Dissertation Information for Alma Theodora Jordan NAME: - Alma Theodora Jordan
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1966)
ADVISORS: - Robert D. Leigh - Jack Dalton
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Ambiguous
Title: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARY SERVICE IN THE WEST INDIES THROUGH INTER-LIBRARY CO-OPERATION
Abstract: Background of the Problem There is a long tradition of library service in the West Indies. Barbados; for example, had the first free public library in the western hemisphere, with formal legislation antedating similar British and American Acts.
Notwithstanding early achievements, library services in the area have remained relatively undeveloped. Subscription libraries persisted in many islands for a century. Although all the services are now free, progress in the smaller territories has been retarded by underdeveloped economies and the breakdown of the regional co-operative scheme which fostered early library development.
Objectives and Scope of Study This study was designed to investigate the status of West Indian library service. and assess the feasibility and potential contiribution of all forms of Inter-library co-operation to their development. A survey was conducted of all types of libraries in the ten federated British territories known as The West Indies at the time of the study in 1960.
Method Questionnaires were d1stributed to 243 institutions comprising all publlc and speclal librar1es, the univers1ty, secondary schools, and teacher-training colleges; 50% of these responded. All the public libraries compiled and their librarians were interviews for information and opinions on co-operative service. A representative gropu of libraries in each island was also visited for observation.
Plan of Report The report is presented in five parts.
Part I gives comparative statistics and a general description from the returns for each type of library by island groups. In Part II the patterns of library service to West Indian adults and children are outlined and
considered in relation to norms: abroad, undrlining special problems.
In Part III the various forms of cooperation applied in more developed countries and their role in promoting library development are briefly
reviewed. This serves as a background ,for the consideration of past, present, and future use of the same devices in the West Indies which follows in Part IV.
Finilly, Part V summarizes the findings and explores future prospects.
Findings
The findings of this investigation were: 1. School and special libraries are less developed than public libraries. With some exceptions in the largest islands, they are mainly beginning collections, unorginzed, and without professional staff.
2. The public libraries fall into four broad size groups with a close parallel between size and levels of service.
The first group (serving populations over 200,000 in Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados) is relatively more developed. They have
professional staff and a wider range of services but experience some financing and staffing problems.
Groups2 (80,000 - 90,OOO), 3 (50,000 - 60,000) and 4 (under 20,000) are progressively less developed than the first. They have no professional staff and a limited range of materials and services.
3. Services to children and to rural areas are especially deficient in the smaller groups.
4. The main public library service problems are: a) undersized units b) inaquate funds c) a lack of professional staff.
5. Similar problems are commonly found in other countries and interlibrary co-operation is proving successful there.
6. Several co-operative devices have been applied in the [missing word] but few have been fully developed or consistently used.
7. Many forms of co-operation seem applicable to problem-solving thus improving library services in the West Indies. Past experience and current opinions confirm this.
Conclusions From these findings it was concluded that inter-library co-operation - would
afford an economical and efficient means of promoting future library development although the scattered island pattern and future governmental structure would necessitate adaptations of the forms practiced elsewhere.
In spite of the collapse of the federation and whatever the outcome of subsequent political developments, West Indian libraries, it would seem, should work together.
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MPACT Scores for Alma Theodora Jordan A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:39
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