We achieve our mission by:

• The operation of public library outlets islandwide
• The establishment and maintenance of specific school libraries on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
• Provision of access to library resources for all persons
• Organisation of promotional activities directed at all age groups
• Organisation of public education programmes
• Facilitation of activities of community organizations and public sector agencies
• Guidance to Teacher Librarians and Principals in the administration and maintenance of school libraries
• Provision of professional and technical advice to independent schools and other institutions

What we expect of you

The services offered by the Jamaica Library Service are available to the public. To maintain and improve on the levels of service offered it is important for you, our users, to:

• Communicate your library needs to the staff
• Get to know the arrangement of the collection
• Care whatever you borrow or use so that others can use them after you
• Return material borrowed within the specified time
• Observe the rules and regulations of the Library
• Display proper conduct and consideration for others
• Support our programmes and tell others about them
• If you have suggestions on how to improve any aspect of the services we offer, please share them with us.

How to Contact us?

How are we organised

The Jamaica Library Service began in 1948 and provides a Public Library Service and a School Library Service...read more

From its administrative Headquarters in the Corporate Area (2 Tom Redcam Drive, Cross Roads) the Jamaica Library Services operates a network of service points throughout the Island. These are organized in regional divisions. The Public Library Network is divided into six (6) Regions...

The School Library Network operates from six (6) Regional offices. ....read more
 

Services

Public Libraries

• Exhibitions to mark national and community events

• Public Education activities

• A Free Postal Service

• Books, audio visual material and periodicals for home use for adults and children

• Reference, Research and Information Service

• Book Request, Reservation and Inter-Library Loan Service

• Current Awareness Service

• Community Information Service

• Special Collections

• Professional and technical advice to other organizations

• Bibliographies and other publications

• Service to the visually challenged

• Service to the housebound, hospitalized and persons confined to special institutions

• Training in and use of Information Communication Technology

• Special interest activities for adults and children

School Libraries 

• Bibliographies, Bookmarks, Booklists and other publications

• Seminars and workshops for principals and teacher/librarians

• Training for School Library personnel

• Advice and assistance in the establishment of School Libraries

• Displays and Exhibitions of Children’s Books

• Book Request and Reservation Service

• Participation in Panel Examinations with the Ministry of Education, Youth & Culture

• Professional and Technical advice to schools

• Referral Service

• Special collections

Other Activities

All Parish Libraries promote a variety of activities in order to encourage the reading habit and stimulate interest in special subjects.

These include:

1. Lectures, Book Discussions an Debates
2. Book Displays
3. Exhibitions
4. Children's Programmes - e.g. Story Hour, Art Hobby groups, Spanish Clubs, Drama groups, Summer Programmes and a National Reading Competition.

In addition, the library staff is fully involved in community cultural and educational activities, e.g. the Literacy Programme, 4H Clubs, Citizens Associations.