture, makes several announcements regarding museums in Jamaica including:

•  the opening of three new museums for the Jamaican people - namely, the Seville, Roxborough and the People's Museum. 
• the plans afoot to open two additional museums including the National Museum of Jamaican (in Kingston) and that National Museum West (in Montego Bay).
• the reopening of the technologically enhanced Natural History Museum

In her plans outlined for the new museums, the Minister highlighted some of the funding and location arrangements being made to facilitate these new museums.





Excerpt:

For many years, in fact, since the days of our Independence, there have been calls to develop a National Museum of Jamaica which would be a museum for the people; a place where all Jamaicans, from all walks of life, could see, read and feel the amazing story that is our history. To witness the national narrative that is dramatic, extraordinary and often painful, but it is a story that all informed citizens need to be able to understand, and importantly, be able to respond to. There have been many dreams and many plans over the years for a museum but nothing has happened. Finally, we have moved to develop a National Museum of Jamaica. This museum, will be the centrepiece that spawns a network of community museums located across the island, that will implement the plans. I have overseen the establishment of the National Museum Foundation which will be raising the funds to support a National Museum in Kingston. The Council of the IOJ has designated upstairs of the 16 East Street Building as the space for this important space. I have already engaged key stakeholders, including past esteemed Prime Ministers, the Most Honourable PJ Patterson and the Most Honourable Edward Seaga who have agreed to be Patrons of our Foundation.

Concurrently, we are moving to develop the National Museum West in Montego Bay. This museum will be located in the Montego Bay Civic Centre and will explore the national narrative but with a special focus on Western Jamaica. This new centre will also incorporate elements of the National Gallery as well. It is my particular desire that National Museum West maintain a community focus with the histories and memories of our people. I am reliably informed that the National Museum Jamaica is already seeking out objects and narratives that will tell the story of our people and so I encourage members, particularly those with a Western leaning, to get involved. The Mayor of Montego Bay and his team are fully on board. Both of these projects will commence in this financial year.

I must also mention that we will be reopening our new, and modern Natural History Museum which has been closed for several years. Visitors will see a modern gallery with high tech displays as well the preservation of diverse ecosystems, plants and animals found in only in Jamaica.Funding support has been received from CHASE and TEF. We expect this to be completed before the end of this fiscal year.

Rural Jamaican public library stages first reading competition for boys

Author: Alicia Sutherland
Title: 'Boys who read will lead'
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date published: Monday, May 05, 2014  
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/results/-Boys-who-read-will-lead-_16602614

Abstract:
This news article reports on a reading competition for Grade 4 boys put on by the Manchester Parish Library. The winners of the competition are announced and background information about the purpose of the competition is given. The sponsors of the event are mentioned. It is also reported that this year was the first, for the Boy's Reading Day event.

The article reports speech from the winning school's senior teacher, Eileen Chantiloupe, who makes
mention of the refurbishing of a school library and a resource centre with computers for Richmond Primary School.

Lorraine McLean, the Director of the Jamaica Library Service in Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth), is also reported in sharing her views on the usefulness of information and communication technologies in teaching boys and her anticipation for the implementation of proposed plan of the ministry of science and technology for the distribution of electronic tablets in schools. The article also reports McLean's outlining other services and programmes of the Jamaica Library Service including being the largest provider of free Internet service to the public, the National Reading Competition, Children's Hour on Fridays and a homework programme at selected branch libraries in Region 5.


Development officer at the constituency office, Trishanna Archer, is reported as praising the Jamaica Library Service for 'a long history of making connections, showcasing love, care and appreciation for communities' as well as for the boy's reading competition initiative.


Excerpt:

The event has been taking place for the past six years in an effort to encourage Grade 4 boys to develop a positive attitude to reading and to improve their results in the Grade four Literacy Test.

Director of the Jamaica Library Service in Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth) Lorraine McLean told Jamaica Observer Central that she was particularly proud of Richmond Primary because she has seen their growth from "strength to strength".

Eileen Chantiloupe, a senior teacher at the school, said that the children are of "mixed ability" and the strategy used in teaching is to "meet them where they are".

Currently, students are engaged in storytelling, poetry writing and dramatisation.

Jamaica Library Service to benefit from special grant funding

Author: Latonya Linton
Title: Library Service Receives Boost from Gates Foundation
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published:  May 8, 2014
URL: http://jis.gov.jm/library-service-receives-boost-gates-foundation/


Abstract:
Article reports on news that the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has received US$2 million in grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A synopsis is provided of how the funds will be used, namely to implement  the ‘JLS: Using Technology to Empower Individuals and Communities for Development’ project. A synopsis of the project is provided. According to the author the project will boost public access to information resources mainly through the installation of hardware and software. The article indicates how many libraries are to benefit from the initiative, how many computer systems will be installed as well as the commencement date of the project.

This news was announced in the Minister of Education's, the Hon Rev Ronald Thwaites, address to the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate on May 7. During his address, the Minister is also reported as announcing that the Jamaica Library Service is to also benefit from grant funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Sugar Transformation Programme. The article also outlines that this grant funding is earmarked to enhance library services in select sugar dependent communities. Specifically, these projects include constructing and equipping new infant school libraries at the St. John’s and Savanna-la-mar Infant Schools in Westmoreland and Falmouth Infant School in Trelawny.
The Minister is also reported as informing the House of a planned upgrade to the Alexandria Branch Library in St. Ann through the assistance of the Government of Japan.

Excerpt:

Under this initiative, 127 public libraries will benefit from the Project; six mobile libraries will be provided; approximately 843 state-of-the-art computer systems will be installed; and senior citizens, persons from rural communities, the unemployed and persons with disabilities will be direct beneficiaries. The Project will be launched in November 2014.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Library Service is also the beneficiary of grant funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Sugar Transformation Programme totaling $58 million.

This will be used to enhance library services in select sugar dependent communities. The projects include the construction and equipping of new infant school libraries, at the St. John’s and Savanna-la-mar Infant Schools in Westmoreland and Falmouth Infant School in Trelawny.