UWI Mona Library

From the Archives | Remembering Sir Arthur Lewis

On the anniversary of his passing, we remember Sir Arthur Lewis (1915–1991), economist, educator, and Nobel Laureate whose contributions transformed the study of economic development.

As the first Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Lewis helped shape the institution during its formative years while championing education and regional advancement throughout the Caribbean.

His intellectual legacy remains a cornerstone of Caribbean scholarship and global economic thought.

📚 Find this and more at the West Indies and Special Collections.

We Have a New Friend at the Mona Library! 

We were delighted to welcome Prof. Lina Britto, who generously donated copies of her work to The University of the West Indies, Mona Library. 

Prof. Britto is a historian and Associate Professor in the Department of History at Northwestern University in Chicago. Her research focuses on the drug history of Latin America and the Caribbean. Her first book offers a compelling look at Colombia, examining how its Caribbean coast became the primary supplier of ma*****na to the United States from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. 

Slide 1: Prof. Britto donates her monograph and two edited books to Ms. Cheryl Kean, Acquisitions Librarian at The Mona Library. 

Slide 2: The publications - Marijuana Boom: The Rise and Fall of Colombia's First Drug Paradise, 2020; Histories of Solitude: Colombia, 1820s–1970s & Histories of Perplexity: Colombia, 1970s–2010s – both co-edited with A. Ricardo López-Pedreros will be available in the West Indies and Special Collections (WISC) 

Slide 3: Sound on! Prof. Lina Britto introducing the publications. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Britto for this meaningful contribution to our collection!

Today, we pause to honour the life and legacy of Dr. Hazel E. Bennett—a distinguished librarian,  educator, author, and cultural advocate whose work left an enduring imprint on the nation. As a pioneering member of the Jamaica Library Service and former Head of the Department of Library Studies at the University of the West Indies, she played a central role in shaping and expanding library and information services across Jamaica.

Dr. Bennett’s influence extended beyond academia and librarianship. Active behind the scenes in numerous theatrical productions and a dedicated contributor to National Festival committees, she helped nurture and celebrate Jamaica’s cultural expression in meaningful ways. Her life’s work reflected a deep commitment to learning, preservation, and the advancement of knowledge.

Her legacy continues through the institutions she strengthened and the generations she inspired. We remember her with gratitude and honour her remarkable service and vision.

Featured here are three works from the West Indies and Special Collections—two of her published books and her thesis— reflecting her lasting scholarly impact.

Image 1: Photo credit:  courtesy of the Department of Library and information Studies