Rudolph Speid, managing director of Sangster's Book Stores, presents Nordia Miller, library assistant at the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and first-year student of the University of the West Indies, with the Hector Wynter Memorial Scholarship 2007-2009 on Wednesday at the JLS headquarters at Tom Redcam Avenue in the Corporate Area. At centre is Patricia Roberts, director general JLS. Overwhelmed, Miller said the scholarship, worth $750,000, would be a tool which would assist her in becoming a librarian. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Sangster's Book Stores Limited, in collaboration with the Jamaican Library Service (JLS), on Wednesday presented library assistant Nordia Miller with the prestigious Hector Wynter Memorial Scholarship 2007-2009. The presentation took place during a ceremony held at the JLS headquarters in New Kingston.

Patricia Roberts, director general of JLS, acknowledged the 60th anniversary of the institution and welcomed the partnership with Sangster's, citing the limited resources with which libraries have to operate.

"We are very happy that she is the chosen candidate because, you know, librarian information sciences is one of those areas where the demand often greatly outstrips the supply," she said. "So the more persons we get to study, the better it is for Jamaica."

Quality skills development

Miller, 28, from Lucea, Hanover, is the second library assistant to be awarded the Hector Wynter Scholarship, worth $750,000, which is open to full-time employees of JLS and endeavours to enhance quality skills development of librarians through a full-time course of study at the University of the West Indies.

Miller, who was overwhelmed, said: "It feels great, I am humbled by all of this because of my family background. I didn't think that anything like this would come true. I feel really blessed and happy."

According to Miller, libraries are often regarded as a means of research. However, libraries create an environment for literacy development.

A sense of satisfaction

"When a lot of people come to the library, they do not know what they want and, after you conduct an interview with them and that person leaves the library with the information they need, there is a sense of satisfaction."

She continued, "It is important that we also know what is in the library so we can promote reading from an early age."

Neville James, chairman of the scholarship committee, said the selection process was difficult but identified Miller as an individual with boundless potential.

"I hope that Nordia, when you complete your studies, that you will continue to find innovative and interesting ways to encourage our young people in to the libraries," he said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com