Science Library

The Natural History Museum of Jamaica Science Library

The NHMJ’s Science Library is a Special Library located within the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. It houses a reference collection with over 10,000 volumes including rare publications on Jamaica’s flora and fauna. The Science Library is mandated to support education and research by providing access to scientific resources and services. It serves as a specialized hub for knowledge in the field of botany, zoology and biodiversity. The Library is open to the general public; however the facilities are often used by visiting researchers, students of secondary and tertiary institutions, and research staff of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica and the Institute of Jamaica.

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Objectives

The Science Library is an integral part of the functions and activities of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, being as it is one of the main information dissemination services for the division.

The main aims and objectives of the Science Library are:
• Provide a wide array of resource materials on the natural history of Jamaica.
• Provide scope to the biodiversity issues.
• Maintain an effective and efficient collection of resource materials on the flora and fauna of Jamaica.
• Reflect past and current areas of biodiversity research in its collection.

History

The Legislative Council in the early 19th century accumulated a collection of science books, particularly botanical books.

In 1879, when the Institute of Jamaica was established, the Legislative Council, reckoning the institution as the appropriate body for such holdings donated the collection to them. Since then, the library has grown with personal writings and contributions of the NHMJ research and scientific staff, as well as through the donations and select purchase of key biodiversity publications and is an integral part of the functions and activities of the NHMJ, being as it is one of the main information dissemination centres for the Division.

Location and Hours

The NHMJ Science Library is accessible to the public by appointment only between the hours of:

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. Mondays through Thursdays and 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Our friendly and efficient staff are willing to help you as best as possible. You can make an appointment by calling (876) 922-0620-6 ext. 237 or 244 or email library@nhmj-ioj.org.jm