Library Services Unit - History

The Main Library of the Ministry of Planning, established in 1967, was formed out of the Economic Planning Division of the Prime Minister’s Office.

From the period 1969 – 1986, the name of the Library changed several times as the names of the Ministry changed. In 1986, by Cabinet Minute No. 2357 dated 25th September 1986, the Library Services Unit (LSU) was established in the then Ministry of Finance and Planning.

After the 2007 General Elections a new merged Ministry comprising: Planning, Housing and the Environment was formed in November 2007.

The Ministry has two Branch libraries: the Twin Towers Branch (TT) and the Library in the South Quay building, the latter of which was established in 2006.

The Library Services Unit (LSU) of the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment currently consists of two libraries, one servicing the South Quay building and the other in the Twin Towers. Both Libraries provide service to all units of the Ministry, wherever they may be located.

Today, the LSU (TT) is serviced by ten members of staff and the South branch by two, who have a direct human resource relationship with The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) and the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment.

The NALIS Act, No. 18 of 1998, assigns to the statutory body the responsibility to provide for the development and co-ordination of all Library and information services in Trinidad and Tobago. At the same time, the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment, has responsibility for physical facilities, collection and other resources.

The staff consists of: a senior Systems Librarian (SL) who heads the LSU, with the assistance of the Librarians II (LII) and the para-professional staff.