In an earlier post I identified some of the online resources that persons can consult with while studying or researching, working, or leisure reading from home. Libraries have responded to this global pandemic by offering a range of online resources for all ages of their clientele. Library staff must now work from home and provide access to content and resources to their clients. Be it toddlers, adolescents or adults, there is something for everyone to choose from. Whereas some libraries would have already been prepared for instances such as this, with an established online presence, others have been caught off guard and must develop platforms to facilitate such learning. Whilst many countries outside of the Caribbean have utilized learning management systems such as Google Classroom and Moodle, many are now hurrying to insert them into their curriculum. This post looks at some of the initiatives undertaken by libraries in the Caribbean, with special emphasis on the National Library and Information System Authority NALIS public and school library divisions.
NALIS Public Libraries
Apart from the NALIS website and main Facebook page, the division has mandated all public libraries to create a separate Facebook page to highlight and promote its resources and programming. Activities at the Arima Public Library include; writing for SEA students ad Story Time, tips on resume writing for teens and learning to play drums for the older ages. Facebook as a social networking tool provide feedback an an accommodate live sessions, not forgetting to mention it is free of charge.
NALIS Educational Libraries
The staff in this division have been mandated to come up with innovative ways to transition the learning process to online, and as such, created digital classrooms for both primary and secondary school students in light of stay at home restrictions. This initiative will be launched in the coming week and offer resources that include course content, past papers, and other material.
Jamaica Library Services (JLS)
The JLS has a range of electronic resources on offer to their clients, among these are resources for children, teachers, and parents. Online story time sessions are also recorded and posted to their YouTube channel.
The National Library of Jamaica’s digital collection also houses over 5000 items highlighting its local and Caribbean heritage. Other online resources available from libraries in other Caribbean territories include the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC), which is a must visit. dLOC is a cooperative digital library for resources from and about the Caribbean and circum-Caribbean.
It is evident that libraries have indeed answered the call to provide access to resources in digital formats during this pandemic, but what is more interesting is the fact that in looking ahead, they should see this as an opportunity to incorporate them into their core services post COVID-19.
Yay or Nay?
Techbrarians Blog 
Absolutely Yay! Even though we have been boasting of being a part of the digital age for many years, it is a bit ironic to see how under-prepared Libraries in the region have been. COVID-19 has forced not only libraries but other organizations that disseminate information, to align themselves with the new phase of learning and sharing knowledge in the form of totally online education. While being under-prepared, I am impressed with the rate at which Libraries have made a rebound. Being “custodians of information” is no joke. Libraries must continue to fight to uphold their relevance in the age of free access to information. They are as important to the digital age as gills are to a fish.
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