National Library JA

A special moment at the NLJ! Yesterday, we welcomed Ms. Joan Romain to celebrate the birthday of her father, legendary theatre & broadcasting icon Ranny Williams (Mass Ran). Mass Ran paved the way for Jamaican culture & storytelling. We speak his name! #RannyWilliams #NLJ

Honouring a legend whose words, wit, and wisdom gave voice to our culture and forever shaped Jamaican identity. Happy birthday Miss Lou! Walk good and walk loud.♥️

Episode 1 is OUT NOW! Meet Gabrielle Campbell, the 2026winner of the Michael Cooke Prize for Poetry. In this debut episode, Gabrielle shares the inspiration behind her winning poem, her creative writing process, and much more. Click the link in our bio to watch full episode!

Legend doesn’t even begin to cover it! While history books often mark tomorrow, a recent chat with his daughter reminded us that today is the actual day to remember and honour the unmatched genius of Ranny Williams, fondly known as “Maas Ran”.

Last week, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport officially presented Jamaica's current Poet Laureate, Professor Kwame Dawes, with his citation, formally recognizing and celebrating his appointment for the 2025–2028 term. Congratulations, Professor Dawes!

SAVE THE DATE: Exciting news! The second staging of Speaking Words: Voicing Jamaican Poetry will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. More details coming soon…. Stay tuned.

Wrap up #ReadCaribbeanMonth with Tree Seen By Thirty Jamaican Poets! 🇯🇲🍃 Assembled by Ms. Olive Senior, this beautiful anthology explores culture, identity & memory through 30 unique voices. Get your copy today! 📧 poetlaureate@nlj.gov.jm 📞 875-967-1526

Join us this Thurs, May 28 at 10 AM for "Valuable Lives: Black Unfreedom and the End of Slavery in Jamaica" with Prof. Matthew J. Smith. Discover a vital new database tracing the names & roots of Jamaica's last generation of enslaved Africans. 🖥️ shorturl.at/hs1yB

SAVE THE DATE: "Speaking Words: Voicing Jamaican Poetry" launches its opening edition with the powerful work of Claude McKay,  one of Jamaica’s most influential literary voices. Founded by Poet Laureate Kwame Dawes.   Sunday, April 26, 2026, 2:00 PM
📍 Philip Sherlock Centre

From the Poet Laureate: Thank you, Jamaica.

We are introducing the People’s Choice Poetry Award 2026, where you, our social media community, get to vote for your favourite poem from the list of shortlisted applicants. Click the link in our bio to read the shortlisted poems, then cast your vote!