Tumblr+5sherwoodmccaskie.com+5YouTube+5.

We are delighted to feature a remarkable submission from Sherwood McCaskie, an MPhil candidate in the Department of Library and Information Studies, University of the West Indies. His recent blog post—“Shaping Narratives: Information, Creativity, and the Custodians of Caribbean Memory”—offers a compelling reflection on the dynamic interplay between memory, creativity, and the vital role of librarians and archivists in the Caribbean .

Key Highlights:

• Bridging memory and imagination: Sherwood begins by exploring how archives and libraries do much more than store documents, they shape narratives and support creative reinterpretation of Caribbean histories .
• Guardians of cultural heritage: He underscores the essential function of information professionals as custodians of collective memory, preserving and enabling reimagining of Caribbean cultural identity.
• Engaging the community: Through engaging with local stories, oral histories, and creative practices, Sherwood argues that libraries can become vibrant cultural hubs that empower communities to tell their own stories.
• Personal and contextual insight: Drawing on a conversation from April 11, 2005, at Mona Campus, Sherwood blends personal passion and academic inquiry in heritage, creativity, and librarianship.

Sherwood’s work sits at the heart of our Department’s mission: exploring how information professionals can actively shape cultural narratives, rather than passively preserving them. His multidisciplinary approach, merging theoretical insight with practical cultural engagement, serves as an inspiring example for students, faculty, and practitioners alike.

We encourage everyone to read Sherwood’s full post and reflect on these critical questions:

1. How can libraries and archives better support creativity and cultural expression in the Caribbean?
2. In what ways might information professionals engage communities to co-create memory?
3. What strategies can be developed to preserve, interpret, and popularize oral and creative heritage?

🔗 Read Sherwood’s full post here: “Shaping Narratives: Information, Creativity, and the Custodians of Caribbean Memory” by Sherwood McCaskie, May 4, 2025, ~14 min read sherwoodmccaskie.com.