The National Library of Jamaica is the

national library A national library is a library established by a government as a country's preeminent repository of information. Unlike public library, public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books. Often, they include numerous rare, valuable, ...

Jamaica Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...

. It is located at 12 East Street in

Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the six most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...

. The library provides access to various collection of Jamaican literature, maps, films, newspapers, photographs, and more.

History

The library was established in 1979 by th
Institute of Jamaica Act, 1978
from the collection of the

West India Reference Library The National Library of Jamaica is the national library of Jamaica. It is located at 12 East Street in Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica. The library provides access to various collection of Jamaican literature, maps, films, newspapers, phot ...

, which was created by

Frank Cundall Frank Cundall (17 January 1858 – 15 November 1937) was an English art historian, editor and author, who was the son of the writer and publisher Joseph Cundall. He was closely involved in the administration of and produced the reports for a ser ...

in 1894. The National Library of Jamaica is part of the

Institute of Jamaica The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), founded in 1879, is the country's most significant cultural, artistic and scientific organisation:COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

the planned preventative measures that the National Library of Jamaica implemented to safeguard the staff, clients and national collections is outlined in an article published in ''Alexandria''.

Purpose

The primary concern of the library is with the collection and preservation, organization and provision of access to all publications relating to Jamaica and its people; including publications created in Jamaica as well as those outside of the island. The library has modernized the library system in the country particularly the access to the collections it provides. It is home to rare as well as contemporary items including collections of books, audio books, maps and plans, manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, audio-visual materials, posters, serials, microfilm, calendars, prints, postcards and event programs. The National Library of Jamaica does not allow for the borrowing of its items for home use for its contents are only for research and study purposes, however, they do provide reading rooms, databases, and photocopying of selected material.

Divisions

The library is composed of three divisions: Technical Services * Audiovisual and Micro-graphic services * Research and Information * Preservation and Conservation * Special Collections Networks and User Services * Cataloging * Collections Development * Information Network Systems * Digital Resources Development Corporate Services * Accounts * Human Resource Management and Administration

Board of Management

The national library is governed by a board of management currently consisting of up to thirteen members whom of which are responsible for the policy regulations and general supervision of the library. For the year 2019, these members include: Joy Dougas, Chairman, Lydia Rose, Deputy Chairman, Father Michael Allen, Vivian Crawford, Edward Baugh, Troy Caine (27 October 2008 – 10 January 2019), Dawn Henry, Dr. Paulette Kerr, Kellie Magnus, Evon Mullings, Jolette Russell, Beverley Lashley (National Librarian), Rolforde Johnston (Staff Representative).

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control

Libraries in Jamaica Buildings and structures in Kingston, Jamaica Libraries established in 1979