Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited has always been committed to ensuring children have access to and can enjoy reading books by Caribbean authors set in a familiar Caribbean context. That is why their partnership with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) to contribute to the development of tomorrow’s leaders has remained steadfast for over a decade. (VIDEO INSIDE)

Carlong donated 1,000 copies of their children’s books to the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and School Library Network in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library. In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Jamaica Library Service, and the 30th anniversary of the JLS National Reading Competition, Chairman of Carlong Publishers Mrs. Shirley Carby, OD, honoured her commitment to fostering the reading habit with the donation of 500 books to the JLS and 500 books to the School Library Network, valued at over six hundred and fifty thousand dollars (JM $650,000). The donation included 200 copies each of five children’s books published by Carlong as a part of their children’s series, the Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series and the Bintah series. (Photo (l-r): Mrs. Shirley Carby, Mrs. Patsy Gordon and Miss Maureen Thompson. Photo contrib. by Jamaica Gleaner)

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Mrs. Carby, in her remarks during the donation ceremony, emphasized the importance of instilling a habit and love for reading in children. “Our children and young people are at a vulnerable stage of their development when they are faced with many distractions and gadgets competing for their attention. It is critical that we maintain their interest in reading in order to stimulate their imagination, improve their communication skills, build self-awareness and self-confidence and give them valuable life-coping skills,” she said. Carlong has made ongoing donations to the JLS annual reading competition and major donations at milestone anniversary celebrations by the JLS. The last major donation consisted of 1200 books, which included 200 copies of six titles then published in Carlong’s Sand Pebbles series. (Photo contrib. by Loop Jamaica)

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The JLS has faced difficulties in adequately replenishing their collections of books to meet the demand of public libraries islandwide. Miss Maureen Thompson, Director General of the JLS, expressed her appreciation for Carlong’s donation and confirmed the continued partnership with Carlong in transforming children into lifelong readers. “(Carlong’s) publications have become essential teaching aids and learning support for students in Jamaica and across the diaspora … This donation is reflective of Carlong’s mandate as “partners in the education process,” she said.  

The continued partnership between Carlong and the JLS will remain centered around the development of the nation’s children into knowledgeable, confident, productive and patriotic adult citizens.