Library Map of the World

NALIP Goals are:

• To promote the profession of librarianship and bring to the forefront the value of information in nation building.
• To provide ongoing informational forum for people with common interest of all information related entities and professionals
• To advise and assist as necessary in implementation of programs and activities related to design, development and use of libraries and information related systems.
• To encourage and assist in development of its members to achieve relevant and required knowledge and skills to facilitate efficiency and effectiveness in the management of libraries and information resource centres and delivery of library services and other information.
• To promote the professional development of members, supporting and encouraging education, stimulating research, developing public awareness and exchanging professional information.
• To facilitate ethics, leadership and career growth of members.
• To play a pivotal role in advancement of national library and information managements in adherence to international standards, policies and applications.

Currently the membership is very small, less than 10 active members for 2019/2020. Some of the main areas of concern for the organisation include increasing membership of the Association, advocacy for the profession and libraries with stakeholders, and rallying for review and update of library legislation.

The Ministry is responsible for development of policies to guide the development of libraries and information centres.

The law applies to public library, community and school libraries. It covers establishment of the Public Library, appointment of librarian officers and servants, establishment of public library board, chairperson of the board, meeting, powers and functions of the board, regulations, financial and penalties. It is issued in 1951, then amended in 1953 and revised in 2005.

Libraries are able to make and supply copies of articles or parts of other works for users for the purposes of research or private study, with rules preventing repeat-copying and supply beyond the initial beneficiary. Where licences exist, these prime.

Libraries can also supply copies to other libraries, as long as it’s not possible to find someone who could give authorisation.

Libraries can preserve works, where it is not practical to buy a new copy. They can also copy unpublished works as long as there’s no explicit bar on such copying. In both this case, and in that of supply to authors, the library is supposed to charge a fee in order to cover costs.

There is a lending right, but this only applies to audio-visual works.

More broadly, St Lucia has a fair dealing exception for research and private study, and for criticism, review and reporting, with fairness based on an assessment of the nature of the work, the extent and substantiality of the part copied, and the effect of use on the market. There are also limited exceptions for use of works in education, and encouragement to use licences where available.

There are professional qualification requirements set for public librarians, which were listed in the St Lucia Budget document 1986-1991 Appendix C, prepared by the St Lucia Government.

The required qualifications vary for different positions at the Public Library and include both certain professional training and a number of years of relevant experience.

Non-governmental libraries such as academic and special libraries have their own qualification requirements and salary scales.

Currently, there are no institutions in Saint Lucia providing professional education and/or training programmes in the LIS sector. Up to the mid-2000's, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College did offer Library Technical Assistant Program, but it is not available anymore.

Those seeking professional qualification must travel out of the country to regional (e.g. University of the West Indies) or international schools that provide the training or enrol in on-line courses.

Organised by the National Association of Librarians and Information Professionals (NALIP), it is usually held annually in March/April. The main goal is to bring librarians together to celebrate achievements, the profession, to advocate for the work of librarians and showcase the work of libraries. Efforts are made to hold a Symposium, an information workers’ day that recognizes the work of library staff, and to highlight individual libraries.