UWI Mona Library

"A new LibGuide spotlighting the life and legacy of Lucille Mathurin Mair is now available. This resource brings together a snapshot of materials to further support research into her contributions to Caribbean history, diplomacy, and feminist thought. "

"Time may change the look of a space, but not its purpose.

This image taken from the West Indies and Special Collections holdings shows a Then and Now look at the Catalogue Hall of the Mona Library—where the environment evolves, but the strength of the resources, services, and commitment to access remains constant".

"Think history is just dates and names? Think again. Historical records can reveal stories of communities, families, and everyday life that continue to shape the Jamaica we know today".

📚 Find images and related info like this and more at the West Indies and Special Collections.

"Imagine having access to the works, ideas, and early academic journeys of some of the Caribbean’s most influential minds—seeing what they studied, how they thought, and how their ideas first took shape.

Well, wonder no more.

At the West Indies and Special Collections, you can explore the papers and theses of some of the region’s most remarkable thinkers and cultural figures, offering a rare glimpse into their formative years and intellectual development."

Come explore with us. Here are a few highlights.

Collections in focus:

Velma E. Pollard - Ph.D. 1986

Pamela Mordecai - Ph.D. 1997

Verene A. Shepherd- M.Phil 1984

Beverley Manley - M.SC 1985

Lucille Mathurin Mair - Ph.D 1974

Ralph Gonsalves - M.SC 1971

Donna Hope - M.Phil 2001

Keith Rowley - Ph.D 1978

📚 Find  related info like this and more at the West Indies and Special Collections.

From the Archives | Remembering Sir Arthur Lewis

On the anniversary of his passing, we remember Sir Arthur Lewis (1915–1991), economist, educator, and Nobel Laureate whose contributions transformed the study of economic development.

As the first Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Lewis helped shape the institution during its formative years while championing education and regional advancement throughout the Caribbean.

His intellectual legacy remains a cornerstone of Caribbean scholarship and global economic thought.

📚 Find this and more at the West Indies and Special Collections.

We Have a New Friend at the Mona Library! 

We were delighted to welcome Prof. Lina Britto, who generously donated copies of her work to The University of the West Indies, Mona Library. 

Prof. Britto is a historian and Associate Professor in the Department of History at Northwestern University in Chicago. Her research focuses on the drug history of Latin America and the Caribbean. Her first book offers a compelling look at Colombia, examining how its Caribbean coast became the primary supplier of ma*****na to the United States from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. 

Slide 1: Prof. Britto donates her monograph and two edited books to Ms. Cheryl Kean, Acquisitions Librarian at The Mona Library. 

Slide 2: The publications - Marijuana Boom: The Rise and Fall of Colombia's First Drug Paradise, 2020; Histories of Solitude: Colombia, 1820s–1970s & Histories of Perplexity: Colombia, 1970s–2010s – both co-edited with A. Ricardo López-Pedreros will be available in the West Indies and Special Collections (WISC) 

Slide 3: Sound on! Prof. Lina Britto introducing the publications. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Britto for this meaningful contribution to our collection!

Thank you for being part of The UWI Mona Library Community. Wishing you a weekend filled with rest, learning and a little adventure between the pages of a good book.

We are honoured to recognise 13 dedicated staff members whose years of service range from 15 to 40 years. Their commitment and passion have contributed significantly to the success of the university and the library they serve. Thank you for the chapters you have written and the legacy you continue to build.

Today, we pause to honour the life and legacy of Dr. Hazel E. Bennett—a distinguished librarian,  educator, author, and cultural advocate whose work left an enduring imprint on the nation. As a pioneering member of the Jamaica Library Service and former Head of the Department of Library Studies at the University of the West Indies, she played a central role in shaping and expanding library and information services across Jamaica.

Dr. Bennett’s influence extended beyond academia and librarianship. Active behind the scenes in numerous theatrical productions and a dedicated contributor to National Festival committees, she helped nurture and celebrate Jamaica’s cultural expression in meaningful ways. Her life’s work reflected a deep commitment to learning, preservation, and the advancement of knowledge.

Her legacy continues through the institutions she strengthened and the generations she inspired. We remember her with gratitude and honour her remarkable service and vision.

Featured here are three works from the West Indies and Special Collections—two of her published books and her thesis— reflecting her lasting scholarly impact.

Image 1: Photo credit:  courtesy of the Department of Library and information Studies