In the first article yesterday we highlighted the celebration of National Library Week and the activities that are ongoing until November 2. Today you will find out just how your library works for you.
Have you ever wondered how the library system works? Well one thing’s for sure, it’s not just about borrowing and returning books. According to T&T’s National Library and Information System authority (Nalis), libraries are to be viewed as useful, exciting, life changing and relaxing. Corporate communications manager, Debbie Goodman and director of Public Libraries Division, Diane Simeon expound on the services and activities and tell you why it is important to join a library nearest you.
History: Incorporated in September 1998 to provide for the full development and co-ordination of all library services in T&T, Nalis strives to be a dynamic network, innovative, businesslike, customer-focused and community-oriented institution, offering information services to T&T and the world. Goodman said Nalis manages several libraries including the school libraries, special libraries, the Heritage Library, public libraries, educational libraries division (responsible for secondary and primary schools libraries and other corporate libraries). Nalis also has libraries in institutions like the Maximum Security Prison (MSP), Youth Training Centre (YTC), woman’s prison at Golden Grove and the St Jude’s Home For Girls in Belmont. All libraries are staffed by Nalis. “So to just elaborate our special libraries cater to specific publics who work in government ministries, departments, hospitals and corporations. These libraries provide a variety of information services to meet the needs of a specialised population, providing staff and researchers with the information they need to carry out their tasks,” Goodman said.
Services
Nalis has a range of services suitable to the needs of every age bracket including the unborn, toddlers, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Simeon said the library provides secondary school students getting ready for college or university, with information on Scholastic Assessment Test (SATs), the scholarships available, and information on the best colleges are also provided for those who want to study abroad. “We also provide literacy instruction. And, I particularly want to highlight the Youth Lit programme where we provide literacy instruction for young people and for adolescents between the ages of 12-15 who have challenges with reading and writing. We do this in conjunction with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (Alta). “Alta provides the trained tutors to deliver the programme. We sought its assistance because we recognise some of our young people are leaving school unable to read or write, so we have a responsibility in the information business to ensure while we are providing information or providing all the resources for the readers we also need to cater to those who have reading challenges.
Teen world
It’s a teen world when it comes to programmes and activities. “Edutainment” gives teens the opportunity to participate in writing and creative competitions, talks with local celebrities, developmental classes, computer and information literacy, conversational Spanish, gaming tournaments and a soca star and underground slam star competitions to name a few. “Generally we do school visits. For vacation time we do a range of activities for the children in particular. We provide story telling, book clues and book talks for them,” Simeon said. Digital resources are also available with e-books and DVDs. Readers can get access to electronic material through the e-books on EBSCOHOST. Customers who have created accounts at libraries can log on to EBSCOHOST via the Nalis Web site to download e-audio books and e-books from anywhere at anytime. “We provide Wi-Fi in all libraries, computers with word processing software, and homework help or general enquiries via our Ask Nalis hyperlink on our Web site,” Simeon said. She reiterated the library provides spaces for study and leisure. “People use our libraries for many different reasons. They use it for social space, it is a space for serious study and a space where they can come in and relax.” (Continues Tomorrow)