The library system in Suriname is decentralized and is at different stages of development. The level of development varies by library, determined by its management and funding.
Suriname has one public library with several branches, academic libraries, special libraries, a school library system and community libraries. The public library is part of the Foundation Cultural Centre Suriname (CCS); academic libraries are part of the university or colleges of higher education; the special libraries are part of the private or public sector. The school library system, a section of the General Educational Library (Algemene Onderwijsbibliotheek), which operates administratively under the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Department Library, coordinates school libraries in more than 90% of primary schools, secondary schools and high schools.
At present, there is the matter of the ageing of Suriname’s library staff. The two certified Librarians have had formal training in the Netherlands and will retire in less than two years. The management of most of the libraries is in the hands of library assistants who have been formally trained through different organisations, for instance the Foundation National Database Suriname. Most of the library personnel is trained on-the-job or has participated in a “Library Assistant” training programme, when available.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is responsible for the development of policy, which unfortunately is not yet in place. There is no national library policy, no legislation on librarianship, no national library. All libraries have their own agendas and their own library development policies. Libraries operate with funding from their managing institutions; none have their own budgets.
The Foundation Nationale Database Suriname acts as a Library association in Suriname. Because the country does not have a national library, the Foundation provides the infrastructure to centralize information of and about Suriname, which is stored in an online database. The database gives access to bibliographic data located throughout the libraries in Suriname, where much of the heritage information is not only unknown but also inaccessible to the general public. With this online database, the country’s cultural heritage is becoming more accessible and available to those who need information about Suriname. The staff of the libraries were trained to contribute to the database.
This Foundation also organizes educational activities such as formal trainings, lectures and courses on information-related topics. At the beginning of 2020, the Library School of Suriname was established, which provides two training programmes (Library Assistant and Library Manager). The objective of the School is to secure the continuation of libraries through training of library managers and assistants. With this new group of library professionals the library field will be equipped with qualified staff to the benefit of the sector.
30 | 3.6 |
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Median Age | Population Densitypeople per sq km |
No Data Available | No Data Available |
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Internet Users | Internet Gender Gap |
No Data Available | 7.2% |
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Poverty Rate 2011 PPP | Unemployment % of labor force |
No Data Available | No Data Available |
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Adult Literacy Rate % of people age 15+ | Education Spending % of GDP |
No Data Available | No Data Available |
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ICT Skills: Transfering Files | Research Spending % of GDP |
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National Library
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Policy Making Institutions
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Library Support Organisations
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National Policy for Libraries
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Library Law
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Legal Deposit Law
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Copyright Law
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Library Exceptions & Limitations
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Professional Qualification Requirements
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Education
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Professional Publications
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Professional Events
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Total | National | Academic | Public | Community | School | Other | |
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Total Libraries |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Libraries with Internet Access |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Full-Time Staff |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Volunteers |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Registered User |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Physical Visits |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Physical Loans |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Electronic Loans |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Population | Suriname | Region | World |
Population Density people per sq km | 3.6 2016 | 31.8 2016 | 57.4 2016 |
Urban Population (World Bank) | 66% 2016 | 80.1% 2016 | 54.3% 2016 |
Median Age (CIA) | 30 2017 | - | 30 2017 |
Age Dependency Ratio, Youth (World Bank) % of working age people | 39.7% 2017 | 37.1% 2017 | 39.7% 2017 |
Age Dependency Ratio, Elderly (ITU World Telecoms Database) % of working age people | 10.4% 2017 | 12% 2017 | 13.3% 2017 |
Information Infrastructure | Suriname | Region | World |
Internet Users % of population | - | - | - |
Broadband Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database) in USD | $24 2016 | $21.3 2016 | $20.1 2016 |
Phone Subscription Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database) in USD | $12.7 2016 | $13.6 2016 | $9.5 2016 |
Internet Gender Gap (ITU World Telecoms Database) % of Men Internet Users - % of Women Internet Users | - | - | 11.6% 2017 |
Access to Electricity (World Bank) | 87.2% 2016 | 97.8% 2016 | 87.4% 2016 |
Economy, Poverty, and Employment | Suriname | Region | World |
GDP per Capita (World Bank) current international $ | 14,967 2016 | 15,211 2016 | 16,215 2016 |
Poverty Rate (World Bank) at $1.90 a Day, 2011 PPP | - | 4.5% 2013 | 10.9% 2013 |
Inequality Index 0 is perfect equality, 100 is the complete inequality | - | - | - |
Unemployment (World Bank) % of labor force | 7.2% 2015 | 8.1% 2016 | 5.9% 2014 |
Inactive Youth (World Bank) % of youth | - | 21.8% 2016 | - |
Education and Literacy | Suriname | Region | World |
Students per Teacher (World Bank) Ratio | 14 2016 | 22 2016 | 24 2016 |
Adult Literacy Rate (World Bank) % of people age 15+ | - | 93.5% 2016 | 86.2% 2016 |
Education Spending (World Bank) % of GDP | - | 5.3% 2014 | 4.9% 2014 |
Innovation and Skills | Suriname | Region | World |
Research Spending (World Bank) % of GDP | - | 0.8% 2014 | 2.2% 2015 |
ICT Skills: Programming % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Creating Presentations % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Finding, Downloading, Installing Software % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Transferring Files % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Sending Emails % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Using Copy/Paste % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Connect/Install Devices % of Population | - | - | - |
ICT Skills: Using Math in Spreadsheets % of Population | - | - | - |
Suriname does not have a national Library. The Foundation NDS acts like an association without members. All activities are focused on the Surinamese library field. The NDS mobilizes the libraries to contribute to the online database of Suriname data and also organizes educational activities such as lecturers and training for professional development. Some of the major activities include:
There is no national library in Suriname.
This government institution is responsible for educational development, including science and different cultures in Suriname, preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage. The Ministry has the Department of Libraries, which operates as a library - the General Educational Library (Algemene Onderwijsbibliotheek).
There are no library support organisations in Suriname.
There are no national policy documents for libraries in Suriname.
There is no library law in Suriname.
There is no legal deposit law in Suriname.
There are no specific provisions in Surinamese law for library activities, although it does allow for limited copying for personal research and educational purposes, subject to payment of compensation. There are also various possibilities for news reporting.
Suriname strives to strengthen the professional qualification requirements and the formal library training offer within the field. Librarians are required to have one of the following - diploma "Librarian", diploma "Libary Assistant", or certificate "Library Employee". Other staff members, who have a high school diploma, are trained on-the-job.
The LIS education system in Suriname is irregular. Training is provided when needed. Over the years more than seven library training programmes were organized by several institutions:
There are no professional publications for librarians in Suriname.
There are no professional events for librarians in Suriname.