IFLA /UNESCO
/ NALIS SEMINAR ON SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY MANIFESTOS AND GUIDELINES
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S.W.O.T
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
EXPANSION OF LIBRARY SERVICE
There are twenty-three (23) service points in Trinidad and Tobago. This
includes a new library in St Helena which will be opened this month.
Two (2) Mobile Libraries in Trinidad visit thirty-seven (37) service
points in outlying areas. A new Mobile Library will begin serving rural
areas in South Trinidad this month. One (1) Mobile Library in Tobago
offers library service at thirty (30) schools on the island.
STATE-
OF- THE- ART NATIONAL LIBRARY
NALIS is proud of the new National Library, which was formally opened
on Wednesday March 26th this year and houses the Port of Spain Public
Library with its Children's, Young Adults and Adults Sections, Heritage
Library, Technical Services Department and our Administrative Headquarters.
The National Library exemplifies the standard of achievement of facility
and service in libraries with its advanced technology and special services
for the Differently-Abled, separate Young Adult Library, Business Centre
and News Media Centre.
ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS IN COMMUNITIES
A positive feature in the expansion of library services has been partnerships
which have facilitated the introduction of services to many communities.
Partnerships were established in communities through:-
(1)
Corporate Sponsors
The petroleum company, AMOCO, now BPTT in Mayaro contributed to the
establishment of the Mayaro Public Library in 1990. Texaco (T'dad) Ltd
has sponsored Environment Collections and our annual Storytelling competition.
Republic Bank has donated a Young Adult Collection to libraries and
sponsored Holiday Activities and National Library Week activities. This
bank has also approved funding for the establishment of another area
for the Visually Impaired Persons in the National Library. The reintroduction
of the Mobile Library service in the 80's was facilitated by the donation
of a Book Mobile and collection by Scotia Bank.
(2)
Diplomatic Corps
The innovative library in Cedros, was established through the donation
of a bus by the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament and monetary donation
for book stock, upgrade of facility, furniture and equipment by the
Canada Fund of the Canadian High Commission.
(3)
Friends of the Library Groups.
These assist with fundraisers to support libraries and services.
SERVICE
OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
NALIS is proud
of its introduction of two new important facets of library services.
These were to babies in 2001 and disadvantaged communities later that
year. To introduce reading at the earliest age, Baby collections are
available at all libraries and are promoted by workshops for pregnant,
nursing mothers and caregivers.
For
disadvantaged communities, the first library service for Visually Impaired
Persons (VIPs) was introduced at the Regional Headquarters in San Femando
in 2001. This service was limited to training the VIPs in computers
utilizing the JAWS software but was the catalyst for the disadvantaged
service now available in two (2) areas in the Children and Adult libraries
of the new National Library. There are special collections for the blind
and VIPs. These include Print Braille, Recorded Books and Digital Talking
Books. Other equipment for the blind are Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
and Braille embossers. At this library the Differently-Abled are also
served through the availability of "Next Talk" software for
the Hearing Impaired and specialized furniture and equipment for the
physically challenged. The building is user friendly and provides access
through ramps and elevators for this group. A limited Housebound service
was also introduced for geriatric homes in Port of Spain and its environs
in 2002.
TECHNOLOGICALLY
ADVANCED SERVICE
NALIS's programme of computerization is well advanced with Internet
access available from all its service points throughout Trinidad and
Tobago.
In 2002, 68,538
persons searched the Internet at libraries. The website www.nalis.gov.tt
is an important source for local and Caribbean online information.
Electronic Subscription
Services Available
Access to electronic databases is provided at all service points. The
Information Networks Division of NALIS has been involved in digitization
of Caribbean material. A digitization project of Slave Deeds has commenced
and these images can be viewed on the website.
Computerized/Automated
Library Cataloguing and Circulation System
Technology of the highest standard is available at the National Library
where there are one hundred and twenty-one (121) computers available
for public use.
Automated
Circulation and Cataloguing systems with Self Check and Smart Access
Card photocopiers are also accessible.
PROMOTION
OF LITERACY
Programmes to celebrate and promote the work of local writers and artiste,
Storytelling Competitions, Story Hours and Book Talks dominate activities
at many of the libraries to foster the reading habit. Reading Development
workshops are also conducted for staff and the public. NALIS collaborates
with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA) in the provision of
accommodation at several branch libraries for the conduct of Adult Literacy
classes.
GENERALLY
SATISFIED USERS
A User Survey conducted in 2002 revealed over 90 of patrons were satisfied
with the level of service offered at libraries.
AN
HERITAGE LIBRARY: A STOREHOUSE OF LOCAL AND CARIBBEAN INFORMATION
The Heritage Library at the National Library acquires, preserves and
disseminates all print and non-print material relevant to our heritage.
Heritage collections are also available at all libraries.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNICATIONS
The NALIS website www.nalis.gov.tt is an important source of information
for local and foreign researchers. The employment of a Public Relations/Marketing
Officer has assisted with the marketing of libraries and its services.
The National Library Week celebrations have brought NALIS into public
focus.
Other
methods of improved communications include the publication of library
pathfinders, bookmarks, posters, lecture, exhibitions, and outreach
activities. Internet service has also assisted in internal textural
communication.
A
LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED STAFF, SKILLED AND COMMITTED PARA
PROFESSIONALS
Many Librarians have obtained professional qualifications through government
scholarship. A number of paraprofessionals have emerged through the
Library Technicians Course which has now been replaced by an Associate
Degree Programme. NALIS has expanded the number of training programs
to staff. Over the past three years staff has been trained in: -
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Some librarians benefited
from digitization training in Colimar, Mexico and training courses offered
in other Caribbean Islands. Still others have participated in international
conference e.g. IFLA, ACURIL and ALA.
GENERALLY SATISFIED
CUSTOMERS
In an effort to evaluate our services, NALIS in 2002 conducted a user
survey of library users to assess user satisfaction. Over 90 of these
patrons expressed satisfaction with their library service.
WEAKNESSES
INADEQUATE STAFFING
AT SERVICE POINTS
Limited staffing has affected the delivery of extended hours of service
to the public at some branches. The present level of staffing which exists
at the large National Library is also inadequate to serve the many new
areas and services in the new building. Neither are
there adequate professionals to man these areas. IFLA recommends a librarian
to every 6000 reader. NALIS now operates beneath this standard.
LIBRARY SERVICE DOES NOT SERVE LARGE AREAS OF THE POPULATION
COLLECTIONS
DO NOT MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE POPULATION
Although there has been an annual increase in the book vote, NALIS faces
extra costs each year as its collection and services grow. The increase
in demands for our services and the expansion of services places additional
pressure on the library budget. Collections are therefore inadequate
to serve populations and empty shelves of new titles act as a deterrent
to Book Club activities.
POOR
REMUNERATION FOR LIBRARY STAFF
While all public officers complain about low wages these complaints
have heightened since salary increases were given to teachers in 2001.
This has resulted in disgruntled staff and a failure to attract qualified
persons to the profession.
P.
E. S. T ANALYSIS
POLITICAL
There is a level of recognition of the importance of libraries by the
government. Successive governments have ensured the construction of
the National Library.
Government has been supportive of NALIS and has recognized its role
in its 2020 mission for the country.
Thirty
(30) scholarships in Library and Information Science for study at North
American Universities were awarded in 2002. However, the shift from
different Ministries because of frequent changes in government over
the past two years have impacted negatively on the smooth transition
of officers into NALIS.
Politicians
also facilitated the take over by NALIS of the Chaguanas Community Library
in 1999, the introduction of library service in Maloney in 1988, Debe
in 2001 and the soon to be opened St Helena Library.
ECONOMIC
Although still inadequate, the level of funding has increased over the
years. Book allocations have moved from $650,000 in 1994 to $2 million
in 2002. $20m was allocated for the purchase of books and other materials
for the National Library. Our approved estimates increased from $21m
in 2000 to $80.9m in 2002.
SOCIOLOGICAL
Globalization has made persons aware of the importance of a more educated
work force. More patrons use the Reference Services and register for
Internet Services to make themselves computer literate. On the other
hand the poor and middle class are our major clients, but the upper
classes rarely make use of the library service.
TECHNOLOGICAL
The use of technology is an important part in the delivery of our service
and this is reflected in the ICT and Internet access at all our service
points. In an effort to bridge the digital divide computer literacy
and internet access training are offered at many of our libraries.
REACH
44% of the population is at present served by Public Libraries. At the
end of 2002 there was a total number of one hundred and seventy thousand,
five hundred and thirty eight (170,538) registered users at Public Libraries
in Trinidad. There are approximately 5,000 registered users in Tobago.
FUNDING
NALIS receives 100 of its funding from Government appropriation Corporate
bodies have contributed to libraries as previously mentioned. In 2002
the Canada Fund of the Canadian High Commission donated $50,000 to the
Friends of the Library to upgrade facilities at the Cedros Library and
purchase equipment and furniture for the premises.
RECOMMENDA
TIONS
(a) A branch library
within 1.5 (1 mile) of most residents
(b) Large library within 3-4 KM (2 -2.5 miles) of most residents
Our
services at present serve less than 50 of the population. The introduction
of Mobile
libraries will assist in delivery of service to rural areas but purpose
built libraries are vital
in most of our large communities.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS