The National Library of Jamaica launched its newest online resource; Index to Jamaican Poetry on Friday, April 22, 2016. If you are searching for a Jamaican poem but you only know the author, title, or first line, then this Index to Jamaican Poetry will tell you in which book(s) you will find the poem you seek. The index is designed for students, teachers, scholars, poetry enthusiasts and the curious who are interested in Jamaican poetry. The index includes works of Mervyn Morris, Edward Baugh, M.G. Smith, Rachel Drummond- Manley, Velma Pollard, Mutabaruka, Claude McKay, among many others

By Jamaican Poetry it means written by someone who was born in Jamaica, naturalized as a Jamaican or who can claim at least one parent as Jamaican. Nicole Bryan, Director, Technical Services and Networks (NLJ) describes the index as “…an excellent resource. Jamaica has such a rich heritage of poetry, and this index is a step in making Jamaican poetry much more accessible.”

Winsome Hudson, National Librarian/CEO (NLJ) added as well saying, “The index is an ongoing compilation and feedback to omissions will be greatly appreciated as this will help us to further build this most comprehensive collection of published Jamaican poetry.” She further noted that the index; first of its kind fills a need in the quest of promoting a greater awareness of Jamaican Poetry.

The index can be accessed on NLJ’s website at www.nlj.gov.jm/poetryindex/search.htm