AN OVERVIEW OF THE ANGUILLA PUBLIC LIBRARY

by Russel Reid, Director

PRESENTED AT THE SEMINAR ON IFLA/UNESCO MANIFESTOS AND GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES, MAY 05-07,2003, AMBASSADOR HOTEL, TRINIDAD

ANGUILLA

Country Report

Background

Anguilla, a flat low-lying island of coral and limestone is one of the few remaining British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. It is situated 18°N latitude and 63° W longitude, and is located east of Puerto Rico and 11 miles south of Saint Martin. The island is 16 miles long and 3 miles wide with an area of 35 square mile.

Population

The 2001 population census survey estimates the population to be 12,446. Non-Anguillians account for 28% of the population.

Economy

Anguilla is a service economy contributing to 80% of GDP. The economy revolves around tourism - hotels, restaurants, construction, fishing and transportation. Hotels and restaurants alone contribute to 30% of GDP and 40% to the employment on the island. Tourist expenditure in 2001 was US$61 million. However, the economy is vulnerable to external economic shock and natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Government also accounts for 25% of employment, but it too has limited capacity to find new or expanded programmes. Nonetheless tourism is expected to be the mainstay of the economy. Plans are already on hand for a new luxurious resort/golf course project and improvements to the airport.

Unemployment stands at 7.8% and is highest in the 15-24 year age group. Although there is a lack of appropriate employment opportunities for youth, it is reported that the duration of unemployment is short - 3 months or less.

Education

Education is free and compulsory from 5-16 years old.

Literacy Rate

95%.

Life Expectancy
78.1 years.

Brief History of the Anguilla Public Library

The origins of a public library service in Anguilla can be traced as far back as 1938. It originally began as a subscription library in that it catered only for individuals who were willing or could afford to pay subscription fees. However in 1950, the library began to offer its services free of charge. This was in response to one of the recommendations stipulated by UNESCO in its manifesto on public libraries. From then on to this date government assumed responsibility for financing public library services in Anguilla.

Current Trends

There are some positive trends that augur well for the development of library/information services in Anguilla. Chief among these are the application for a library service, the appreciation of the need to have timely, relevant information support, the developmental outlook of some of the policy makers and planners, and the recognition of the need to safeguard the records of the nation's heritage.

Department of Library Services

Mission Statement

The development of services, the selection of materials and the allocation of resources are guided by the principles embodied in the Department's stated mission:

To provide contemporary, comprehensive and integrated library, archives and information services relevant to the social, cultural, education and informational needs of the community.

It also articulates the need to conserve the records of the national heritage as well as to facilitate access to the universe of information.

Administration and Funding

Library services fall under the portfolio of the Ministry of Social Development. From January 2001 the Library Service was upgraded to departmental status officially referred to as the Department of Library Services. The Director of Library Services now reports directly to the Permanent Secretary, Education, Lands and Physical Planning.

The first year of the 21st century as mentioned was ushered in with mechanisms aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for the administration of library services. However an era of austerity began to surface as of mid 2001 with signals of a slow down in the economy and the events of September 11 that cast a long shadow over library expenditure. Thus the budgetary allocation was cut from EC$921,984 in 2002 to EC$765,806 in 2003 of which personnel accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total budget. Donations provide leverage to the library's purchasing power.

Physical Facilities
Library services are administered from the ground floor of the Edison L Hughes Library and Education Complex that is just over six years old. This building maintains an attractive stance on the landscape of administrative buildings in The Valley. The two- storey facility also houses the Teachers Resource Centre along with a large auditorium, an audiovisual unit and small meeting rooms. The approximate total area of the entire building is about 16, 000 square feet.

Clientele

Library services are open to residents and visitors during the following hours: -
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 6:30pm
Saturday - 9:00am - 3:00pm

Services are targeted at two main user groups - adults and children. The latter are categorized broadly according to age and the level of school being attended.

Registered membership now stands at just over 3, 000. This statistic refers to the number of persons who completed the necessary forms for borrowing privileges. They do not reflect the wide spectrum of use people make of the public library. A walk through the Library will reveal people working at computers, reading magazines and newspapers, engaging in quiet study or discussions, getting research assistance or browsing for inspiration. Lifelong independent learners are committed library users but may never check out a book or ask a question.

Information Resources

Books and Periodicals

Extensive fiction and non-fictions collections are available for adults and children alike. Following the departmental upgrading the library has been able to purchase some up to date books to add to the stock. Previously the book budget was very inadequate. The total bookstock according to our computer database is now approximately fourteen (14) thousand. The book collections are regularly reviewed in terms of relevance, currency and physical condition. Rigorous 'weeding' exercises are being conducted to monitor the usefulness of items and identify areas of weakness in subject coverage.

Appreciation for the support of donors was previously noted. Gifts of books continue to be an important source for building up the collections. They are graciously accepted at the discretion of the library staff to use as seen fit. Over the years valuable books were received from organisations like Book Aid International in the UK. Cooperation with the United States Information Agency is responsible for the regular influx of promotional materials for education programmes available in the USA.

Subscriptions to periodical titles cover areas such as current affairs, women's interests, hobbies, household maintenance and sports. Several reports, newsletters and 'awareness' literature of national, regional and international organisations are also received quite regularly.

Special Collection

The library houses the Don Mitchell collection; name after Don Mitchell Q.C presently a Presiding Judge in Antigua. The collection comprises over three thousand (3000) rare and invaluable books, pamphlets and maps covering a wide range of topics on Anguilla and the Caribbean.

Electronic Media

Digital and audio resources have been acquired on an ad hoc basis and added to the traditional print collections. These electronic sources of information, for example CD-ROMs, are a more cost effective option for updating multi-volume reference works like sets of encyclopedias. The existing CR-ROM Collection is in need of replenishment. The World Wide Web provided online access to timely information and also for conversion to print format for the library's special information files.

Staffing

The current staff establishment is thirteen (13) of which three (3) are professionally trained in library and information science. The library staff is however committed to the development of an integrated library and information service and is highly motivated towards these goal opportunities for such are been provided through paraprofessional training. Unfortunately organizational politics is a cause of concern. Collectively staff members have voiced their concern for the improvement of interpersonal relations.

Services and Programmes

Lending Services

Over 11,000 books and periodicals were borrowed from the Library as indicated in the chart of circulation statistics.

Children's materials (loaned to those in the primary age group) accounted for 37 percent of all materials checked out during the year under review. The subject areas used for the categorization of non-fiction books for the collection of daily statistics showed the highest number of loans in the area of science and technology for both adults and children.

Reference Services

An average number of 50-60 persons at staggered periods throughout the day enter the reference and study area to consult reference books, work on their projects, browse to satisfy their curiosity and also seek assistance from staff. Reference queries are diverse from those for which information can be found quickly to the more complex that require a search of several hours or over several days. Students of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School are a highly visible sector of the library's clientele. Assistance is sought for homework assignments, school based assignments (SBAs), debating/public speaking competitions and a wide range of extra-curricula interests. Study space is also in high demand especially for sixth formers. Student groups also include primary school children, participants in UWI's Challenge Programme and other distance education or independent learning projects.

Many research requests are focused on the political and socio-cultural development of Anguilla and the Caribbean from the level of the primary school student to the scholarly researcher. Information requests from overseas reach the Library via the communications media, letters or personal visits. Examples of research themes are:

o Flora and Fauna
o Climatic changes and development.
o The Anguilla Revolution

Dividends reaped from assistance to researchers include the generation of additional national information and also donations of information about Anguilla found in international libraries and other sources. Improving the availability of and access to national information resources must be an on-going priority.

Schools Library Service

There is a schools library service that complements the general community library support for education. This service includes:
Centralized book acquisition and processing for the schools resource rooms
Multi-media lending, reference and information support services for
students, teachers and parents
Advisory and support services for the active use of library resources

Information Technology (IT) Services
Both child and adult patrons use the computer workstations for research, recreation, and communication and also for word processing applications. Demand peaks during the periods leading up to the deadline for the submission of school based assignments. The implementation of CAPE for sixth form studies has also increased the demand for the access to IT services. Unfortunately user satisfaction is sometimes jeopardized due to the availability of few computers.

Access to the Internet

Through the corporate goodwill of Cable & Wireless the Department benefits from a donation of 250 hours monthly of Internet access. Three (3) terminals are now assigned for dedicated access to the Internet. Patrons can use the facilities for a fee of EC$5.00 for half an hour, but students engaged in serious research are allowed free access. This 'Internet Café' service is popular and has become a regular source for income generation. At times only by the number of terminals available and their functionality limit the demand for this service.

Access to the Internet services provides a useful tool for specific user needs. Visitors and residents use the service for varied purposes. These include business transactions, access to ideas and information on a global scale, networking with other users in common fields of interests or simply keeping in contact with people. An average of 15-20 patrons use the Internet during normal working hours. It is however a service that requires diligent monitoring to guard against exposure to displays of inappropriate material. As a public institution the Department is committed to ensuring that all members of the community have access to this worldwide resource within the context of acceptable user behaviour policies.

Displays and Exhibition

The exhibition foyer and its accessories within the library building are used to publicise national development issues and public education activities of various agencies especially during the periods allocated for lobbying support for important causes. One bulletin board is always earmarked for posting of community events and also sevices available to residents. The library thus becomes a lovely place of interest attracting and exciting individuals to read and learn and so contributing to an educated society.

Special programmes

Children's Library Annual Summer Programme (CLASP)

Since 1998 the library has been conducting its Children's Library Annual Summer Programme. Children between the ages of 5 and 16 years old look forward to this programme that is facilitated by Ad-Ziko Simba, a storyteller, writer, and dramatist of Jamaica. Each year CLASP aims to heighten awareness about the physical, human, and cultural resources through the use of a variety of information resources. Songs, stories, field trips, talks, research, and craftworks are some of the many activities the kid s participate in. Some of the themes over the years were "Storytelling", "Creative Arts", "Our heritage" and "Treasures From The Sea". Each year CLASP culminates with a short drama presentation created by the participants.

The successful execution of CLASP depends on the contributions of time, energy, materials and funds from a number of sources parents, corporate partners and library staff.

National Archives

Although no financial nor staffing arrangements have been made for the establishment of a national archives, the library services continue to actively encourage its development. This will help to ensure that significant historical documents of Anguilla are secured for present and future generations. A member of staff has been already earmarked for future training. A wealth of local information remains untapped in people's memories, homes and offices. Strategies have to be developed to harness information from national sources and maximize use for developmental purposes.

Other promotional activities

A regular column in The Anguillian ( a local newspaper) under the caption 'Library Corner' was started in 2001 to publicise library related events and services, foster good customer relations and keep the community abreast of important resources available at the library especially those pertinent to national development. Plans are also on hand for the creation of a library website.

THE WAY FORWARD

The Way Forward

Faltering economies, both locally and globally will continue to demand creative but thrifty strategies for basic service delivery. Nonetheless the public library service will continue to have a significant impact on the Anguillian community. In order to continue this success the following recommendations must be considered:

o The maintenance of physical facilities including the provision of adequate seating, shelving and functional machines requires urgent attention. Servicing for photocopies in particular should be available on a regular and timely schedule.

o A major thrust for the Department is to attract the funds necessary to improve access to information resources that are relevant to the needs and programmes of the community. The conservation and preservation of local information materials, so vital to national planning and identity, will also need considerable injections of financial and manpower resources. Technical assistance for the development of archival services is a priority.

o The lifeblood of effective library services rests on the collective enthusiasm, energy and competence of staff. Short-term and long-term staff development opportunities must be pursued. Besides on-going sessions for interpersonal and basic technical skills, the area of archives and library administration and the requisite support skills requires investment in appropriate training programmes.

Friendly and cooperative relations with other Government departments, NGOs and other regional and international institutions are essential ingredients for continued service delivery.