Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 17th, 2011 (SKNIS): Months of intense work came to a climax on Friday July 14 with the opening if the St. Kitts-Nevis National Commission for UNESCO’s Documentation Centre which comprises an online library management system and Research Centre.
Secretary General of the National Commission Antonio Maynard said the opening of the documentation centre was a very important step in the Federation’s thrust to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by UNESCO as it seeks to increase national aptitude in the area of Information Technology and to achieve its development goals.
Mr. Maynard said he was extremely pleased with the level of commitment displayed by Consultant and technical assistant Owen Hewitt of the Canada National Commission For UNESCO who was seconded to the St Kitts Nevis Commission to implement the online library management system as well as the physical research centre housed at the UNESCO office on Cayon Street, Greenlands.
Mr. Hewitt gave attendees at the launch of the centre including librarians, students, teachers, education officials and media personnel among others, an introduction to the online library emphasizing the broad scope of materials now available at the touch of a finger and the ease of use in sourcing this information. He explained further that the information catalog is available in two formats including Print and Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).
“It can be accessed from any computer with a web connection at the web address: opac.libraryworld.com. Library world is the software developer which hosts the catalog. Once a person arrives on the site they can access the information by entering : unescodoccentre, said Hewitt”
Commenting on his pleasure at the opening of the center Minister of Education and Information Hon. Nigel Carty, highlighted the progress achieved in several other important areas with the advice and leadership of the National Commission for UNESCO over the past months.
These included the launch of the consultation on the National Cultural Policy; hosting of the Climate Change Conference, Membership in the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations, as well as the Launch of the Slave Route Project.
The minister emphasized the motive for his high level of satisfaction with the opening of the centre stating that the results of making electronic tools accessible would achieve its highest potential only in a case in which complimentary tools, processes and formalization are also components for a comprehensive approach to learning.
Minister Carty was additionally full of praise for Mr. Hewitt who he says “went above and beyond the call of duty in ensuring that the centre was set up in a timely manner and with excellence”.
Mr. Hewitt was therefore presented with several special tokens from the Government and People of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The project was supported to the tune of U.S. $17000 and included the setting up of computer stations for users.
Secretary General Antonio Maynard also revealed plans for the near future which include the creation of a video conferencing space which would facilitate the participation of stakeholders in UNESCO’s overseas Meetings without having to travel abroad.
A general welcome was expressed to the public to visit the Documentation Centre to access the online Library at the Greenlands location.
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