Governor General, His Excellency, The Most Honorable professor Sir Kenneth Hall presents the proclamation to Mr. Paul Lalor Chairman, Jamaica Library B

The Jamaica Library Service began celebrations marking its sixtieth (60^th) year of existence in May 2008. Since its establishment in 1948, the organization has grown to encompass a network 610 service points, including 18 areas of service to special categories of users and 926 school libraries. Through this dynamic network, the organization plays a major role in the development of Jamaicans; with access to information of all types, providing them with the tools for continuing education thereby enabling opportunities for social and economic advancement and well-being. 

The institution is far advanced in its evolution as a dynamic, technology-enhanced and client focused entity, fully responsive to the demands of an information driven and increasingly globalized environment. It is also with a strong sense of achievement that we began offering free access to computers and the Internet in all public libraries on May 1, 2008. 

With a sense of achievement and promise for the future, the Jamaica Library Service has organized a year-long programme of activities under the theme, “Honouring the Past.. Repositioning for the Future”, to mark this most significant milestone in its history and in the history of the nation.

Honouring the Past…

The Jamaica Library Service evolved through a partnership with the British Council and the Government of Jamaica in 1948. Public libraries already existed in Manchester (1938), St. Elizabeth (1944), St. James (1944), Westmoreland (1946), and St. Ann, (1947). Jamaica Library Service Headquarters was built in 1958 and by 1968 the following major improvements had been made

−       The passing and amendment of the Jamaica Library Service Law (1949, 1961)

−       13 Parish Libraries

−       46 Branch Libraries

−       139 Book Centres

−       64 Bookmobile stops

−       1,704,136 books borrowed by 296,485 readers

−       813 primary and junior secondary schools provided with library facilities by the library service

This remarkable development of the organization could not be realized without the invaluable contributions made by volunteers both individual and organizational, members of Parish and Branch Library Committees, staff and others who assisted in laying the foundation for the Library Service.

On the celebration of 21 years of service (1949) the then Governor-General of Jamaica, His Excellency Sir Clifford Campbell, noted that, “the invaluable assistance in building the nation and dispelling ignorance and giving educational stability can never be over-estimated. From now on we can calculate on greater speed in expanding the service to lovers of literature and history…by persistence and hard work we shall be able to develop a much higher sense of intelligence by correct use of our Library Services.  

Through persistence and hard work the Jamaica Library Service by 1998 had expanded its offerings and provided services through:

−        13 Parish Libraries

−        118 Branch Libraries

−        487 Bookmobile stops

−        Special services (to hospitals, infirmaries, correctional institutions)

−        683,352 readers

−        2,598,362 books circulated by

−        835 primary and Junior high and secondary schools provided with library facilities by the library service     

Not only was public awareness of the functions of the organization heightened but greater public acknowledgement was made of its role in national development and it was accorded the Gold Musgrave Medal and the Gleaner Honour Award for its 50 years of unswerving service to the people of Jamaica.

Repositioning for the Future

“it is true that the library system is now very sophisticated and with modern means of communication will become even more so, but we must never forget the achievements of the past and all it has taken to bring us to where we are today” Govoner-General Sir  Howard Cooke , 1998

“Libraries are of even greater importance as the society moves toward a deeper knowledge base, facilitated and encouraged by computer literacy. The computer will not replace the library. It will encourage more readers who seek to find more information than the computer can provide from surfing.” Rt. Hon.  Edward Seaga, PC, MP, Leader of the Opposition, 1998

In keeping with the standard of excellence that is the hallmark of the organization, management is in an ongoing assessment to secure the continuing relevance of the largest library network in Jamaica and also one of the most comprehensive in the Caribbean. It was therefore timely that in 2006 a Strategic Development plan was developed encompassing the years 2006 – 2011 and resulted in the following Strategic Objectives:

-                     To create an information literate society

-                     To have satisfied customers

-                     To achieve universal access to information and knowledge

-                     To have in place a team of well-trained, competent, high-performing and to have satisfied staff

-                     To have in place a well-resourced, effective and efficient organization

The organization’s repositioning initiative saw to the commissioning of branding tools such as a new logo, vision, mission and corporate colours, remodelled to emphasize the alignment of traditional and modern library services appropriately viewed as providing  a vibrant library service, meeting and exceeding the new information needs of its 21st century clientele.  All stake holders are  excited at this prospect and, cognizant of challenges, the organization  employs strategies which appeal to the target market’s sense of reality, its perception of reality and its anticipation of ‘wonderful things to come’.