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What is the purpose of the
National Library of Jamaica?
The National Library of Jamaica is concerned primarily with the
collection and preservation, organization and provision of access to
all publications relating to Jamaica and Jamaicans. These include
publications produced in Jamaica as well as those produced outside
of the island. |
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Where is the National Library of
Jamaica located?
The National Library of Jamaica is located at 12 East Street
Kingston, we may also
be found on the Internet at http://www.nlj.org.jm
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Is there another branch of the
National Library?
No. There is no other branch of this library. The National Library
of Jamaica is a special library and therefore there is only one of
it in the country. |
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What makes the collection at the
NLJ special when compared to other libraries?
The National Library of Jamaica holds resources that are rare, some
dating as far back to the 1500s, but there are contemporary
materials in the collections as well. The National Library of
Jamaica is not a library that individuals can join or borrow books
from for home use. It is a library for research and study.
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What kinds of research can I do
at the National Library of Jamaica?
Any information about Jamaica, its people and its heritage may be
obtained
at the National Library. There is information about the West Indies
and the
wider world at the National Library but mainly as such relates to
Jamaica.
Government documents such as Gazettes, Proclamation Rules, Bills and
Acts may also be found in the National Library of Jamaica’ s collection.
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If I cannot physically visit the
NLJ for information how else may I obtain what I need?
Requests for information may be emailed to nljresearch@cwjamaica.com
or a letter may be sent to:
Coordinator, Research and Information
National Library of Jamaica
12 East Street, Kingston
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Why can’t I use my pen when
conducting research at the Library?
The use of pens is strictly prohibited in the library. The National
Library of Jamaica is concerned with preserving the documents it
holds, ink from pens not only damages materials but also leaves
lasting marks on original documents. |
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What are the various collections that may be found at the
National Library?
The National Library of Jamaica holds collections of; books, maps,
manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, audio-visual materials,
posters, calendars, prints, postcards and event programmes.
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What are the names of some of
the newspapers found in the collection?
Newspapers found in our collection include The Gleaner, Western
Mirror, Children’s Own The Observer, Morning Journal, X-News.
This list is not exhaustive many other newspapers are to be found in the NLJ’s collection. |
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How far back does the Newspaper
collection date?
The Newspaper collection at the National Library of Jamaica dates
back to 1718. During this period Jamaica’s first newspaper the
Jamaica Courant was being published. |
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Can I photocopy the maps,
manuscripts prints or photographs?
No. Light from photocopy machines deteriorates these materials.
However, if there are no copyright or preservation restrictions on
an item the requested material can be copied through scanning.
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What type of materials does the
manuscript collection contain?
The manuscript collection contains unpublished materials such as
estate journals, diaries, letters and birth certificates. This
collection holds the birth and death certificates of Marcus Garvey,
private papers and correspondence of Donald Sangster, a diary of
Norman Washington Manley and many other documents from other
Jamaicans. |
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What kinds of photographs are in
your collection?
The photograph collection include pictures of prominent Jamaican
personalities
as well as places and outstanding events. A few of the photographs
found in this collection include the opening ceremony for world Cup
Cricket 2007 held at the Trelawny multi-purpose stadium, photographs
capturing the aftermath of Hurricane Dean and many other interesting
pictures. |
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How far back does the map
collection date?
This collection goes as far back as the 1500’s, with 15th century
maps of Jamaica, Cuba, Central America and the Caribbean.
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