Defining a Role for a New National Library in a Developing Country: The National Library of Jamaica, 1980–1990

Abstract

The National Library of Jamaica, created in 1979 from the West India Reference Library (WIRL), had to define its role and functions in the light of the existence of a well developed public library system which served the entire island, as well as a university library system and a fair number of small special libraries. Staff first had to be made aware of how the newly designated library differed from the old WIRL, which although well known for its outstanding collection of ‘Westindiana’ was primarily an urban-based library. The media were used to present information on the role and functions of the new library, which would perform all the accepted fundamental functions of national libraries in developed countries, except that relating to the coverage of foreign literature; in addition it would also be involved in interlending and document supply. Jamaica is a small developing country in which the European/North American-based culture and the African-influenced folk culture coexist. The library therefore recognizes the importance of developing collections of ephemera, oral history and folklore. There is a small preservation and conservation facility. In serving as the national bibliographic centre, it produces the national bibliography and creates various other bibliographic tools of national use. As the focal point of the national information system, it has developed a national referral service to aid interlending. Current awareness services are offered to library and information professionals, there is a programme of mounting exhibitions, and strong international links are maintained. Growth and development have been severely hampered by dwindling financial resources, which have resulted in some cutbacks to services. Nevertheless, the library has firmly established itself as an important cultural institution and as a leader in Caribbean library and information work.