Jamaican MP wants to construct library

Author: Ingrid Borwn
Title: Smith laments absence of bauxite levy funds
Source: Jamaica Observer
Date Published: Monday, November 02, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20091101T190000-0500_162955_OBS_SMITH_LAMENTS_ABSENCE_OF_BAUXITE_LEVY_FUNDS.asp


Abstract
After a long discussion about what he sees as the problems in his constituency. Member of Parliament, Ernest Smith, mentions his plans to construct a new library in St. Ann South West, Jamaica.

Excerpt

Other plans high on the agenda, according to the MP, are for the construction of a public library in Alexandria and a new post office in Gibraltar.

"Within the next 12 months, I am hoping St Ann South Western will be on the verge of becoming a model constituency because I know I will get the library, the post office, the housing scheme, the hospital, the market, and the high school," he said.

National Commercial Bank Foundation Upgrades Jamaican High School library

Title: Upgraded computer centre for Titchfield High School
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Date Published: Monday, November 2, 2009
URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091102/news/news3.html

Abstract
The article reports on the results of the work done by a principal, school board, school librarian and other staff, in writing a proposal for an improved library and electronic resource facility. Their efforts lead to the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation sponsoring the upgrade of their facilities. Now due to their pursuit of their dream and vision to address the dissatisfaction with their library facility, they now have a well equipped library with "air conditioning, soft, comfortable chairs and Internet-ready computers".

Excerpt

Titchfield High School recently opened the doors to its newly upgraded computer and library centre in the presence of students, teachers, past students and members of the Port Antonio, Portland, community.

The project, which was funded by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation, began in 2007 and will benefit the school's population of 1,900 students. The new upgrades to the centre include an additional 12 computers, chairs, tables and bookshelves.

"For many years, not many persons were satisfied with the facility we had as a library," said Richard Thompson, principal of Titchfield High School. "One such dissatisfied person was Mrs Ivy McKenzie, our late principal. She spoke glowingly of a comfortable, spacious environment for her students to do research, with information available at their fingertips."

Jamaican Minister of Education calls for libraries to emphasize reading as a family activity

Author: Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness
Title:HON. MINISTER OF EDUCATION'S PARENT MONTH MESSAGE NOVEMBER 2009
Source Jamaica Information Service
Date: Monday, November 02, 2009
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/MinSpeeches/html/20091102T110000-0500_21728_JIS_HON__MINISTER_OF_EDUCATION_S_PARENT_MONTH_MESSAGE_NOVEMBER_2009.asp

Abstract
The Jamaican Minister of Education this month calls for libraries and schools to emphasize reading as a family activity. The Minister of Education in his Parent Month's message for November invites libraries and schools to find innovative ways of getting families to read or work on developing literacy skills in their children. The Minister of Education also outlines some of the plans for the month, including the Jamaica Library Service hosting a National Reading Fair. The emphasis or the aim for this Parent month is to encourage parents to assist schools and libraries in the literacy development of their children.



Excerpt
During this Parent Month, being staged under the theme - Parent the Right Way - Read with Your Child Every Day - we are asking all of our schools, libraries, churches and civic organizations to stress the importance of family literacy. We encourage you to stage family literacy events inviting parents to sit with their children and explore a book together.

We are asking you to encourage families to join the Library Service and make visits to the local library a regular family event. We are asking you to find creative ways to increase the amount of print material available at school and in the community - maybe do a project where inspirational words are printed on walkways. Model reading in school, ensure that parents model reading at home. Create word trees by writing vocabulary words from stories on card paper and hanging them from trees in your yard. At school create class books where each child makes up a line of a story and illustrates their words. Have students read their stories to the other classes. Dedicate a specific time each day or each week to have all members of school staff "drop everything and read." Most importantly share creative reading ideas with parents so that they too can make reading fun for their children at home.

During this month, let us seize the opportunity to bring our parents into the fold and encourage them to make reading a priority in their homes. On Saturday November 28th, 2009, the Jamaica Library Service will hold its annual Reading Fair, we are encouraging Jamaican families to help us make that the National Family Reading Day by making a concerted effort to read with their children.