Our Name
Kenneth Eugene Forde
The University for the Southern Caribbean Library was dedicated to the memory of Kenneth Eugene Forde, an esteemed alumnus who returned to serve his alma mater after completing his Master’s Degree. Throughout his tenure as Dean of Men, teacher, and later as President from 1966 to 1971, Forde played a pivotal role in shaping the institution. Under his leadership, the construction of the College Library commenced, marking a significant milestone in the campus's development.
Forde's contributions extended beyond mere infrastructural development; he spearheaded negotiations for the first accredited four-year degree program, the Bachelor in Theology, at the then Caribbean Union College (CUC), now USC. His wife, Joyce Shannon Forde, also contributed substantially to the college community, serving in various roles, including secretary, teacher, and librarian. In their roles as President and Librarian, respectively, the Fordes collaborated tirelessly with administrators, faculty, staff, and students to enrich the library's resources and enhance its academic offerings. As stated prior, the Library was named ‘The Forde Library’ in honour of their commitment and leadership.
Library History
In response to the textbook shortage, the first official library was established at La Realista, marking a pivotal moment in the institution's history.
In April 1928, Elder D.D. Fitch, the then President of the South Caribbean Conference, donated several copies of "Patriarchs and Prophets", laying the foundation for library services. That same year, the College Board allocated $200.00 for textbook purchases to be available for loan from the library.
From 1928 to 1930, Mrs. Inez Hamilton laid the groundwork for library operations at La Realista, converting the old estate house into the first official library.
In subsequent years, dedicated individuals like Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Edith Baerg, and Mrs. Lucy Kum, among others, contributed to the library's growth and development. Significant milestones included the library's relocation to a new college hall in 1940 and the subsequent expansion of holdings and services in the following decades.
In 1972, the Library moved into a new purpose-built facility, and Joyce Forde served as its Librarian until 1975.
From 1975 to 1999, Ms. Norma Greaves took the helm, overseeing substantial expansions in holdings and services, including the automation of circulation, introduction of digital resources, and physical expansion of the library space.
Under Petra Pierre-Robertson's leadership from 1999 to 2018, the Library continued modernising, implementing integrated library management systems, expanding electronic resources, and enhancing user services.
Since 2018, under the direction of Stacyann Quintero, the Library has undergone further digital transformation, embracing fully online service delivery, enhancing social media engagement, and introducing new services such as InterLibrary Loans and online payments. By September 2024, the website will be fully redesigned for greater patron usability and accessibility. Lastly, by December 2024, Director Quintero will fulfil yet another digitization milestone with the implementation of Ex Libris Alma and Ex Libris Primo, the former being a 21st-century Library Management System and the latter being an integrated Discovery Layer.
Throughout its history, the Library has remained committed to serving the needs of the University community, adapting to technological advancements and evolving educational requirements.