Shelley Lyons wants to revolutionize the library system back home in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and her country’s government thinks she can do it. A language literature teacher for nearly ten years, Lyons was awarded a national scholarship from her homeland to obtain her master’s degree in library and information science at Simmons. “When I complete my training here in the U.S.,” says Lyons, “I will return to my country and help advance the cause of the national library and information services of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Lyons firmly believes the success of any educational structure can only be optimized if supporting structures are in place. “I have seen the impact that a sound technological infrastructure can have on certain sectors of the population,” she says. “Access to information for all individuals, through computer services such as the Internet, is the foundation for social equality.” Lyons thinks that foundation can begin with the library. “Libraries have untapped potential, but many people are now seeing their direct, practical use,” she adds.

As a teacher in Trinidad, Lyons was disturbed to realize many schools were without libraries and librarians, and she became concerned about the effect this could have on language literacy in her country. “Over the years, I have been exposed to disheartening levels of illiteracy,” she adds. After having helped establish two school libraries, Lyons gladly accepted the scholarship to pursue the training and qualifications she would need to become a librarian.

“The importance of a library in schools and communities has been unduly underestimated in my country,” Lyons says. “The image of the library has not changed over the years, and that’s resulted in libraries that are underutilized, dysfunctional, or nonfunctional — basically neglected. With my education and training from Simmons, I want to change that. I want to improve my country’s library system and position it as the logical source for efficient and reliable access to information for all people.”