Library

[AngelsKiss]

I think we have some seious readers on here, at least it would appear that way based on a previous topic:-)

My questions is this, does any one here use the Library, specifically the library in Cross Roads? I thinks its called The Tom Redcom Library or something to that effect. If the answer is yes can you tell me what the book selection is like?

I am a bookworm, always reading. However when I was in Jamaica I use to just buy my books. However, when I moved to Barbados and then here to Canada I started using the libraries. The libraries here in Canada are excellent. There are about 4 branches in my home town and I can borrow from which ever of the 4 libraries I choose from. I can even preorder books via the net. We get to borrow up to 50 items, including books, cassettes, CDs (music/books) and DVDs.

The library I used in Barbados wasn't bad either. They had a fairly good selection of books. I would like to know how Jamaica compares to other places.

:)

[Chris]

Wow, the Tom Redcam library. I haven't been there in a while ... many years to be trythful ;) I'm not sure what it's like now and don't want to paint the negative picture that I have in my mind, so I'll defer to someone who's been there recently.

[AngelsKiss]

Thanks Chris. I too use to use it as a youngster. A colleague of mine here told me he use to use it before he left Jamaica which is some 7 or 8 years ago.

I did a search a little while ago and this is what I found. Unfortunately the libraries are not online like here:

Jamaica Libraries (http://www.jamlib.org.jm/)

Here are the links for the Toronto and Brampton Library just in case any one is interested in seeing what they are like.

Toronto Public Library (http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca/)

Brampton Public Library (http://www.bramlib.on.ca/)

I think we need to get kids in Jamaica to read more and watch less TV and play less nintendo or whatever games they play these days. I do believe that having excellent librbaries and programs in place could help in this area.

[Chris]

I agree, we need to get the kids reading more and doing more constructive things. This change will only come about from the home though. Their parents/guardians need to be stricter on the kids' activities - what they do in their spare time.

[AngelsKiss]

True Chris. However I was thinking from the perspective that, books are costly so if the government can assist thru the libraries it would be good.

For example where I live, the library has a Saturday morning reading program for about a hour or so where parents can take their kids (age group 6 and under I think) and its free. This is a form of encouragement to gett he kids reading at an early age.

I was fortunate to have a mother who got me reading at a very early age. However as I got older most of my books I had to buy. Here I don't even buy books much anymore, I get them all from the library and I don't mean novels only.

[Skillachi]

Well i have never been a library kind of guy. I cant bother with the borrowing for just a couple a days after which u get charged and within that couple a days u might not finish the book so u have to bring it back and then borrow it again or u sit at the library and read it and the book dem tear up etc etc...
I borrow all my books from friends/relatives or get them bought for me or buy myself when i can read at my own leisure and stop worrying.
The last library i went to (next to the Wolmer's Boy's High School library) was the Spanish Town library and its selection wasnt so good and the books werent well kept. I will try to get to Tomredcom and tell u about it

[AngelsKiss]

Thanks Skillachi, I appreciate the effort.

About the lenght of time you get to borrow, its usually about 3 weeks and you can always renew the book. Hhere you can renew it 3 times as long as someone has not place a hold (block) on the book. Which means that you can have the book for as long as 12 weeks.

[kilaj1]

Library....Library... :eusa_thin o you mean that place where you got all them books :icon_lol: them days the Library in mobay is more of a place to hangout than to actually work.

I mean picture this...you see a hot looking girl in her mini skirt and desinger cloths...ask her where she going...Library...o okay and you go out after...no just Library.

One main reason I dont go there is because its just way too noisey, and there books are outdated...atleast the last time I went there...1998...i think

[Greatis]

well you know what kilaj said is true. the library has now evolved into a look girls zone for the boys and the other way around for the girls.

Anyways on a positive note the library association of ja has a bookmobile program that sends trucks out with books in them to the rural areas of Jamaica.

[Chris]

Yeah, the local library (Tom Redcam) has been a social club since my early school days ~ circa 80's ;)

[AngelsKiss]

Oh well I suppose where there are young girls the boys will go and vice versa. Such a pity though that the library isn't what it should be.

Oh Chris, I use to go to the library in the 80s during my high school years and to be honest I don't remember it being used as a hangout for teenagers.

[Chris]

Oh Chris, I use to go to the library in the 80s during my high school years and to be honest I don't remember it being used as a hangout for teenagers.

Yeah man, I used to go on Saturdays and it was a waste of time with all the distractions. It may not have been as bad as today, but I couldn't get work done. Maybe it was better during the week? :eusa_thin

[AngelsKiss]

What I remember is that the Librarians were strick. If you made any noise they would ask you to leave.

Here I see a lot of kids at the library, but they are either using the computers or the doing assignments. The kids that are hanging out are usually outside the library. Personally I don't have a problem if they use to library to hang out, as long as they don't disturb others. It's better than hanging out at the malls where they can run into all kinds of characters.

I really do wish they would upgrade the libraries in Jamaica and start a campaigne to get kids to read.

[Skillachi]

Ok Tomredcom library is sorta cool. But the problem with it (i think) is that it doesnt have many... novels. It is a good library to go and study at because the selection of subject related books are large. And they dont seem to be as pop down as i thought most library books have a habit to be.
But its a cool place overall

[AngelsKiss]

Ok Tomredcom library is sorta cool. But the problem with it (i think) is that it doesnt have many... novels. It is a good library to go and study at because the selection of subject related books are large. And they dont seem to be as pop down as i thought most library books have a habit to be.
But its a cool place overall


What does pop down mean? :icon_ques

[Skillachi]

Um as in the books arent in bad condition as i originally thought they would be

[AngelsKiss]

Thanks, slangs change so rapidly now a days I can't keep up. :)

[Cocoa]

I use to live at the Tom Redcam I thought it was Tom Red Come, Library. Anyway, that was when I was in high school meeting all the KC dude to study for O and A levels.

[Gillion]

i use to use it myself being wolmerian and all... but poor me I used it to study... didn't know it was a social venue... i am such a damn nerd.

anyway....

to be honest....

The majority of children are never going to read unless there is a hefty reward in it for them.
don't tell them about education.... that has very little meaning since they have very few clues about how the real world works.

What you are competing with are MUSICICIANS and ACTORS and SPORTS STARS....

There are NO HERO SCIENTISTS, JOURNALISTS, AUTHORS as in days gone by NONE !!!

We also fail to understand the dynamics of reading. Reading is the most psychologicaly taxing effort possible especially for MEN. Women handel it better because they use both halves of the brain when reading. We men tend to use only one half for almost everything.

Now since it so taxing, then it means boredom, it means fatigue, it means frustration. You have to have a reason and a REWARD for reading. And this reward must be something

BASHY so that others of the childs peer group can see and approve. Remember a kids crave approval especially from peers and if READING has no reward that will give them immediate peer approval... we have a long fight.

So as long as our pop heroes continue to be ONLY ELEPHANT MAN or WILL SMITH or KOBE BRYANT instead of Ben Carson, Colin Powell or Steve Wozniak then we are in big big trouble.

--gillion jin

[Chris]

Sorry Gillion, I was only able to read the first half .... :D

[Gillion]

eeeexxxxactly