SUGAR TRANSFORMATION UNIT OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

 

The Jamaica Library Service partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries/Sugar Transformation Unit to construct and develop five library building projects for the public and school library networks and the acquisition of computers and accessories for public libraries in select communities in sugar dependent areas.

These projects were successfully completed through grant funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Sugar Transformation Unit, with financial support from the European Union to the value of $66,411,586.50. The libraries were officially opened by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in 2015.
   

School Library Network

A total of Twenty Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Dollars ($29,950,980.00) was allocated to support the construction of the Falmouth, St. John’s and Savanna-la-mar Infant school libraries. The creation of aesthetically pleasing library environments and the provision of resources will inculcate in young children the habit of reading and using libraries from an early age to develop skills to become life-long learners.

 

Scope of the Project

A new library building for each school as under was constructed in 2014 and fully furnished (see photographs below):

• Falmouth Infant – 875 square ft. room - $8,786,980.00
• John’s Infant- 900 square ft. room - $10, 164,000.00
• Savanna-la-mar - 900 square ft. room  - $11,000,000.00

   

Furniture, Equipment and Resources

The three infant school libraries were outfitted with new shelves, chairs, brightly coloured stools, tables, issue desk, periodical displayer, notice board, filing cabinet, computer, printer, scanner, DVD player, multimedia projector and screen, library accessories, interactive software and resource material to support the school curriculum and provide the foundation for children to develop a culture for reading and a love for using libraries.

The Jamaica Library Service Regional Directors have responsibility for the school libraries in their Region and ensure that these libraries are fully integrated into the teaching/learning process through activities such as story hours, book clubs, information literacy and other library programmes.

 

Public Library Network

A total of Twenty Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Dollars ($36,460,606.50) was allocated to support the construction of the Clark’s Town and Monymusk Branch Libraries and the acquisition of computers and accessories for public access.