The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) is poised to enhance its technological capabilities and expand its educational outreach with a donation of 200 laptop computers.
The devices have been provided by e-Learning Jamaica Limited (e-LJAM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth.
These have already been delivered to the JLS.
However, a ceremony for the formal presentation is slated for the Joyce Robinson Hall at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library on August 13.
Chief Executive Officer of e-LJAM, Andrew Lee, says the donation marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to equip library and administrative professionals across the parish library network with tools to improve service delivery and communication.
“e-LJAM’s role is really to advance a digital society. Our job is to ensure that the necessary technology to facilitate this is available within the public space, [especially] our schools, libraries and teachers’ colleges,” Mr. Lee stated, adding that the donation is a practical step in helping the JLS achieve its educational mandate.
Meanwhile, JLS Director General, Maureen Thompson, has expressed gratitude for the donation, while highlighting its impact.
“[This] is quite a significant boost for our technology offerings. The JLS is an agency of the [Ministry of Education], and that makes us a partner in the education process. Our mandate is to enable personal development and, by extension, national development, by providing support to our citizens to access information in all formats,” she told JIS News.
Ms. Thompson said the laptops will expand the organisation’s capacity to offer free internet access, enhance computer training, and improve its virtual programme delivery.
The devices will be distributed across the JLS’s 109 public libraries islandwide, marking a major step forward in supporting digital literacy and access to information.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lee has assured eLJAM’s continued support and has committed to providing additional devices in the next fiscal year.
