Introduction
Throughout the world the value of information as a resource, and
its contribution to social and economic development is increasingly
being acknowledged. Speedy access to information and effective information
management are widely regarded as being crucial for advancement
of countries, organizations and individuals alike.
The importance of effective information systems
and services in all subject fields is generally accepted in technologically
advanced societies and their role in support of social and economic
development is increasingly being recognized in developing countries
and in Caribbean territories in particular.
Libraries and other information units which are
efficiently organized, provide access to relevant information and
offer indispensable support in the learning and teaching process.
Equally important, these units provide access to information for
decision making and problem solving by governments, organizations
and individuals.
Today, in all countries, in every sector of society
there is no work of greater importance to progress than that of
managing the availability and flow of information. Rapid developments
in information technology and its impact on the organization, storage
and retrieval of information requires trained personnel, skilled
in the management of information resources and services. The development
of manpower resources is therefore crucial at national and regional
levels to ensure that trained information professionals are available
to manage existing services or to design and develop modern and
effective information systems and services in support of national
and regional developmental goals.
After World War II, training for information work
in the region was usually obtained through the prevailing British
pattern of pre-professional recruitment followed by in-service study
for examinations of the Library Association leading to the Associateship
(A.L.A.) and Fellowship (F.L.A.) of the Association.
Sterling work in the provision of training programmes
to prepare candidates for these examinations was done first by the
Eastern Caribbean Regional Library School in Trinidad and later
under the aegis of the library associations of Trinidad and Tobago
and of Jamaica. A number of West Indians also studied abroad. With
the advent of important changes in the requirements of library education
in Britain (which after 1964 stressed residential study in British
library schools), and with increasing recognition of the sound reasons
in favour of providing professional training within the region,
it became clear that the time had come to establish facilities for
professional education in this field at the University of the West
Indies.
In October 1971, the University with UNESCO funding
established the Department of Library Studies within the Faculty
of Arts and General Studies at the Mona Campus, to provide university-level
professional education for Librarians/Information Specialists of
the Caribbean region. In September 1996, there was a formal change
of name to the Department of Library and Information Studies.
The Department of Library and Information Studies
critically examines its curriculum to ensure that it keeps abreast
of the region's needs for library and information professionals.
It is committed to providing the highest standards of education
and training for the region's library and information professionals
thus enabling its graduates to confidently face the challenges of
the new information environment.
In all its course offerings, the Department pays
special attention to the social and developmental needs and interests
of the countries and peoples of the Caribbean, and to the effects
of these on national programmes and development. At the same time,
every effort is made to assist students to understand trends and
developments within an international context.
Programmes
Formal education has been offered at four levels:
- a three-year undergraduate programme of study leading to the Bachelor's
degree, started in October 1971
- a one-year postgraduate Diploma, offered since October 1973 was
phased out in June 1989
- a Masters in Library Studies, (M.L.S.), started in October 1988,
replaced the Diploma programme
- a Master of Philosophy by thesis.
The change of name, heralded the restructuring of
the curriculum and the re-examination of offerings. Thus today the
Department offers:
- a three-year undergraduate programme of study leading to the Bachelor's
degree major in Library and Information Studies
- B.Ed. joint degree leading to Specialization in School Librarianship
- a Masters in Library Studies
- a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies
- a Master of Philosophy by thesis.
With effect from 1998/99 academic year the Masters
in Library Studies (M.L.S.) has been offered on a full-time and
part-time basis, with both the full-time and part-time classes being
held during the day only. There are no evening classes.
An M.A. in Library and Information Studies was introduced
in the 1998/99 academic year. It is intended for students who already
have an undergraduate degree in Library Studies. Admission to this
programme was initially restricted to students who graduated in
the 1980's with the B.A. Library Studies. The M.A. programme, like
the M.L.S. is also offered on a full time and part time basis and
classes are held during the day only. There are no evening classes.
In the academic year 1998/1999 the Department began
to co-offer a joint B.Ed. degree in Education and Librarianship,
targeting school librarians. This programme (a double major in School
Librarianship and Education) is designed primarily for the training
of School Library Media Specialists at both primary and secondary
school levels.
As well as these regular programmes for professional
education, the Department offers occasional courses, seminars and
workshops. In the Summers from 1996, a two year programme in Records
and Archives Management leading to a certificate has been offered.
The last batch of students graduated in 2001. Underlying all its
work, a main aim of the Department is to undertake, stimulate and
assist information related research of concern to the region. |
