Book Aid International is pleased to announce that more than 22,000 brand-new books left its Swindon warehouse today bound for the Jamaica Library Service (JLS). They will help restore JLS’ book collection, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
Melissa was the strongest storm ever to hit Jamaica when it made landfall overnight on October 28th. It tore the roofs off more than 120,000 buildings, claimed 45 lives and devastated infrastructure. 59 of JLS’ 109 libraries were affected by the storm, and 32,000 books were destroyed. While JLS has re-opened the majority of its libraries there is still a shortage of books, limiting communities’ opportunities to read.
Miss Maureen Thompson, Director General of the Jamaica Library Service, commented on the donation saying: “This generous donation from Book Aid International is deeply meaningful to the Jamaica Library Service and will be beneficial to the many communities we serve across Jamaica. In the wake of the unprecedented loss of library collections experienced during Hurricane Melissa, these 22,000 volumes of books symbolise renewal, resilience, and hope.
In times of disaster recovery, access to books and reading spaces becomes even more vital. Libraries offer comfort, inspiration, and a pathway for individuals, especially our children and young people, to regain confidence and imagine new possibilities for the future. We are profoundly grateful for this act of partnership and solidarity, which helps us restore our collections and continue nurturing Jamaica’s culture of reading and lifelong learning.”
All of the books provided to JLS were donated to Book Aid International by UK and international publishers and have been carefully selected in response to JLS’ requests. Books on the shipment range from picture books for the youngest readers right through to advanced reference texts. By providing a wide range of books, Book Aid International hopes to support JLS’ work providing all readers with access to the books they need.
Book Aid International Chief Executive Alison Tweed commented on the shipment saying:
Like so many around the world, we were horrified to see the damage done across Jamaica when Melissa hit – and we knew we had to act. Thanks to the support of our many publishing partners, we are able to offer a wide variety of brand-new books to replace the stock lost to Melissa. We hope that these books will help JLS in its efforts reaching readers across Jamaica.
Book Aid International works for a world where everyone has the opportunity to read. The charity provides around one million brand-new books each year to communities worldwide and works with its partners to respond when books are lost to disaster. In addition to supporting JLS in its recovery, the charity has also restocked school libraries which lost books to Cyclone Freedy in Malawi and provided books following hurricanes to Antiqua, Barbados and The British Virgin Islands. To find out more or help send the next book, visit bookaid.org.
JLS manages a network of 109 public libraries, over 300 mobile library stops, and a school library network impacting 898 government schools, serving communities in every parish. Through book lending, digital access, research support, literacy initiatives, and educational programmes, the organization promotes reading, lifelong learning, and community engagement, helping to build an informed and empowered Jamaican society. To find out more or support the service, visit jls.gov.jm.
