News Releases

UWI launches its virtual library

For Release Upon Receipt - September 30, 2011

St. Augustine


The University of the West Indies (UWI) makes a giant leap toward open access of UWI’s extensive information resources with the launch of its new single virtual university library space on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

The new UWI Libraries’ Information Connexion (UWIlinC) knowledge portal provides instantaneous access to a range of library material including digitized print, audio, video and images from all the libraries across all four UWI campuses via a single web space. For UWI staff and students, UWIlinC consolidates disparate collections into one system and allows for unrestricted access to the vast store of local and remote information resources held within the UWI network of campus libraries. For external parties, the new UWIlinC portal opens a window to UWI’s extensive range of unique Caribbean and scholarly resources, some of which will be available upon request.

In commenting on this landmark project which was five years in the making, University & Campus Librarian Ms. Jennifer Joseph underscored that “the creation of this new virtual library platform reaffirms UWI’s commitment to being a University that is deeply rooted in the Caribbean and an internationally recognised centre of excellence on matters related to our Caribbean region.” She emphasised that UWIlinC is a direct response to the University Libraries’ need, in the face of a rapidly expanding universe of online information, to provide new tools to help people find information in a manner that incorporates both immediacy and relevance. “The continuing revolution in information, computer and telecommunication technologies and the challenge of delivering service across geographically dispersed locations provided the impetus for the this initiative, which  serves not just the UWI community, but our regional and international communities as well.”

An official launch ceremony for the new single virtual library space (by invitation only) takes place at 5:00 pm at the Alma Jordan Library, UWI St. Augustine on October 4, 2011.

For more information on UWIlinC visit the library homepages on any of the UWI campus websites, or contact the Office of the University & Campus Librarian at (1-868-)662-2002 ext. 82008/82009 or email almajordanlibrary@sta.uwi.edu.

For the latest UWI News, click http://sta.uwi.edu/news.

About UWI

Over the last six decades, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged University with over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest and most longstanding higher education provider in the English-speaking Caribbean, with main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and Centres in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Christopher (St Kitts) & Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. UWI recently launched its Open Campus, a virtual campus with over 50 physical site locations across the region, serving over 20 countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. UWI is an international university with faculty and students from over 40 countries and collaborative links with over 60 universities around the world. Through its seven Faculties, UWI offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Pure & Applied Sciences, Science and Agriculture, and Social Sciences.

 

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

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