The
National Library and Information System Authority
Public Libraries
| People | Places | Education | Health | Government | Agriculture | Sport | Culture | Libraries | Socio-economic Issues |
| Heritage Library |
| Educational Library Services |
| Digital Library |
| Virtual Health Library |
| Library Links |
| Bibliographies |
|
Telephone Numbers of Public Libraries North
Region South
Region Tobago
|
History of the Public Library Services of Trinidad1851 - Public Library Service introduced in Port of Spain. 1919 - Carnegie Free Library established in San Fernando. 1949 - Central Library Service introduced at Ministry of Education, Port of Spain. 1968 - First move toward integration of the Public Library Services. 1978 - Impetus towards integration advanced with the appointment of the Library Task Force. 1980 - National Library Information and Archive Service (NALIAS) established. 1991 - Council for National Library and Information Service (CONALIS) established to coordinate the integration of the Public Library Services. 1993 - Cabinet agreed in principle, to the integration of the Public Library Services. 1998 - The NALIS Act was passed. This Act provided for the development and coordination of all Library and Information Services in Trinidad and Tobago. |
Public Libraries Division
The Public Libraries Division of the National Library and Information System Authority is responsible for administering and coordinating a network of Public Libraries, serving citizens throughout Trinidad. The aim of this division is to provide efficient and reliable access to information to the public, using state of the art technology. The division also encourages the use of information, and promotes the reading habit. Operating out of its headquarters in Port of Spain, this division oversees the Port of Spain Adult, Young Adult and Children's Public Libararies, the San Fernando Carnegie Free Library, twenty one (21) branch libraries and three (3) book mobiles serving the outlying areas.
Directory of Public Libraries in Trinidad and
Tobago
North RegionArima
Public Library |
South RegionSan
Fernando Carnegie Free Library Tobago Charlotteville
Public Library |
|
Mobile Library ServiceNorth - There are 2 vehicles which serve the North and Central Region. One vehicle is based at Tunapuna Public Library, and the other is based at Maloney Public Library. Service to the North and Central Regions includes the following villages: Caparo, Tabaquite, Manzanilla, Caroni, Freeport, Carapichaima, Talparo, Tamana, Las Lomas, Matura, Salybia, San Rafael, Brazil, Flanagin Town, Plum Mitan, Valencia and North Oropouche. South - One vehicle serves the South Region, and is based at the Carnegie Library in San Fernando. Service to the South Region includes the following villages: South Oropouche, Pepper Village, Erin, Palo Seco, New Grant, Tableland, Rio Claro. Tobago - Tobago Book Van School Services |
||
Services Offered by the Public Libraries Division
Library
Services
These include Adult Lending Services, Children's and Young Adult Lending
Services, Reference Services, Reader Advisory Services, User Services
and Reading Facilities.
Outreach
Services
These
include workshops on culture, art and craft etc., national competitions
for children, lectures, programmes, seminars, storytelling, book talks,
class visits, exhibitions, and adult literacy classes.
Other
Services
Photocopying
and free Internet access.
Tobago Library Services
The Library Services Department of the Tobago House of Assembly coordinates library services in Tobago through its Regional Headquarters situated in Scarborough. Services are also offered through its branch libraries which are located at Roxborough and Charlotteville, and also its Book Van Schools Services, which provides books to thirty (30) primary schools on a fortnightly basis.
These libraries provide books and other materials for informational, recreational and research purposes, in addition to free Internet access.
Outreach activities are an integral part of its service, and so the library engages in programmes such as storytelling competitions, research skills workshops, seminars, panel discussions and art and craft sessions.
History of the Public Library Services of Tobago
Scarborough
Branch Library
This service began on 26th April 1948 when the Tobago Public Library was
officially incorporated with the Central Library of Trinidad and Tobago.
This branch was initially located on Main Street, but was relocated to
the General Administration Building in 1959.
On 11th April 1983, the library moved into its own purpose-built accomodation at Gardenside Street. Unfortunately the building suffered significant damage following two earthquakes in April 1997. This led to limited services being offered to the public from June of that year. However, due to delays in effecting repairs, the building gradually deteriorated, and so in January 2000, the library was temporarily relocated to the Technical-Vocational Wing of the Signal Hill Secondary School.
Roxborough
Branch Library
This library, which was opened on 27th June 1979, was the first purpose-built
branch in Tobago. It is located along the Roxborough/Bloody Bay Road.
Charlotteville
Branch Library
This service started on 11th May 1956 in rental accomodation. On 26th
May 1995, the library moved to its own modern, spacious accomodation.
It is located at the corner of New and Church Streets in Charlotteville.