The Garvey Research/Reference Library
Welcome to the Garvey Research/Reference Library.
We are a specialized library that houses approximately 10,000 holdings, inclusive of books, pamphlets and audio visual materials relating to Marcus Garvey, the Garvey Movement, Pan-Africanism and the history and culture of Africa and the African Diaspora. These holdings are divided into two sections, the Adult Collection and the Children’s Collection, serving students from the ages of 7 to 17 years. The Adult Library serves a wide cross-section of users. However, the main users include tertiary and secondary level students, researchers and Garvey enthusiasts, both locally and internationally.
The Reading Room is located on the main floor and houses a mahogany table that was once
owned by Marcus Garvey, an avid antique furniture collector. The table, which is the focal
point of the Reading Room has intricately carved lions at the base. The table serves to inspire
those who sit around it to, “… never stop reading”, as said by Garvey.
The Mission of the Garvey Research/Reference Library is to acquire, preserve and make
accessible, information relating to Marcus Garvey, the Garvey Movement, Pan-Africanism,
and the history and culture of Africa and the African Diaspora.
The Garvey Research/Reference Library is a specialist institution for research in Black
History, Culture and Heritage in the African Diaspora.
The Garvey Research/Reference Library is open Mondays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Any changes to the opening hours
would be communicated through Liberty Hall’s social media channels.
Access to the Library is free and open to the public provided they adhere to the Library’s
policies.
Access to the Library is free and open to the public provided they adhere to the Library’s
policies.
Accommodation
The Reading Room can only accommodate up to six (6) persons at a time. So, for groups larger than six (6), an appointment is required. Requests for information may also be made via email or telephone.
The Garvey Research/Reference Library offers the following services:
The Library staff provides assistance with reference
inquiries, bibliographic searches and navigating library resources. These
services may be accessed in person, by telephone or by email.
The Library staff is available to provide research
assistance and guidance to persons conducting in-depth research or studying
specific topics. Research consultations should be scheduled in advance to
allow for more focused assistance.
The library will, as much as possible, provide
reprographic services to its users. Photocopies may be made of select items in
the collection at a cost. Photocopying of material will be done in keeping with
the provision of the Jamaica Copyright Act. The Library reserves the right to
restrict photocopying of rare and valuable materials, as well as material that
are in relatively poor condition.
Access to Material
All items in the Garvey Research/Reference Library’s holdings, including books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio visual material and digital resources, are available for use within the designated library spaces. Materials may not be checked out but can be photocopied or scanned.
Social Media Presence
The Garvey Research/Reference Library publishes a monthly blog on WordPress titled,
Voice of Liberty Hall. The blog provides another medium for engaging discussion on
Marcus Garvey, the Garvey Movement, Pan-Africanism and the history and culture of Africa
and the African Diaspora.
In an effort to increase the visibility of the Garvey Research/Reference Library, the
Library has embarked on a social media strategy to increase awareness and engagement of
the Library’s collection and the services offered. This includes promotional posts and
educational/informative content, sharing updates about new acquisitions, upcoming events,
resources available and services offered, virtual displays and posting Garvey quotes.
The Garvey Research/Reference Library staff is committed to providing our clients with
efficient service.
