The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus’ Library will launch the sixth staging of Library Open Week (October 25 – 28, 2021) under the theme, Removing Barriers: Strengthening Access.

This year’s virtual events will run from October 25 to 28 and include the Celebration of Books (COB) Exhibition as well as, three other stimulating presentations such as Social Media in Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges, E-resources: Access at Your Fingertips, and Research to Innovation: Strengthening Access, Facilitating the Process.

Speaking to the upcoming week of activities, Campus Librarian Dr Paulette Kerr said: “Library Open Week was conceptualised as a way of showcasing the outstanding work of the Mona Library, our staff, our programmes, collections and services, and we employ different ways of intentionally engaging with all stakeholders in our community including students, faculty and staff.”

The UWI said that, as it continues its outstanding performance by climbing into the top 1.5 per cent of first-class universities and research institutions, its academic libraries remain at its heart.

Each year, since 2016, the Mona Library Open Week features several seminars and its signature event, the Celebration of Books, which highlights the research output of UWI staff through an exhibition of the published works done in the previous academic year.

The Celebration of Books is aimed at showcasing the scholarship of UWI staff and highlighting the value of the Library’s resources and services, as well as engaging with students and faculty regarding the Library’s role in enhancing their teaching, learning and research experience in the academy. Pre-pandemic, the Celebration also included a reception for the authors. However, since 2020, Library Open Week activities are now held online.

Though the Library building has been closed for a short while in the national lockdown period, The UWI Mona Library has sought to assure its users and the community that it remains an accessible resource to them.