Jasmin Alicia Simmons
Belmont
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Executive Director (Ag)
NALIS
- March – April 2025, September 2024- October 2024, May 2024 October- November 2023, March- April 2023 September 2022-October 2022, November 2021-February 2022 November 2020- February 2021
- Under the direction of the Executive Director, plans, implements and manages a comprehensive programme of library services, establishing goals and measuring accomplishments against recognized standards
- Assists the Executive Director in the formulation and development of organizational strategy (strategic planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation)
- Works with the Executive Director to provide the lead in the development of the financial strategy to enable NALIS to perform all of its functions
- Sets the strategic direction and monitors the operations of the Projects/Facilities Management Department and Corporate Security Department
- Sets the strategic direction of and monitors the operations of the Technical Services Department, Special Libraries Division and Research Planning and Development Department
- Chairs the Library Project Implementation Committee
- Key accomplishments:
- - Managing National Development Programme on Library building projects
- - Liaising with Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service on the development of Co-located Library at Golden Grove Prison, 2025
- - Delivered opening remarks for Bocas Lit Festival 2025
- - Liaising with Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association on projects
- - Lead, Co-location activities at San Fernando West Indian Reference Library
Director Heritage Library Division
NALIS
10.2021 - Current
- Responsible for professional work in the administration and strategic direction of the Heritage Library Division and the preservation and conservation of the Heritage of Trinidad and Tobago
- Planning, designing, directing co-coordinating, implementing the budgeting for activities of the Heritage Library Division
- Drafting policies and recommendations and advising on all Heritage matters nationwide;
- Managing the process of developing the Caribbeana collections at NALIS; representing NALIS on national committees for culture and heritage activities
- Liaises with external bodies, organizations and individuals locally, regionally and internationally to establish partnerships for the hosting of Heritage programmes and acquisition of Heritage Materials
- Coordinating activities at the Preservation and Conservation Laboratory, IFLA – PAC Regional Centre for the English Speaking Caribbean
- Key accomplishments :
- - Lead, successful Nomination for Machel Montano, inscription on the UNESCO MOWLAC register, 2025
- - Delivered opening remarks the launch of Spiritual Baptist Holiday Celebrations 2025
- - Lead in submission of nomination Eintou Pearl Springer and Le Roy Clarke Collection for inscription to the UNESCO MOW International Register 2024
- - Delivered opening remarks for celebration of Eintou @80 a celebration of Eintou Pearl Springer 2024
- - Produced Foreword publication of online discussion: Experiments in Power: Obeah and the Remaking of Religion in Trinidad, 2025
- - Participant, NALIS Celebrity Tale a thon, 2024
- - Closing Remarks First Time Authors Appreciation
- 2024
- - Delivered Brief remarks at Celebrating V
- S
- Naipaul.2023
- - Delivered discussion tour for Film TT 60th Anniversary 2022
- - Assisted in the production of 60th Anniversary Trinidad and Tobago Independence production “ For the Love of Liberty”
Director, Public Libraries Division
NALIS
12.2019 - 09.2021
- Responsible for professional work in the administration and strategic direction of the Education Library Services Division
- Leads the development and implementation of Divisional strategic plan
- Planning, designing, directing co-coordinating, implementing the budgeting for activities of Public Libraries Division
- Key accomplishments:
- - Coordinated with Public Relations and Marketing Department, Radio Station I95 Storytelling across all Divisions
- - Member of the Disaster Management Response Committee- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 2020-2021
- - Managed the colocation of the St Helena Public Library
- - Developed protocols to deal with COVID-19 for Public Libraries
- - Managing the coordination of Public Libraries Online Programme under COVID-19 period
- - Delivered interviews and via television and radio on with regard to NALIS’ COVID 19 initiatives
- - Creation of Webinars for online teaching and learning for the Ministry of Education on library related topics
- - Revitalized Digital initiatives for Senior Citizens
- - Participant at UN partnership on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (UNPRD) Multi-Partner Trust Fund Grant Project Induction Training May18- June 8, 2021
- - Participant at consumer Behavior in the global market place in the time of Coronavirus, April 22 2020
- - Managing Virtual internships programme for Library Science Students, 2019
Director, Educational Library Services Division
NALIS
03.2018 - 12.2019
- Responsible for the work in the field of educational library management and administration
- Provides leadership and strategic direction for the development, implementation of and the operations of the Educational Libraries Services Division
- Planning, designing, directing co-coordinating, implementing the budgeting for activities of the Education Library Services Division
- Provides strategic support to other Divisions and external stakeholders ensuring divisional adherence to national policies
- Sets the strategic direction of and monitors the operation of the Technical services Department, Secondary School Libraries Unit, Primary School Libraries Unit, and the Ministry of Education Corporate Libraries of the Educational Libraries Services Division
- Advises the Ministry of Education on all matters relating to the maintenance and upkeep of library facilities and equipment of all Ministry of Education Libraries
- Key Accomplishments
- Represents NALIS on the NACETT- National Advisory Committee for Education in Trinidad and Tobago
- Developing relationship with School Principals across Trinidad and Tobago
Librarian IV(ag)
NALIS
01.2015 - 02.2018
- Responsible for managing and coordinating all the collections at the Heritage Library Division, in all formats and at all stages of the life cycle, including selection, acquisition, indexing, digitization, storage and preservation
- Develops comprehensive policies and procedures for the selection management and use of the Heritage collection across the NALIS network of Libraries
- Establishes goals, sets standards and objectives for Collection Management Services in accordance with the vision, mission and strategic objectives of NALIS
- Identifies stock gaps and makes recommendations for the selection and acquisition of relevant items to fill those stock gaps
- Negotiates with prospective donors or vendors for the acquisition or purchase of special collections
- Examines trade publications and information sources, makes recommendations for the acquisition of relevant titles, and prepares an annual list of orders of relevant material in all formats to be acquired for the collections
- Establishes links with Trinidad and Tobago Missions abroad, Universities, the Technical Services Department, other national libraries, regional and international organizations to keep abreast of publications about Trinidad and Tobago in order to acquire these publications for the Heritage Library Division and where appropriate the other Libraries within the NALIS network
- Selects, acquires and recommends storage and preservation of material for the various collections at the Heritage Library Division
- Key accomplishments:
- - NGC Bocas Lit Fest, Burt Code Award for Caribbean Literature Judge, 2017
Librarian III
NALIS
09.2010 - 01.2014
- Responsible for the provision of a wide range of value-added services to facilitate access to, interpretation and use of the collections by all patrons through Heritage databases built for that purpose
- Supervises and co-ordinates the work or of the Oral History, Special Collections and Indexing Sections of the Heritage Library Division
- Plans, designs, manages and implements indexing programs at the Heritage Library
- Establishes goals and sets standards, in collaboration with the Information Services Librarian IV – Collection Management, for the indexing of Heritage material
- Indexes all non-Information File resources in the Heritage Library collection and extract the relevant national subject terms
- Designs and facilitates training programmes for staff responsible for indexing the various collections at the Heritage Library Division
- Supervises and coordinates the Librarian’s II in the indexing of Special Collections, Oral History records, genealogical records and performing Arts collections
- Ensures that inventories are done for all new collections
- Advises and assists the Information Services Librarian IV – Collection Management and the Information Services Librarian II, Special Collections and Rare books on the digitizations of Heritage material
- Communicates and coordinates electronic activities related to the databases with the Director Networks Division
- Provides patrons with research assistance and advises the Heritage staff in reference and research work
- Key accomplishments:
- - UNESCO Pan-Caribbean Consultative Meeting on Memory of the World, 2nd - 6th June, 2014, Anguilla
- Discussing preservation issues with various stakeholders in Anguilla and to attend meetings
- - Instrumental in conducting significant research in submission and successful inclusion of the Constantine Collection on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, 2011
- - Conducting significant research in submission of the Anson Gonzalez Collection for inclusion on the UNESCO Memory of the World National and Regional registers, 2013
- - Coordination of the travelling exhibition for the UNESCO Memory of the World exhibition
- - Managing the activities celebrating the inscription of the Constantine Collection on the UNESCO Memory of the World International register , 2012
- - Managing and coordinating the activities for World Book and Copyright Day- First Time Authors programme and exhibition, 2011, 2012,and 2013
- - Member of the NALIS Website Content Committee
- - Member of the NALIS Health and Safety Committee
- - Providing preservation technical assistance to Corpus Christi College, Learning Resource Center
Librarian IV (Ag) – Operations and Client Services
NALIS
12.2012 - 01.2013
- Responsible for: Inter library loans; outreach services and programmes; exhibitions; repackaging of information from the collection; establishing partnership with publishers and authors to promote the distribution and promotion of heritage material
- Supervision is exercised over the staff in the section and work is performed with a considerable degree of initiative, independent judgment tact and diplomacy
Librarian II
NALIS
01.2007 - 09.2010
- Responsible for the management and coordination of the physical care and preservation of the Heritage Library Collections
- Works closely with the NALIS Conservator and the Information Networks Division to ensure the preservation of the Heritage Collection across the NALIS network of libraries
- Defines and implements a programme for identification, solicitation and acquisition of manuscripts, rare books and document collection
- The process requires coordination and consultation with special collectors and major stakeholders
- Plans manages, develops and coordinates the development of the special collections in all formats and media which includes unpublished primary resources rare books an ephemera
- Manages the operation of the Wei t’o Freezer with regard to the fumigation and freeze drying of documents/books internal and external to NALIS
- Key Accomplishments:
- - Assisting in the outfitting of the Preservation and Conservation Laboratory
- - Providing consultation services at NALIS network of libraries with respect to the preservation of library materials, Arima, Sangre Grande, Carnegie
- - Conducting training sessions and workshops on the care and handling of library material
- - Providing technical assistance in disaster related emergencies; Coryal High School, St Joseph Convent
- University of the southern Caribbean, Cipriani Labour College, St George’s College
- - Managing the acquisition of Peter Bynoe Collection, Caribbean Contemporary Arts Archive
- - Assisting the Director, Heritage Library Division in managing the physical reorganization of the Heritage Library
- - Assisting in the outfitting of the Preservation and Conservation Laboratory
- - Fumigation and freeze drying of over 3000 documents
- - Performing administrative duties at the HLD in the absence of the Director and Librarian IV where necessary
- - Presenter at Library Week, Careers in Libraries Panel Discussion at Preysal High School, October 7th 2009
- “Preserving our Past, Present and Future
- - Drafting policies, procedures and work plans
- - Assisting in the drafting of job descriptions for all positions at the Heritage Library Division
- - Directing the NALIS Sashei Players 2008 production of “The Schoolmaster”
- - Storytelling and Puppetry
Librarian I
NALIS
01.2007 - 03.2007
Information Assistant – Information Center
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.2001 - 01.2005
- UWI Campus St
- Augustine, Trinidad
- Manages a Question and Answer Services to CARDI Staff and external clients (loans, referrals, SDI literature searches)
- Maintains bibliographic database (Winisis)
- Maintains seven special collection in keeping the Institute’s work programme
- Design and preparation on information products and services
- Provides support to corporate communication services
- Prepares monthly statistical reports
Information Clerk – Registry
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.1998 - 01.2001
- UWI Campus St
- Augustine, Trinidad
Temporary Registry Assistant
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.1996 - 01.1998
- UWI Campus St
- Augustine, Trinidad
Library Technician Trainee
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, National Training Board
01.1994 - 01.1996
Sales Clerk
Christian Booksellers
12.1991 - 01.1992
Customer Service Clerk Trainee
Bank of Nova Scotia
04.1991 - 05.1991
Education
Masters in Library Science - MLIS
University of Pittsburgh
01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Literature in English (Option)
University of West Indies
01.2002
Certificate of Performance - Library Services Assistant
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, National Training Board
01.1996
A' Levels - Sociology, English Literature
The University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies Sixth Form (Day) School
01.1990
Skills
- Computer Literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Editing technical documents
- Library database software – Winisis
Affiliations
- Counselor, Christian Assemblies Camp
- Sunday School Teacher – Olivet Gospel Hall
- Board Member, Scripture Union
- Board Member, Christian Assemblies Camp
- Member, Every Child Is Counted
- Adult Literacy Tutor – ALTA (2003 – present)
Timeline
Director Heritage Library Division
NALIS
10.2021 - Current
Director, Public Libraries Division
NALIS
12.2019 - 09.2021
Director, Educational Library Services Division
NALIS
03.2018 - 12.2019
Librarian IV(ag)
NALIS
01.2015 - 02.2018
Librarian IV (Ag) – Operations and Client Services
NALIS
12.2012 - 01.2013
Librarian III
NALIS
09.2010 - 01.2014
Librarian II
NALIS
01.2007 - 09.2010
Librarian I
NALIS
01.2007 - 03.2007
Information Assistant – Information Center
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.2001 - 01.2005
Information Clerk – Registry
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.1998 - 01.2001
Temporary Registry Assistant
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
01.1996 - 01.1998
Library Technician Trainee
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, National Training Board
01.1994 - 01.1996
Sales Clerk
Christian Booksellers
12.1991 - 01.1992
Customer Service Clerk Trainee
Bank of Nova Scotia
04.1991 - 05.1991
Deputy Executive Director (Ag)
NALIS
Bachelor of Arts - Literature in English (Option)
University of West Indies
Certificate of Performance - Library Services Assistant
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, National Training Board
A' Levels - Sociology, English Literature
The University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies Sixth Form (Day) School
Masters in Library Science - MLIS
University of Pittsburgh
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