A new SUNCAT blog has recently been set up to cover the latest news about SUNCAT (Serials Union CATalogue for the UK research community). It will include information about new libraries added, updates to existing libraries, enhancements to the service and any meetings or events the SUNCAT team have been involved with.
First Minister, Alec Salmond, announced on Wed 30 Jan 2008, the Scottish Government's intention to reduce the number of Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) by 25%. Included in the review will be the National Library of Scotland, as one of the National Collections. He highlighted their vital role in our cultural life, inspiring our public, generating tourism and promoting Scotland to the world and given this would like them to look at how they can work more closely together to strengthen their impact in their national role. The aim of this government initiative is to reduce bureaucracy, make public service simple and effective, improve the delivery results and increase productivity. The government will consult with the National Collections and stakeholders in coming months on how this may be achieved. Further details of the announcement are available on the Scottish Government website.
The latest issue of TACIT, produced by ELISA (Edinburgh Libraries & Information Services Agency) is now available. It includes an article on how Blackwell are seeking to develop potential and existing partnership working with libraries in Edinburgh.
Bookings are now being taken for EC 2008 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh on Tue 11 Mar. Check the SLAINTE events page for further details and to book. Registration is free of charge.
January newsletter is now available. For more information visit the 500 years of printing in Scotland website.
The BBC Radio Scotland project to write a novel in a month will take place in February with crime as this year's theme. Write here, write now participants sign up for a daily email of advice from professional writers who give their tips on all aspects of writing a novel. There will also be advice from publishers and agents towards the end of the month. Participants are expected to write 1000 words a day but are not required to submit their novel at the end of the period.
Divided City by Theresa Breslin was declared winner of the 2008 RED book award at a ceremony in Falkirk Town Hall on Wed 23 Jan. The novel, about sectarianism in Glasgow, saw off competition from four other books to scoop the prize. Secondary pupils from across Falkirk delivered presentations based on the shortlisted titles before the winner was announced. The ceremony was attended by four of the five shortlisted authors who all wore red to mark the theme of the day.
Vol 99, No 31 (December 2007) of Library and Information Research, the journal of the CILIP Library and Information Research Group, is now available online with open access. This issue includes articles on health information, Web 2.0 and school pupils' information behaviour.
A new Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Copyright section has just been added to SLAINTE. It gives an overview of IPR and, more specifically, copyright for library and information professionals. If you have any comments or would like any information or resources added please contact Celia Jenkins, e: slic4@slainte.org.uk.
A survey of food sales in libraries has been conducted in the US. The research was carried out by New York based organisation Primary Research Group and was based on analysis of 40 libraries, according to The Guardian. The Survey of Library Cafes revealed that, on average, approximately 1.42% of library revenue came from fruit sales but that no library made more than 5% of their revenue from fruit. A copy of the publication is held at the University of Aberdeen's Queen Mother Library.
The 7th Silver Surfer's Day will take place on Fri 23 May. The media literacy campaign for older people was established in 2002 to encourage the over 50s to go online. A free events resource pack is available to help organisations plan related activities.
Falkirk Council has introduced free WiFi internet access to all public libraries in the area. The initiative was funded through the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM). Users over the age of 16 will be provided with a login ID and Pin number which will allow them to access the web on laptops or handheld devices.
The programme for Glasgow's third annual literary festival, Aye Write, was launched on Fri 18 Jan. The festival will take place in March and features authors Hanif Kureishi, Louis de Bernieres and Tony Parsons. There will also be a 24-hour read of Edwin Morgan's poetry taking place at the Gallery of Modern Art from noon on Fri 25 Jan. There will also be a celebration of the nation's Makar at the Mitchell Library.
The 40th edition of the book review magazine Teen Titles has been published by Edinburgh City Council. The special edition features a competition and quiz as well as interviews with popular authors Marcus Sedgwick and Louise Rennison. Teen Titles is aimed at anyone with an interest in books for young people and is available by subscription.
A study published on Wed 16 Jan is the first in the UK to investigate the claim that younger generations use electronic information sources differently from older generations, according to The Guardian. The study was conducted by Dr Ian Rowlands, a library and information studies lecturer at University College London, and aimed to discover how the Google generation's information-seeking behaviour might affect their expectations and use of libraries.
A recent HMIE report has shown clear recognition of the skills of School Librarian Kelly Dawson. The report on Milne's High School in Fochabers, Moray, states: "The school librarian provided very good support to enhance pupils' learning".
The Library of Congress has reversed its decision to classify Scots authors as English literature. The controversial decision would have seen Scottish literature and other Scottish materials grouped under just three headings: English Literature - Scottish Authors, Dialect Literature - Scottish, and Scotland - Literatures. The reversal of this decision was welcomed by Scottish authors and politicians according to the BBC.
In collaboration with SLIC, Scottish public library services are carrying out a consultation on the needs of library users whose first language is not English. An online survey will be open until Mon 28 Jan and can be completed by residents across the 32 authorities. The project board will then meet on Mon 4 Feb to discuss results and areas for service development.
The shortlist for the 2008 Angus book award was announced by 2003 winner Keith Gray. The shortlisted titles are: Close-up by Sherry Ashworth, Leaving Poppy by Kate Cann, Bunker 10 by J.A. Henderson, Omega Place by Graham Marks and Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan. During the coming months, pupils will read the shortlisted titles before voting for their favourite in a secret ballot. The award ceremony will take place on 20 May 2008.
Nominations for the CSG Information Literacy group's IL practitioner of the year award will remain open until Thu 31 Jan. Recipients of this award are recognised for their outstanding achievements within the area of information literacy and will receive £500 for their favourite charity and £500 for their personal use. The award will be presented at the LILAC 2008 Conference dinner at Liverpool Town Hall March 18th 2008. The Award is open to all working in the IL arena from any sector of the information profession. Applicants will be judged on innovation, initiative and originality. Individuals may nominate themselves or colleagues
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© Send comments, suggestions and queries about SLAINTE to Gillian Hanlon. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 UK: Scotland License 27-Jul-2010
