Dr. the Hon. Joyce Lilieth Robinson had a groundbreaking career in librarianship and literacy. Robinson, nee Lawson, was born July 2, 1925 to Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Lawson in St. James, Jamaica.
Robinson began her professional life as a teacher, and eventually became Principal at the Black River High School in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. In 1946 she served as a volunteer with the St. Elizabeth Public Library and transitioned into librarianship through this. With the formation of the Jamaica Library (JLA) Service in 1948, the creation of a national public library system started with amalgamating the five independent 'free' public libraries that existed in the parishes of Manchester (1938), St. Elizabeth (1944), St. James (1944), Westmoreland (1946) and St. Ann (1947). From her work with the St. Elizabeth Public Library, Robinson was invited by the Director of the JLA, A.S.A Bryant, to work at the central offices in Kingston in 1950.
Her education included an Associate of the Library Association (ALA) 1955; Fellow of the Library Association (FLA) 1959, Northwestern Polytechnic, London England.
In 1955 she was promoted to Acting Director of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and in 1957 she became the Director (1957-1976). She was the first Jamaican to head the organization and played an invaluable role in the development, establishment, and expansion of public libraries, book centers and book mobile service across the country.
At the request of Prime Minister Michael Manley, Robinson was seconded to the National Literacy Board, later restructured and called the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) in the 1970s. The program's mission was to improve the literacy skills of adults so they could participate in Jamaica's social, economic, and cultural development.
1981-82 served as the General Manager for the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) overseeing the conversion of the system from black & white to color.
1982-1991 moved to the Human Employment & Resource Training (HEART) Trust at the request of Prime Minister Edward Seaga, serving as Managing Director. The HEART program provided vocational and life-skills training for youth across the country.
Her involvement in voluntary service-related organizations was consistent throughout her professional life and she served on and/or chaired prominent local and national committees: the National Council on Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services (1972-1990); Jamaica Library Association (founding member & President 1964 & 1974); Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO (Vice-Chair); Institute of Jamaica; Foundation for International Self-Help; Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Jamaica; and Soroptimist Club of Jamaica.
Dr. Robinson was recognized by numerous local, regional and international awards and honorary degrees.
Awards:
1959 Member of the British Empire (MBE); contribution to the development of the JLS
1969 Silver Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ); outstanding contribution to public library work in Jamaica
1973 Honorary Vice President, The Library Association of Great Britain
1975 Order of Distinction (Commander), Government of Jamaica
1976 Honourable Mention, Nadeshda K. Krupskya Literacy Prize (UNESCO); JAMAL
1979 American Library Association/Carl Milam International Lecturer
1979 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD)/ Dalhousie University, Canada
1987 Order of Jamaica, Government of Jamaica; outstanding public service
1990 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD)/University of the West Indies
Dr. Robinson passed away on May 12, 2013
More:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Robinson
https://nlj.gov.jm/project/dr-joyce-lilieth-robinson-oj-cd-mbe-fla-lld-hon-1925-2013/
Hundreds Bid Farewell to the Late Dr. Joyce Robinson https://jis.gov.jm/hundreds-bid-farewell-to-the-late-dr-joyce-robinson/
Harris, Sasekea. The Cultural Politics of Librarianship: Imperialism or Nationalism? Lambert Academic Pub., 2012.
Ingram, K. E., et al. Libraries, Literacy, and Learning: Essays in Honour of the Hon. Joyce Lilieth Robinson. Jamaica Library Association, 1994.
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Simone Clunie
Cataloging Metadata Librarian
Virginia State University
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