JLS Receives Donation of Books from UK Based Charity

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has received a donation of more than 22,000 brand-new books from United Kingdom-based charity Book Aid International that will help restore the entity’s book collection, which was damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Some 59 of the JLS’s 109 libraries were damaged by the hurricane and more than 32,000 books were destroyed.

The recently received books are now being distributed to libraries across Jamaica to help replace collections lost.

Director General of the Jamaica Library Service, Maureen Thompson, tells JIS News that the donation forms part of the organisation’s ongoing recovery efforts.

“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,” Ms. Thompson says.

She says libraries continue to play a key role in disaster recovery by providing safe and supportive spaces for learning, especially for children and young people affected by disruption.

“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,” she adds.

The donated collection includes a wide range of titles, from early-childhood picture books to advanced reference materials. The books were selected based on needs identified by the JLS, ensuring relevance for readers across different age groups and learning levels.

Chief Executive of Book Aid International, Alison Tweed, says her organisation moved quickly to support Jamaica after assessing the extent of the damage caused by the Hurricane.

“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 range of brand-new books to replace the stock lost to Melissa,” she states.

Book Aid International, which distributes approximately one million books annually to communities worldwide, has supported library recovery efforts in several countries affected by natural disasters.

The Jamaica Library Service operates 109 public libraries, more than 300 mobile library stops, and a school library network serving 898 government schools.

Through these services, the agency continues to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement across Jamaica.

This latest donation from Book Aid International is expected to further strengthen these efforts, ensuring that residents, particularly students, continue to have access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and rebuild.