The National Association of Libraries and Information Professionals (NALIP) is broadening the scope of its long service awards, opening nominations to a wider group of professionals who serve across Saint Lucia’s libraries, museums, archives and information centres.
On Wednesday, December 17th, NALIP President Sonia Rees said the expanded recognition is intended to honour individuals who have dedicated many years to the information profession, whether they are still active or have recently retired.
“It’s for persons who have done, let’s say, around 15 plus years within continuous service within a library profession, information professional profession. Fifteen, 20, 25 years. If they have retired, it could be maybe within the last two to three years, recent retirees and or active persons with continuous service,” Rees explained.
She noted that the awards reflect the growing importance of information professionals in an era dominated by digital content and rapid information sharing. Despite widespread access to technology, Rees warned that many people still struggle to critically assess what they encounter online.
“Even though a lot of people may be on social media and everybody has a phone, the digital literacy, I believe, is lacking,” she said.
Rees pointed to the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence.
“I noted previously misinformation and disinformation. You need to check your sources. You need to check where you get information from. Some people kind of differentiate between AI generated images versus real. And some people do not check. Some people do not fact check,” she cautioned.
She emphasized that information professionals continue to play a crucial educational role. “So we’re here to help. We’re here to continue to teach, guide, educate,” Rees said.
NALIP is inviting members of the public and institutions to submit nominations for the long service awards by March 1st, 2026, as the association seeks to formally acknowledge the contribution of those who have helped guide Saint Lucians through the evolving information landscape.