Librarians on board for universal access and learning

Resource persons from UWI Mona and UTECH give technical leadership to professional development of jamaican Library and Information professionals

The Library and Information Association of Jamaica held a symposium on Emerging Technologies in October 2008. The focus on Web 2.0 features is a clear indicator that thought leaders among Jamaican Library and Information Service professionals have every intention of continued relevance and value to learners at all stages of the lifespan, especially to those in the school system.

e-Learning Jamaica was invited to give the key note presentation, and the participants were charged to resolve apparent dichotomies in the designation "library and information". and advised to come quickly to a recognition of the convergent destinies of "library, information and e-learning".

The philosophical undergirding of the e-Learning project in the desire for equity through the provision of "UNIVERSAL ACCESS" was explained, and it was made clear that the vision for this access subsumed homes, classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries. The specific hardware and learning resource deliverables were stated. Librarians have always been at the forefront of using visual media, whether in displays, charting, so they have a natural role, in being at the vanguard of infusing such skills as video-editing to exploit newly available technologies and support subject teachers in improving their performance.

The realities of learning difficulties in communities where early stimulation is not the norm, presents problems which are evident in the statistics of school-leaving exam results. For example,the two schools with the lowest performance in English are in communities where the public libraries have been closed. One positive view of this situation is the challenge and responsibility that will fall on the school librarian in a technology-driven library, provided under the e-Learning project. There must be the will to keep re-tooled libraries open.

Instead of a focus on classification and division, the partners - librarians, information professionals, curriculum developers, education and media technologists, and broadband providers have to cooperate effectively to keep channels open, construct wholesome , interesting messages, and ensure the opportunities for human development are real and accessible.