The Public Libraries assists in the development process through the provision of services that offers access to useful information resources in support of life-long learning.
Reference Services
Both the Children and the Adult Sections provide Reference Services addressing information queries covering a wide range of topics. Reference materials are used only in the library and include: Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias, Directories, Handbooks, Yearbooks, Atlases, Almanacs and Maps.
Reference materials are not available for loans. Photocopies may be made from some of these items subject to copyright. No Thesis in whole or in part may be copied unless written authorization is obtained from the Author(s).
Children's Lending Services
The Public Library Service provides, through its children’s lending services, access to a wide range of materials to support learning and inculcate good reading habits in children from the age of five to fifteen years.
All registered members that are in good standing are eligible to borrow material available for loan. To borrow such material, you may go directly to the shelves within the Children Section and select the book you would like. After making your selection, proceed to the Circulation Desk and present your reader’s ticket to the staff along with the material you have chosen. One ticket entitles you to borrow one book for a period of one week.
Secondary school students at Form 3 may begin using the Adult Learning Services.
Adult Lending Services
The Public Library Service provides, through its adult lending services, access to a wide range of materials covering a number of subjects that support life-long learning and leisure. Items from the Black History and Educational Advising Collections and Caribbean Novels are also available as Special Loans to adult lenders through the Reference Desk.
All registered members that are in good standing are eligible to borrow material available for loan. To borrow such material, you may go directly to the shelves within any lending section and select the book(s) you would like. After making your selection, proceed to the Circulation Desk and present your reader’s ticket(s) to the staff along with the material you have chosen. You are entitled to borrow two books for a period of two weeks. VIP Readers are entitled to borrow four books for a period of two weeks.
Leisure and Recreational Services
The Public Library promotes literacy through a number of leisure activities for children that include movies, storytelling, games (both traditional and online), book groups and clubs.
Leisure reading material and videos are available for borrowing by children and adults.
Computer and Internet Access
Offers access to educational, informational and recreational electronic resources through computers, Wired and Wireless Internet networks and other electronic devices.
Members are allotted 30 minutes free daily for Internet related (computer) research and homework support. An extension of time may be granted once there is no other client waiting to use the system.
Users are guided by the DLIS Public Libraries: Computer & Internet Policy
Electronic/Online Database Access
Offers access to electronic information on-site and through the World Wide Web for both adults and children.
Provides information on the items in the public libraries collection through the Library’s Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at www.dlis.gov.dm A search query would display a list of the items found, their call number, location of the items and informs on whether they are in the library or out on loan.
School Support Services
Provides library service to schools in the North and parts of the west coast of the island through the Mobile Library and assist schools with books, technical assistance and the teaching of literacy and information skills island wide.
Outreach and Promotional Services
Offers programmes such as College Fair, spelling bee, short story and elocution contests, Annual Children Summer Programme, Easter and Christmas Craft Programmes and conduct visits to the State Prisons, Schools, Youth Homes, Home for the Aged and the Community Grotto.
Plan and implements activities in observance of special events or days such as Library Week, Drug Awareness Month and Black History Month, Animal Awareness Day, Commonwealth Day, World AIDS Day, World Book and Copyright Day and World Food Day.
Reproduction Services
Offer reproduction services that includes printing, photocopying and scanning services at all public libraries locations. The cost for printing and photocopying are as stated below and are guided by the Reproduction and Printing Policy/Computer Use Policy.
Colour | Size | Cost |
Black and White
|
Letter 8½ x 11 Legal 8½ x 14 Ledger 11 x 17 |
0.35/0.50 0.35/0.50 1.00/1.50 |
Colour (Minor)
|
Letter-Text and Border
|
2.00/2.50 2.00/2.50 |
Full Colour
|
Letter Legal |
3.00/4.50 3.00/4.50 |