The first public libraries established were; the Manchester Free library in 1938; St. Elizabeth, 1944; Westmoreland, 1946; St. Ann, 1947 – these libraries formed the nucleus of the new organization – the Jamaica Library Service established in 1948.

  The establishment of the Library Service was preceded by “A Library Plan for Jamaica” by Miss Nora Bateson, M.A. Director of Libraries in Nova Scotia, Canada, who had been provided with a grant in 1944 from West Indies Development and Welfare Funds to prepare this report. The Council considered the Bateson Report and offered to contribute $140,000 (L 70,000) over a period of 10 years towards the establishment of a Public Library Service, provided that the Jamaica Government contribute $20,000 (L10,000) per year during the same period and agreed to maintain the Service thereafter.  

  The Jamaica Library Service Law was passed. This   established the Jamaica Library Board as the statutory body responsible for the development of public libraries.