The Library offers reference service only. The National Library of Jamaica was established in 1979 under the Institute of Jamaica Act of 1978.
Three reading rooms are provided for public inspection of materials - the General Reading Room, the Rare Books Reading Room and the Special Collections Reading Room. It originated from the collection of the West India Reference Library (WIRL) which was founded in 1894 as a section of the Public Library of the Institute of Jamaica. This public library was the first of its kind in Jamaica. It began
20/04/2026
An echo of the past, a voice for the future.
Join us as we breathe life into the verses of Claude McKay. An afternoon where rhythm meets resistance, and every word spoken helps rebuild Sandy Bank Basic School.
The Details:
đź“ŚSunday, April 26 | 2:00 PM
đź“Ť Philip Sherlock Centre, UWI Mona
🎟️ $2,000 JMD
14/04/2026
SAVE THE DATE:
“Speaking Words: Voicing Jamaican Poetry” launches its opening edition with the powerful work of Claude McKay, one of Jamaica’s most influential literary voices.
Founded by Poet Laureate .dawes
đź“ŚSunday, April 26, 2026
đź“Ś2:00 PM
đź“Ť Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, UWI Mona
More details coming soon. Stay tuned!
JamaicanCulture
From the Poet Laureate: Thank you, Jamaica.
26/03/2026
The people have spoken!
Congratulations to Rashaun Stewart, winner of the People’s Choice Award in the Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry 2026.
26/03/2026
The National Library of Jamaica congratulates the first-place winners of the Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry 2026 across four categories.
These poets have distinguished themselves through exceptional craft, originality, and the power of storytelling.
Swipe to meet this year’s top voices in Jamaican poetry.
Poetry, celebration and the voices shaping Jamaica’s literary future.
Relive the moments from the Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry 2026.
17/03/2026
We are introducing the People’s Choice Poetry Award 2026, where you, our social media community, get to vote for your favourite poem from the list of shortlisted applicants.
With support from , your voice helps decide an additional winner in this year’s Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry Competition.
Click the link in our bio to read the shortlisted poems, then cast your vote.
17/03/2026
The NLJ congratulates all contestants shortlisted for the Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry and extends sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the 2026 Poetry Competitions.
The official announcement of prize winners will be made on World Poetry Day, Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Students from The Johns Hopkins School of Engineering donated books today to the Hurricane Relief Book Drive hosted by the National Library of Jamaica through the Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN).
The donation initiative was the brainchild of Lola Jean Baptiste, who first proposed the idea to contribute books to the drive, while fellow student Genesis Zamora helped to expand the effort. Both students, along with Ms. Angie Urrutia, Clark Scholars Program’s Manager, met with JAMLIN Development Manager, Jasheka Robinson to discuss and support the initiative.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of international support. Acts of generosity like these remind us that resilience is strengthened through solidarity, and that as we rebuild our communities, we do so together, restoring not only spaces of learning, but also hope for the future.
LibrariesMatter GlobalSolidarity
12/03/2026
They say many hands make light work, and our hearts are full after visiting Brownstown Community College Library.
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the team at JAMLIN (Jamaica Libraries and Information Network) stepped in to lend a helping hand. Operating as a network within the National Library of Jamaica, we are fully committed to seeing this library restored to its optimum state, because a community is only as strong as its access to knowledge.
Want to get involved?
đź“Ś Donate to our ongoing Book Drive.
đź“Ś Join us for our upcoming Public Clean-Up Day (Details dropping soon!).
Let’s rebuild together. Together, we are JAMLIN strong!
StrongerTogether
06/02/2026
Reggae Month is here!!
Jamaica celebrates Reggae Month from February 1-March 1. Come ketch di riddim and join in on the fun!
See the detailed outline of the events from .
| Monday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 16:00 |