A Country Report: Grenada
Presented
by
Lillian Sylvester,
Director of Libraries
CONTENTS
Libraries are repositories and storehouses for recorded information and thus serve to provide a knowledge base for and to bridge the information gap between various groups of persons in the society. However, reading has not been an activity in which a large number of Grenadians have been engaged and even more so, in recent times, the competition with other media has forced both adult and children into a non-reading mode. A non-reading population gives rise to an illiterate society, which co-relates to a low standard of living.
In this information age, it is imperative that libraries acquire, organize and disseminate information to meet the needs of potential users. But of equal importance, the perception of libraries as institutions of learning must also be developed and maintained.
The Grenada Library Service rises to the challenge of reconciling identified information needs and scarce resources towards the development of the entire nation.
The Grenada Library Service is a public service, customer-oriented institution committed to the overall upliftment of the nation by:
- Providing quality
information in an effective and efficient manner
- Encouraging individuals
to utilize library resources as a means of enhancing opportunities for
development.
VISION
The vision of the Grenada Library Services is to develop and maintain a literate, reading public by the year 2010.
- To identify information
needs of various groups in the society and ensure that such needs are
satisfied quickly and efficiently.
- To provide through
a co-ordinated system of Public, School and Community Libraries; Archives
and Documentation Services; the information required for recreational,
educational, social, cultural and economical needs of the nation.
- To generate information,
organize and package same for present and future use by general public.
CORE
VALUES WHICH GUIDE THE GRENADA LIBRARY SERVICE
1) This institution accepts the Responsibility to collect and make available to the public, accurate information (on various media).
2) This institution views access to information as a right and Respects that right.
3) This institution is therefore Committed to make Library Services accessible to all persons who require information.
4) This institution will ensure that everyone has Equal access to Library Services.
5) This institution will ensure that Library Services will be rendered with a high degree of Professionalism.
BACKGROUND
Library and Information Services in Grenada began as early as 1846, with the passing of a bill by the Legislative Council, for the establishment of a library and museum. In 1853, a subscription library was thus declared open downstairs the registry, St.George’s.
In 1892, the library was moved to its present location and by 1896 it was financed from the general revenue. Residents in the outer districts paid a double subscription and were entitled to receive and return their books by inland parcel (now called Country Mail) free of charge.
The quality of library services changed in the 1940’s as a result of the Survey of Library Services in the Caribbean (commissioned by the Carnegie Corporation) and the recommendations by the English librarian, Ernest Savage.
The subsequently formed Eastern Caribbean Regional Library brought about new life to library services in the region, and in Grenada large grants from government’s expenditure were made available to the library. In 1949, it therefore moved from a subscription library to a free public library.
Again in 1961, library services entered a new phase when the Colonial development Fund donated EC$10,624 for the purchase of books for a bookmobile. This service was introduced in May 1961 with twenty-three (23) service points across the island. The bookmobile was administered from the Public Library at that time.
1970 saw further development as the Peace Corp assisted with training through librarians from their organization. One member of staff was subsequently awarded a UNESCO fellowship to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies.
The Schools Library Centre began operations in 1975 after much dialogue with Peace Corps volunteers and the Ministry of Education. Two (2) regional centers, the St. Andrew’s/St. Patrick’s Regional School Library and the Carriacou Regional School Library were established in 1978 to serve the teachers in the parishes of St. Andrew/St. Patrick and Carriacou/Petit Martinique.
Although both staff and stock increased between 1972-1977 it was still obvious that library services was not high on the priority list of the policy makers and planners.
However, when the People’s Revoluntary Government (PRG) assumed power in 1979, much emphasis was placed on education and libraries became an integral part of the teaching and learning process. 1980 was declared the “Year of Education and Production”; the library budget increased; copies of all government documents were deposited at the Public library and plans were being made to enact legal deposit legislation.
In October of that year, the libraries forming the Schools Library Service were designated Resource Centres for the newly instituted National In-Service Teacher Education Programme (NISTEP). The St. John/St. Mark’s Resource Centre was then established taking the total number of resource centres to three (3).
The Schools Library Centre was changed to the Education Resource Network in 1985 with its objective being to act as a co-ordinating body for the Learning Resource Centres, which would nurture the relationship between teachers, librarians and curriculum specialists in order to effect a more vibrant learning process.
A grant from the European Economic Community enabled extensive renovations to be undertaken at the Public Library in 1986-1987. As a result, accommodation was increased considerably.
In 1992, the building celebrated 100 years and effort were made to change its name to the Sheila Buckmire Memorial Library in honour of the late Sheila Buckmire who served for thirty-seven (37) years.
In 1993, the Ministry of Education entered a joint venture with the Peace Corps in which they (Peace Corps) provided technical assistance and on-the-job training for library assistants for five years. Through this project Community Libraries were set up in each parish. Although the project came to an untimely end, it was very successful and four community libraries were established.
STAKEHOLDERS
The Grenada Public Library (Sheila Buckmire Memorial) now functions as the National Library and Archives/Repository. The National Archives is housed in one room of the library and contains both archival material as well as material of potential archival value. There is no archivist and rather primitive means of preservation and storage are employed. Other collections include general lending – Adult & Juvenile; Reference – Adult & Juvenile; Braille & Talking Books; Caribbean – Adult & Juvenile; Stacks; some material on foreign languages and documents from the OAS and United Nations. Staffing consists of one (1) librarian, two (2) assistant librarians and six (6) library assistants. The Public Library is the administrative headquarters for the Department of Library Services, Ministry of Education and comprises the following units:
Carriacou Resource Library was formerly known as the Carriacou Regional Schools Library established in 1978 serving teachers in Carriacou and Petit Martinique. The centre was and still is located at the Hillsborough Secondary School. However, it operates more like a school library than a resource centre for teachers. There is one (1) full-time library assistant.
St. Patrick’s Community Library: Located in the northernmost parish, this library was set up through the initiative of a local committee in 1987. Since then the library has been upgraded. Serves mostly the three schools in the areas and a cross-section of the wider public. There is one (1) full-time library assistant and a trainee from the IMANI project.
River Road Community Library was established in July 1989 through the efforts of the Parliamentary Representative who wanted to improve the standard of life of the community. It presently operates more like a resource centre to the schools in the area with a limited service to wider community. There is one (1) full-time library assistant.
Carriacou Community Library: This was the first library to be set up with the help of the Peace Corps volunteers (1994). It is located on the sister isle of Carriacou (population of approximately 6,000) and located downstairs the community centre. It is presently staffed by one full-time library assistant.
St. Andrew’s Community Library: This is located in the largest parish (population of approximately 22,000). The second facility to be established by the Peace Corps in 1994, it was later merged with the St. Andrew’s/St. Patrick’s Resource Centre. It has a staff of three (3) full-time library assistants.
St. Mark’s Community Library: This was built through community effort and some funds acquired through the Peace Corps in 1994. It is located in the northwestern parish and serves a population of approximately 4,000. It is formerly called the January 16th Memorial Library in honour of a number of students from the parish who lost their lives in a tragic accident in 1992.
St. John’s Community Library: This library was opened in 1995 with assistance from Peace Corps personnel. A local committee was very instrumental in establishing the library, and, with the support of locals overseas, have begun a “state of the art” library project in the parish.. Like the St. Andrew’s Library, it is now merged with the St. John’s/St. Mark’s Resource Centre. It is staffed by two (2) full-time library assistants and two (2) trainees from the IMANI project. The St. John’s Community Library was awarded the Library of the Year 2002.
Crochu Community Library: Located in a “container” building on the premises of the Crochu R.C. School and serves mostly students, although services are extended to the wider community. The automation has already begun and is to be continued. Some funds are provided by the community for the functioning of the library. There is one (one) full-time library assistant.
River Sallee School & Community Library: Located in a separate building on the school premises, this library was established in 1996, as a result of the keen interest shown by the principal of the primary school and some concerned villagers. There is one (1) full-time library assistant. In 1999, this unit stocked approximately 4,000 (mostly juvenile) titles. A total number of 11,077 visits were made by patrons that year forcing the small stock to be circulated 32,566 times. The River Sallee School and Community Library was awarded the Library of the year 2001 in the Grenada Library Services Awards.
St. David’s Community Library: This library was established in 1997 and is a source of controversy between present and past parliamentary representatives. Located in a building built specifically for this purpose, the library is very spacious with rooms for expansion. However, there is no demand on the present system and the library needs to create more clients in order to realize its potential. There is one full-time library assistant.
National Documentation Centre was established in 1982 and is a depository for publications from local, regional and international institutions. The Centre is responsible for the collection and dissemination of information to the public and private sectors to assist in the national decision making process and the planning of social and economic development. Maintains a number of databases e.g. MEDCARIB, WINDEV and the OECS Infonet. The Centre was destroyed by the fire in 1990 but re-established shortly after. It is staffed by a teacher/librarian and two (2) library assistants.
Bookmobile presently serves about 10 primary schools. Also distributes materials to about 12 schools not served by any library or are off the bookmobile service route.
Education Resource Network: The coordinating body for the resource centres still operates as a unit and serves the teachers of St. George’s.
Policy makers and
planners in the Ministry of Education and the government as a whole understand
the critical role played by libraries in educating a people.
The necessary framework
and support structures are put in place for the efficient functioning
of libraries.
Staff is deployed
in such a way that “square pegs are not put in round holes”.
The necessary funds
are sourced and made available for the libraries activities
The support and co-operation
from other entities in the community is forthcoming.
Ministry of Education/Department of Library Services
Sheila Buckmire Memorial
Library
Crochu Community Library
St. David’s Community Library
St. Andrew’s Community Library
River Sallee School and Community Library
St. Patrick’s Community Library
January 16th Memorial Library
St. John’s Community Library
River Road Community Library
Carriacou Community Library
Carriacou Resource Centre
National Documentation Centre
Education Resource Network
Children 5-14 years
Students and Young
adults
Adults
- Researchers
- Housewives
- Retirees
- Other
CURRENT
ISSUES - EXTERNAL TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE
- Relatively large population of young people
- Lack of morality
- High unemployment
- Poverty
- High incidence of social ills
- Pollution
- (High incidence of) Non-reading public
- Non-serious public/more partying
- Lack of confidence in government/politicians
- Women on the rise
- Influence of media - TV
- More technological inclined persons
- Globalisation
- Migration
- Political in stability local and regional
- International Relations
Drug Abuse
Crime and violence
Juvenile Delinquency
Aids and other diseases
Teen Parenting
Child Abuse
Frustration
CURRENT ISSUES - INTERNAL TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of professional skills
- Bureaucracy
- Slow upward mobility
- High staff turnover
STRENGTHS
OF GRENADA LIBRARY SERVICE
A library in every
parish
Mobile library
unit with 23 service points
Basic materials
& equipment
Two (2) trained
librarians
Twenty-five
(25) library assistants with basic library skills
Receive some
funds from government
Receive donations
from local/overseas agents
Networking already
in progress
A few dedicated
staff with some degree of responsibility, fairness, sense of duty and
respect for others rights.
Some outreach
programmes in place
Affiliation
with (international) related institutions.
WEAKNESSES
Inadequate resources:
Staff/ training
Building/space
Materials/equipment
Salaries not
encouraging
Poor working
conditions
High staff turnover
(High incidence
of) Non-reading public
Inability to
attract attention from policy makers/planners
Inability to
access grants etc.
Lack of participation
in International Seminars/Conferences
Invitation to participate
in regional and international conferences, seminars and workshops.
Inter-library
loan.
Exchanges with
other libraries overseas.
Dialogue with
publishers, booksellers, writers and other persons in the book industry
Natural disasters
Political instability
Impact of work
done by other agencies e.g. GRENCODA, GRENSAVE, NC H, PAM, GRENED
Government Interference
Industrial disputes
Staff turnover
Non-reading
Public
Lack of proper
legislation/information policies
Lack of records
management programme
RECOMMENDATIONS
A number of recommendations have previously been submitted to the Ministry of Education. These include:
Legislation
(A) Amendment of existing legislation/enactment of new legislation to
provide for the establishment of a national library and archives; National
Information System
(B) Legal deposit legislation for the acquisition of locally published materials/
materials published abroad by locals
Administrative
(A) Review and restructuring of existing library system and services
(B) Separation of national library viz a viz public/ school library roles
(C) Standards and guidelines should be set and followed regarding the
establishment of libraries, personnel, etc.
Training
(A) Training of at least five (5) persons at degree level in various areas
of
specialization e.g. public library services, school library services, inform-
ation technology, throughout the period
(B) Introduction of a basic library science course at the T.A. Marryshow
Community College
Recruitment
Requirements for entry into the system as library assistants should include
completion of the above-mentioned course.
Physical
(A) Upgrading of existing library facilities and resources to provide
appropriate housing, shelving, storage and service equipment
(B) Insurance coverage for housing and equipment
Disaster Management
Programme. In the light of the St. George’s fires of 1990
and 2002 (left and right of the Public Library), it is imperative that
a proper
programme for disaster preparedness and disaster management be put in place.
Possible relocation of the Grenada Public Library from the waterfront to an area that is more inland.