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Incorporating ICT into a New Vision for Caribbean Libraries

Incorporating ICT into a New Vision for Caribbean Libraries. Gracelyn Cassell Head The University of the West Indies Open Campus – Montserrat West Indies gracelyn.cassell@open.uwi.edu. Map of the Caribbean. 2007 Survey of Libraries in 15 Caribbean Countries.

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Incorporating ICT into a New Vision for Caribbean Libraries

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  1. Incorporating ICT into a New Vision for Caribbean Libraries Gracelyn Cassell Head The University of the West Indies Open Campus – Montserrat West Indies gracelyn.cassell@open.uwi.edu

  2. Map of the Caribbean

  3. 2007 Survey of Libraries in 15 Caribbean Countries • Looked at library and information support for distance education • Explored potential for collaboration with other information services in each country

  4. Findings • Woefully inadequate budgets • Limited physical facilities • Small and dated collections • Poor use of technology • Staff in need of training or up-dating • Minimal library services (little interlibrary loans, not too many digital collections; small non-book collections; not many libraries offering extended opening hours)

  5. Some images of Caribbean libraries

  6. Positive Indications • Libraries eager for dialogue • Willingness to listen to suggestions • Strong interest in training • Librarians craving refresher courses

  7. UWI Initiative • Regional integration • Other regional library initiatives developed by UWI eg. MEDCARIB and CARDIN • Capacity for training • Teleconferencing and Videoconferencing infrastructure

  8. Vision of ICT being harnessed for following: • Delivery of training and refresher courses • Provision of a space for continuing discussions of library issues in the region • Development of a Caribbean Union Catalogue • Joint procurement of materials, equipment and information services for Caribbean libraries to obtain optimal benefits from efficient use of scarce resources • More use of Open Source Software to maximize on the use of scarce resources • Development of an inter-island courier service to expedite interlibrary loan and resource sharing

  9. Can LITA help? • Is it possible for teams from the US to visit the Caribbean (during winter) to provide technical assistance? • Install Open Source Software (OSS) • Provide training in the use of OSS • Sustain the discourse on developments relevant to the delivery of library and information services

  10. Potential Benefits • Improved library services throughout the region • Improved interlibrary loan services • Resource discovery (Main Libraries at UWI have some difficulty acquiring local publications) • Improved information services for distance education students • Facilitation of social and economic development in the region • Strengthened regional integration movement

  11. End • Thank you. • Suggestions?

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