A training workshop was held for Teachers and Library Assistants on Grand Turk and Providenciales during the week of January 18 – 22, 2016.
This week of training was very significant as it marked the first time in many years that staff and teachers were exposed to training targeted at the development of library skills, library programs and helping teachers to raise an interest in reading among very young children.
One of the key objective were to expose school teachers to the benefits and techniques of incorporating Public Library resources into their classroom and learning exercises. The workshop heightened awareness to libraries as a critical partner in education. Attending teachers found the training to be very useful and enlightening.
The library assistants were exposed to skills training and that portion of the workshop was intended to increase their skill level to enable an acceptable standard of services and operations throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The facilitators for the workshop were Mrs. Winsome Hudson, National Library of Jamaica and Mrs. Grace Spence, former Librarian at Jamaica Library Service. A special thanks to the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services and the Deputy Governor’s Office, major sponsors of this program.
“The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to have funded this program through the Professional Development Budget which was created in the 2015/2016 Budget to focus particularly on providing in depth training and skills development programs to departments across government,” said Deputy Governor Anya Williams.
“As the Ministry of Education seeks to redevelop and improve its library services across the islands, this training program will be of great assistance to this work. Congratulations to all attendees.”
Joining in extending congratulations was the Minister responsible for Library services Honorable Akierra Missick; “As Minister I envision a well-staffed, highly professional library service which caters for the reading needs of all and the Development of staff is one strategy we are using.
“I commend the staff for taking up this initiative and I know this will motivate staff members to do further studies in Library Services. We congratulate all the participants, the acting librarian and all who made this training a success.”
