THE Jamaica Library Service (JLS) was recently gifted with two panels painted with pictures of the island’s endemic birds, thanks to the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET).

They were unveiled at the Junior Library of the Kingston and St Andrew Public Library on May 21, in a ceremony to publicly recognise JET’s donation, as well as to celebrate International Biodiversity Day, which is observed each year on May 22.

The panels, funded by BirdLife International, depict 29 of Jamaica’s 30 endemic birds and were painted by artist Fiona Godfrey and members of her Young at Art programme. They were unveiled by Patricia Roberts, director general of the JLS and Diana McCaulay, JET’s chief executive officer, with help from St Hugh’s Preparatory School students. In attendance were representatives of JET, JLS, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust and students from St Hugh’s Preparatory School and Clan Carthy Primary.

The placement of the panels in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library is designed to contribute to an improved awareness of biological diversity and Jamaica’s bird life among children and the wider populace.

“We are happy these panels have found a home at the Junior Library,” said McCaulay. Roberts, for her part, expressed appreciation for the gift and said users of the Junior Library had already begun showing interest in the panels and their content.

The JLS has been a driving force on the Jamaican landscape for more than 60 years. An agency of the Ministry of Education, it provides information, recreational and educational services through a network of 558 public library service points and 926 school libraries across the island.

The goal of the JLS is to enable national development by providing universal access to information, creating and supporting a knowledge-based society of culturally aware, lifelong learners. Established in 1991, JET is dedicated to environmental education and advocacy to protect Jamaica’s natural resources.