SEMINAR ON IFLA/UNESCO MANIFESTOS FOR PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES, MAY 5-7, 2003

COUNTRY REPORT - ST. LUCIA

Historical Background

A. Establishment of Service

The history of the public library service of St Lucia dates back to 1888, when he first attempt to establish a library in Castries was made. In 1911, the first library in the town of Soufriere was established and was self financed by members who paid subscription fees. The development of a free public library service began with the establishment of the Central Library in 1924 funded by the Carnegie Trust and the Castries Town Board, with a mandate to provide free service to all.

In 1948, the Central Library was destroyed by fire but was re-opened to the public in 1950. In 1958, the Central Library was rebuilt with the assistance of a Colonial Development and Welfare grant.

Over the years branch libraries have been established around the island to provide free service to all citizens.

Apart from catering to the general information needs of the public, the service also provides much needed support for the island's educational programmes from pro-school through to tertiary level, including continuing education programmes.

B. Timeline of the Development of the Service

1880's

Central Library

1910's

Soufriere Public Library

1950's

Choiseul Public Library

1960's

  • Vieux Fort Public Library
  • Gros Islet Public Library
  • Anse La Raye Public Library
  • Dennery Public Library

1970's

1980's

  • Micoud Public Library
  • Canaries Public Library
  • Laborie Public Library

1990's

  • Babonneau Public Library
  • Desruisseaux Public Library
  • Mongouge Public Library
  • Roblot Public Library
  • Monchy Public Library
  • Marchand Public Library
  • Ti Rocher Public Library

Organisation

A. Organisational Structure

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

 

B. Staffing Levels

  • Library Assistant I
  • Library Assistant II
  • Assistant Librarian I
  • Assistant Librarian II
  • Assistant Librarian III
  • Librarian I
  • Librarian II
  • Librarian III
  • Chief Librarian
  • Director of Library Services

C. Staff Development Policies

Government encourages staff to pursue studies through -

  • Staff given time off (I day weekly) to pursue Library Technical Assistant (LTA) Certificate course at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

  • Government has instituted a Tuition Refund Programme for staff who are pursuing post-secondary education

Educational workshops are organised occasionally

Annual staff retreat -opportunity for staff to evaluate work performance and discuss productivity issues

D. Mission and Vision

To provide quality library and information services to all citizens and to develop programmes that will help them become independent users and life long learners

E. SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

  • Young, energetic staff with many talents
  • Well distributed service throughout the island

Weaknesses

  • Dearth of trained library professionals
  • Public library service still out of reach of many persons
  • Insufficient training in ICT's
  • Lack of control of public library development

Opportunities

  • Advent of the knowledge society is good opportunity to re-position
  • the public library
  • ICT's could help promote public library use, particularly by adults

Threats

  • Low salaries, when persons are trained they are attracted to work places with higher salaries
  • Poor economic conditions

F. PEST Analysis

Political

The political directorate in principle has pledged support for the development of quality library service.

Economic

The present economic conditions both globally, regionally and nationally, are affecting the capability of the government to allocate the appropriate funding for the development of the service. For the past three financial years, there has been no allocation for capital funding. The libraries are in need of physical repair and need to be refurbished badly.

Social / Cultural

More persons are now pursuing continuing education and post-secondary educational opportunities. These persons are increasingly making demands on our limited resources.

Technological

While there is a general acknowledgement of the place of modern technology in our society today, the library has not moved with the pace of the times, due primarily to poor economic conditions. Many persons come to the libraries expecting certain services, such as internet access, photocopying services, etc.

G. Objectives and Functions

Scope:
To provide library and information services to the general public through the Central Library and sixteen (16) Branch Libraries and the introduction of a bookmobile service to rural communities.

Objectives:

  • To provide a wide range of information services
  • To satisfy the needs of different groups through outreach services
  • To provide library services through branch libraries
  • To disseminate information
  • To provide lending services
  • To develop vacation programmes for children
  • To provide support to literary artistes
  • To promote the library service and the library profession
  • To provide library services to rural communites

H. Services offered

  • Adult and Children's Lending Services
  • Reference Service
  • Photocopying
  • Vacation Programmes for children
  • Saturday Story Hour
  • Microfiche
  • Periodicals
  • Binding
  • Internet

Reach

a. Target group

i.   Number of service points: 17

ii.   Demographics: The service is open to persons of all ages. Registered users are from the age of five(5)

III   Geographic: Libraries are located all around the island and many persons have access to the service.

b. Number of persons served (all services)
Approximately 75,000

c. Number of registered users
24, 544

Funding

a. Governmental: The Library Services Department is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Youth and Sports. The department is funded by an annual budgetary allocation from the Govemment of St Lucia to take care of capital and recurrent expenditure.

b. Corporate:Corporate organisations assist sometimes when they are approached.

c. Other: Many individuals from overseas donate new and used books.

Stated and Desired Vision for the Country's Information Needs

  • The establishment of a national umbrella body to co-ordinate library service activities in the country as a whole
  • Interconnectivity among all libraries to meet the information needs of clients
  • Vibrant national library association

Stated and Desired Vision for the Organization

  • The computerization of some services — circulation, cataloguing
  • More trained professional librarians
  • Regular subventions for collection development
  • Mobile library service to bring services to all citizens
  • Networking among the various branches and with other library and information institutions

Recommendations

  • Salaries need to be reviewed
  • Opportunities for upward mobility need to be more flexible
  • Incorporation of modern technology in day-to-day operations

Other Highlights