THE CHASE Fund has donated 100 copies of journalist Earl Moxam’s book,
Vantage Point Jamaica: A Reporter’s Chronicle, to the Jamaica Library Service (JLS).

The books were presented to the JLS by chairman of the CHASE Fund, Omar Frith, at the Manchester Parish Library, recently.

The CHASE chairman congratulated Moxam on the publication of the book, which he said provided “a wonderful window into pivotal moments in our social, economic and political history”.

According to Frith, he had enjoyed reading the book which had many stories woven into the very important public events that made him smile.

“We are happy to have in Earl Moxam an objective journalist who has written a book that gives a vantage point of public affairs that was done in an objective and fair way,” said Frith.

He told the audience of JLS staff, community members and students that support for the JLS library network and works by authors, like Moxam, was provided under the CHASE Fund’s arts and culture portfolio.

Fifteen per cent of the fund’s resources are channelled towards projects which lead to improvement of libraries, archives and documentation facilities; offer programmes which develop the talents and skills in Jamaica’s youth; restore and maintain the country’s historic sites and monuments; and support the publication and distribution of books.

“CHASE has been involved in the distribution of many books, having acquired them for libraries and schools and has also financed the publication of over 100 books covering education, culture and history,” added Frith.

The book donation was received by Kishma Simpson, senior director of the JLS, on behalf of the library service.

Simpson thanked the CHASE Fund for the donation and said that the books would be made available through the JLS network to public and school libraries islandwide.

She announced that Vantage Point Jamaica
would be used in the Jamaica Library Service’s National Reading Competition for 2024.

Before reading selected sections from his book, journalist and author Moxam recounted his first job as a librarian with the JLS in St Elizabeth and other parishes before making a career change to journalism.

“There are so many publications which would flounder at the starting point were it not for the contribution that the agency continues to make,” said Moxam as he thanked CHASE for its support to the book industry.

He added that he promised to continue to do his best to be the objective journalist he has always sought to be and to tell stories that are important to the Jamaican people.

Publications which have received CHASE support document Jamaica’s historical and cultural experience, academic and sports achievements and feature poetry and other creative writings. Most of the distribution has been handled through the JLS which has partnered with the fund since 2004.