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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.

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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Students under Alma Theodora Jordan

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None