The Caribbean Collection:
An Archival Survey of the Records of the
Jamaican and Trinidadian Communities of Brooklyn

Progress Report - December 2001


  • We are sorry to announce the loss of the project field assistant.  She was monumental in establishing the web site templates and managing its upkeep and maintenance.  She will be missed as she moves on to peruse other avenues in the field of library science.

  •  
  • Four more surveys were initiated this month-a newspaper, a Roman Catholic Church, an alumni association and the papers of Council Member Una Clarke.   We continue to be increasingly pleased with the community response to this endeavor.

  •  
  • We have secured agreements from Jamaican Progressive League and the Tobagonian Benevolent Association.  These are historically significant organizations that were created as part of the early history of the Caribbean American community.

  •  
  • Survey pages are now under full construction.  We are posting some of our preliminary findings this month. 

  •  
  • The bibliography page has been expanded to include the works of Dr. Roy Simon Bryce Laporte who is a pioneer in the field of Caribbean American Studies.

  •  
  • The project was represented at community events, most notably CACCI’s Christmas networking event and the Immigrant's Journal's annual fundraiser.  Many important contacts were made at these events.

  •  
  • The project coordinator was given another consultation by Julia Shaw of the Shaw-Hunter Associates.  She was able to suggest ways in which the project may be able to partner with radio outlets to further alert the community to its activities.

  •  
  • We were invited to meet with the staff of the Shomberg’s Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.  This repository was an important contact to make.  The Shomberg's staff shared many excellent ideas concerning direction for project.

  •  
  • The Document Survey Form, has been further improved.  We have created a Document Survey Chart to handle records that are not organized.  The chart allows for quickly recording format, arrangement, condition, date, and usage information so that series statements can be compiled at a later time.

  •  
  • Our educational outreach component is finally underway.  We are presently planning two types of workshops-one to be shared with regional archival audiences and a records management workshops for Caribbean organizations.

  •  
  • The project coordinator met with Council Member Una Clarke and was given insight into activities of early Caribbean American community.  The Council Member was also able to provide direct links to important community representatives.

  •  
  • Academic research about the Jamaican, Trinidadian & Tobagonian, and Pan-Caribbean community  continues so that the survey will accurately reflect the dynamics of the community.

 Go to the next Progress Report - January 2002 | Return to Project Progress Reports
 Return to the Project Home Page  |  Return to the Archives & Special Collections Division Home Page
Return to the Brooklyn College Library Home Page