JAMAICA LIBRARY SERVICE

NATIONAL READING COMPETITION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Minutes of Meeting held Friday, December 13, 2013

at Manchester Parish Library

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Present were:

Mr. Cecil Graham-Chairman

Mrs. Louise Foster-Co- Chairman

Mrs. Debbie Bonnick

Mrs. Karen Chambers

Miss Lorness Fulcott

Mrs. Marilee Moodie-Holt

Miss Merlene Walker

Miss Kamaine Watson-Recording Secretary

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME

The meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. by the Chairman, Mr. Cecil Graham who welcomed everyone present.

  1. PRAYER

Prayer was offered by Mrs. Karen Chambers.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apologyfor absence was tendered on behalf of Mrs. Melony Leitch who was ill.

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 8, 2013

The minutes of the meeting held November 8, 2013, which were previously circulated, were taken as read and corrections noted.

A motion for the confirmation of the minutes was then moved by Mrs. Marilee Moodie-Holt and seconded by Mrs. Debbie Bonnick.

  1. MATTERS ARISING
  2. Publicity and Sponsorship

The Chairman presented a report from Miss Dionne Barnett, Rural Development Librarian, assigned to the Public Relations and Marketing Department, Jamaica Library Service Headquarters as follows:

The National Reading Fair

  • The National Reading Fair was successfully staged on the grounds of the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library with approximately 1,500 persons in attendance. The programme of activities throughout the day was exciting and fun filled. The public excitedly met the Parish and National Champions of the Reading Competition as they paraded led by the Tivoli Gardens Drum Corp. There were giveaways throughout the entire day, storytelling, rap sessions, testimonials, presentations, and dynamic performances at the closing concert.

Attendance of the Champions at the Fair

  • The following 2013 Parish Champions were in attendance at the National Reading Fair:

Kingston & St. Andrew Parish Library Network
6-8 / Nishanae Williams
9-11 / Renè Walker
12-14 / Kumani Riley
21 and Over / Keri-Ann Daley
St. Catherine Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Joshua Thomas
9 - 11 / Ruwenzori Ra
12 - 14 / Everton Brown
15 - 20 / Sherifah Morris
21 and Over / Seon Lewis
St. James Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Britania Hudson-Wright
9 -11 / Malaika Peterkin
12 - 14 / Justin-Timothy Frater
15 - 20 / Shadine Brown
21 and Over / Shantol Grey
Hanover Parish Library Network
6-8 / Alier Thompson
12-14 / Jerome Garwood
Trelawny Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Tiandra Brady
9 -11 / Anndese Brown
12 - 14 / KalieshaGager
15 - 20 / Deandra Needham
21 and Over / Gloria Malcolm-Foster
Manchester Parish Library Network
9 -11 / Abigail Bryan
12 - 14 / ShanoyMyrie
Clarendon Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Annae Campbell
9 -11 / Ariana Palmer
12 – 14 / Kayana McGill
15 – 20 / Kristoff Smith
St. Ann Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Marshanique Fuller
9-11 / ShaneeDougal
15-20 / Donique Weston
21 and Over / Reamon Francis
St. Mary Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / ManasaKonduru
9 -11 / Chevohnae Heath
12 - 14 / Chris-Ann Hinds
15 - 20 / Andwayne Davis
21 - Over / Kayon Williams
Portland Parish Library Network
6 - 8 / Ghasilia Stewart
9 -11 / Kemoy Dennis
12 - 14 / Ashley Marshall
15 - 20 / Kevil Kelly
St. Thomas Parish Library Network
9 -11 / D’AndreWilks
12--14 / Shevaughn Smart
15-20 / Jermie Thomas
St. Elizabeth Parish Library Network
6 – 8 / Haeli Reynolds
9 -11 / Sachinron Lynch
12 – 14 / Ashley Lindo
15 – 20 / Tka Walker
21 – Over / Amoy Powell
Westmoreland Parish Library Network
6 – 8 / Aljay Gayle
9 -11 / Afrecia Samuels
12 – 14 / Najay Gayle

The National Champions present were:

  • 9-11 age group: Kemoy Dennis from the Portland Parish Library Network
  • 12-14 age group: Justin-Timothy Frater from the St. James Parish Library Network
  • 15-20 group: Donique Weston from the St. Ann Parish Library Network
  • 21 years & over group: Kayon Williams from the St. Mary Parish Library Network

Jade Mullings the 6-8 age groupchampionfrom the St. Thomas Parish Library Network was unable to attend the Fair.

Sponsorship

The National Reading Competition and Fair 2013 had two major sponsors, one associate sponsor and 27 donors as listed below. The Kingston Bookshop, one of the longstanding major sponsors was unable to partner with the Jamaica Library Service this year; however they were one of the exhibitors at the Fair.

Major Sponsors

  • LIME Foundation
  • Television Jamaica

Associate Sponsor

  • The Gleaner Company

Donors

  • Carlong Publishers
  • Sun Island Jamaica Limited
  • Pollyanna Caterers
  • Allied Insurance Brokers
  • Britmach Industries
  • Management Control Systems
  • Singer Jamaica Limited
  • Kirk Distributors Limited
  • Grace Kennedy Limited
  • Dick Kinkead Pharmacy Limited
  • Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA)
  • Association of Librarians in the Jamaica Library Service (ALJALS)
  • Grand Lido Negril
  • Econo Office and School Supplies Limited
  • Caribbean Producers
  • Tracks and Records
  • St. Elizabeth Safari Limited
  • Guardsman Group Limited
  • Dunn’s River Falls and Park
  • Dolphin Cove Limited
  • Green Grotto Caves and Attractions
  • Growing Minds
  • Tyres and Technical Services
  • Cari-Med Limited
  • Minott Services Limited
  • Sunshine Amusement Complex
  • Lasco Distributors Limited

The following is a list of exhibitors that were present at the National Reading Fair:

  • LIME Foundation
  • Gleaner Company
  • Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Ltd.
  • Kingston Bookshop
  • Altheia Barrett
  • Delicious Foods (Food Court)
  • Jamaica Reading Association (JRA)
  • Jamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning (JFLL)
  • LMH PublishingLtd.
  • Novelty Trading Company Ltd.
  • H.D. Hopwood
  • Versan Educational Services
  • Winsome Strawn
  • Ancient Flow Expressions
  • Portland Jerk
  • Rengela’s Treats
  • Jamaica Urban Transit Company Ltd.
  • Institute of Jamaica
  • Honey Bun
  • Management Institute for National Development(MIND)
  • Dwayne Napier

A total of ten (10) Schools registered their attendance at the Fair:

Name of Institution / Remarks
Foga Road High / 27 students and 4 teachers
Alpha Infant / 20 students and 4 teachers
Central Branch Infant / 4 students and 3 teachers
Ewarton High School / 42 students and 5 teachers
Iris Gelley Primary / 5 students and 1 teacher
Duhaney Park Primary / 15 students and 2 teachers
New Providence Primary / 5 students and 1 teacher
Sunbury All Age / 23 students and 3 teachers
Half-Way-Tree Primary / 12 students and 2 teachers
St. Francis Primary and Infant / 25 students and 1teacher
GRAND TOTAL / 178 students and 26 teachers

Letters expressing thanks were prepared for delivery to sponsors, donors and schools for their participation and attendance at the Fair.

  • The Committee agreed that the Fair was well organized and that there were sufficient activities for patrons throughout the day. Patrons enjoyed the atmosphere at the Adult Escape as well as the presentations, especially the one done on ‘make-up.’

The following suggestions were made:

  • Another face painterbe employed in addition to the clown as the children had to wait for extended periods to have their faces painted.
  • Performances be held at intervals throughout the day instead of having a concert at the end.
  • Story telling be done on the outside as the activities for the 9- 11 age group were constantly interrupted by the story- telling and puppet show.

5.2List of Champions

The Chairman reported that the Senior Director, Mrs. Karen Barton had agreed that the list of champions should be updated to include the 2012 and2013 champions before it was printed. The Committee recommended that an updated list be published every five years.

5.3Copyright – Bookworm

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mrs.Barton would be having discussions with the copyright office regarding this matter.

5.4NRC Guide

There was nothing new to report on the NRC guide.

5.5Parish Reports/Data Collection

The meeting was informed that some parishes had not yet submitted their report to Headquarters.A request would be made for a comprehensive report to be forwarded to the Committee as soon as the data was collected.

5.6Evaluation Instruments

Mr. Graham wasasked to request copies of the evaluation instruments to facilitate discussions by the Technical Committee.

5.7Recommendation of New Member

Mr. Graham reported that Mrs. Barton would be having discussions with the Director General, and the new member of the Committee would be named before the meeting scheduled for January 2014.

5.8Plans for 2014

There were no new plans for 2014.

5.9Meeting with SeniorLibrarians

The suggested dates for the meeting with the Senior Librarians were January 15th or 17th, 2014.

5.10Buzzer for each Parish

The recommendation that each parish be allowed to purchase its own buzzer had beenrelayed to Mrs. Barton by the Chairman. A response was being awaited.

5.11Adult Excerpts

“MissMinnie” fromSongs of Silence by Curdella Forbes was to be used for the 15 – 20 age group.

“River Woman” by Donna Hemans was circulated.

5.12Review of Junior Titles

The following titles were distributed to the junior group:

  • “Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney
  • “Don’t Judge a Girl by her Cover” by Ally Carter
  • “Ghetto Cowboy” by G. Neri
  • “Jefferson’s Sons: a founding father’s secret children “ by KimberlyBrubaker Bradley
  • “Visconti House” by Elsbeth Edgar

Two titles were confirmed for use as follows:

6 – 8 category – “Boundless grace” by Mary Hoffman

9 – 11 category –“One Square Inch” by Claudia Mills

5.13Meeting Rota 2014

The draft rota for 2014 was circulated and a few adjustments were made.

5.14Action Plan 2014

The action plan for 2014 was not yet prepared.

5.15Titles for Adults

No decision taken on the titles to be used.

5.16Theme for 2014 Competition

The suggested themes from the Committee were forwarded to the Senior Director, who advised that she would have discussions with the Director General and a decision taken by January2014.

  1. NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman asked that gratitude be extended to Mrs. Lorraine McLean for the use of heroffice and for the refreshment provided for the meeting.

  1. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, January 10, 2014 at Headquarters.

  1. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:07p.m. on a motion moved by Miss Kamaine Watson and seconded by Mrs. Debbie Bonnick.

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