The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus celebrated the written contributions of 22 authors and lecturers whose work included extensive research on Caribbean and African history and issues at the Mona Library Open Week 2022 and celebration of books exhibition launch yesterday (October 24).

This was the 7th annual exhibition launch for the Mona campus that features the written contributions of faculty members.

In attendance was Education Minister Fayval Williams, who spoke virtually and said she was pleased with the range of publications The UWI has put out over the last academic year.

“This year’s exhibition will no doubt help to reinforce the point that academic work is not an end in itself but provides the foundation and channels through which we can better understand our societies and develop the policies to address current and emerging issues,” said Williams.

The theme for this years exhibition was ‘Libraries adapting to the future: A call for action’.

Williams highlighted the theme and noted this “challenges us to look at technological integration in society and how we might build communities”.

She added that libraries are very important in any society and must be sustained.

In his remarks, Professor Dale Webber, principal of the UWI Mona campus, echoed the sentiments of Williams and noted that libraries are the centre of all academic institutions.

“Whether you are visiting, or as a resident, you are all here as part of the learning environment. Some of us contribute to the learning, some of us take away from the learning, but we are all here making or educating,” he noted.

Webber also extended heartfelt congratulatory remarks to all the authors and encouraged them to continue writing and contributing research that can be taught in schools across the world.

Among those whose books were highlighted are: Professor Opal Palmer Adisa, Dr Dave Goss, Dr Stanley H Griffin, Professor Jeannette A Bastian, John A Aarons, Dr Doreen Gordon, Gilbert Kodilinye, Dr Natalie Corthesy, Dr Trevor Smith, Dr Ramona Biholar and Dr Dacia Leslie.

Also highlighted were the works of Dr Lorna Down, Dr Therese Ferguson, Professor Emeritus John Bewaji, Dr Rotimi Omosulu, Tracy Robinson, Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Professor Verene Shepherd, Gabrielle Hemmings, Professor B.W Higman and Charlene Harris.

Guest speaker for the event, Dr Kathleen Monteith, also spoke about the qualities of an effective and fully functional library and noted that The UWI meets all the criteria.

A characteristic listed was a fully stocked library with resources that foster a dynamic research and publication culture.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges across the world that also affected libraries and research.

She also commended the UWI Mona Library and authors for its ability to adapt and produce research that was beneficial and timely.

The UWI is this week celebrating Library Open Week, with many other activities slated.

These include a library and information conference scheduled for today (October 25), a discussion about resetting the helpdesk on October 26 and an E-resource fair on October 27.