Name: Daphne Rowena Douglas
Born: September 26, 1924
Industry: Librarianship, Library service, Education

Professor Daphne Douglas was born on September 26, 1924 in the parish of Kingston to Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Edson Douglas. Her early education was at St. Hilda’s High School, Brown’s Town and Suthermere Commercial School, St. Andrew. Her library education began in 1954 with a Jamaican Government scholarship to the Eastern Caribbean Regional Library School, Trinidad, where she completed requirements for elections as an Associate of the Library Association (ALA) of the United Kingdom. In 1957/1958, a Jamaica Library Service scholarship took her to Leeds College of Commerce School of Librarianship, England, which led to her election as a Fellow of the Library Association (FLA). Later, she was awarded a three-month UNESCO fellowship to the Danish School of Librarianship (August to November 1968) to pursue studies in Library Education. In 1974 she attained the Master of Library Science Degree (MLS) from the University of Pittsburgh where her outstanding work culminated in her election to membership of the International Library Service Honour Society, Bet Phi Mu.

Professor Douglas’ first post as a librarian was with the Jamaica Civil Service (1944-1956) where she also served as Stenotypist and Secretary. She joined the Jamaica Library Service in 1956 and served until 1971. Professor Douglas’ first librarian position was as cataloguer and this was followed by the position of Regional Librarian of the St. James Parish Library. She then held the position of Principal Librarian and Training Officer. Professor Douglas also held the positions of Chief Librarian at the Library of the Institute of Jamaica (1961-1963) and Librarian at the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations (1963-1964).

On the establishment of the Department of the Library Studies, University of the West Indies, she was appointed a lecturer in 1971, then head of the Department from 1976 to 1980 and from 1982-1993.

Professional Affiliations include Jamaica Library Association, renamed Library and Information Association of Jamaica and Association of University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL).

She was Professor of Library Studies from 1984-1994 and made Professor Emeritus in 1994 and was Chairman of the Board of Management of the National Library of Jamaica 1997-2011.

Honours and Awards received by Professor Douglas:

• Silver Musgrave Medal for contribution to Library Development – 2005

• Junior Chamber of Commerce, Liguanea Chapter special award for outstanding service to community – 1993
• Member of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander conferred, by appointment His Excellency, the Governor General of Jamaica in recognition of services in the field of Librarianship – 1992
• Award for Outstanding Service in the field of Librarianship, by the Association of Librarians in the Jamaica Library Service – 1991
• Special Tuition Grant awarded by the University of Western Ontario
• Woman of Distinction: National Award for distinguished service in Librarianship and unbroken service in the field of Library Education –  1976-1985
• Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal for Meritorious Service in the Field of Librarianship and Library – 1979
• Bet Phi Mu (International Library Science Honour society) – 1974
• OAS Fellowship to the University of Pittsburgh – 1973/1974
• UNESCO Fellowship to the Danish School of Librarianship – 1968
• Jamaica Library Service’s scholarship to Leeds School of Librarianship –1957/1958

Related Documents

1. Bio-note – Daphne Douglas, C.D., M.L.S. (Pitt), F.L.A., A.L.A.
2. A Celebration of Excellence in Honour of Professor Emeritus Daphne Douglas Distinguished Librarian and Educator
3. Head of Library Studies Sits on UNESCO Committee – Daily Gleaner – February 29, 1988.
4. DLIS and the Jamaican Library Community to Honor Miss Daphne Douglas May 13, 1995.
5. To Daphne Rowena Douglas with Thanks – Programme.
6. The Jamaica Library Association – Honours Professor Daphne Douglas – March 15, 1984.
7. The Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour – The 1991 Independence Day (5th August) National Civil Honours and
8. Awards – Daphne Douglas.
9. Daphne Douglas Appointed Professor of Library Service
10. Prof. Douglas Attends Information Users Meeting. The Star – Wednesday, September 12, 1990. Gains Master’s Degree in Library
11. Science. The Daily Gleaner – September 30, 1974.
12. Reception for Professor Daphne Douglas. The Daily Gleaner – Thursday March 22, 1984.
13. Prof. Daphne Douglas Gets C.D. The Star – January 4, 1993.
14. In New Post: Miss Daphne Douglas – The Daily Gleaner – April 19, 1956.
15. Librarian Promoted – The Daily Gleaner – Tuesday, April 17, 1956
16. Retiring University of the West Indies Professor Emeritus Daphne Douglas – The Gleaner –May 16, 1995
17. Citation – Daphne Rowena Douglas: For Services in the Field of Library and Information Science.
18. Citation – Miss Daphne Rowena Douglas Curriculum Vitae – Miss Daphne Rowena Douglas
19. Bio-note: Daphne Douglas Professor Emeritus, University of the West Indies
20. . Press Release – Professor Daphne Douglas Receives Commander of Distinction (C.D). October
21. Miss Daphne Rowena Douglas Citation – Daphne Rowena Douglas, Commander of the Order of Distinction.
22. Professor Daphne Douglas, C.D.
23. Professor Daphne Douglas, C. D., M.L.S. (Pitt), F.L.A., A.L.A
24. Curriculum Vitae – Miss Daphne Rowena Douglas