The latest edition of WIDWISAWN has been published with a focus on the theme of Web 2.0. This special issue is based on the Cataloguing and Indexing Group Scotland (CIGS) seminar "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore": metadata issues and Web2.0 services, held at the National Library of Scotland (NLS) on 21 Feb 2008. WIDWISAWN is a 'webzine' covering developments in Scottish libraries, museums and archives. The presentations from the CIGS event are available on the Scottish Libraries Slidespace.
Scotland's Centre for Architecture and Design is offering free entrance on Saturdays commencing 24 May. Housed in a Mackintosh designed building in Glasgow City Centre, the Lighthouse has three temporary exhibition spaces, a review gallery and a permanent exhibition. The Centre also offers education and life long learning events.
The HMIe report for Armadale Academy in West Lothian contains recognition for the work being carried out in the school library. Inspectors say:"“The librarian made significant contributions to enhancing pupils’ learning across a range of subjects and activities. Her work in supporting pupils’ personal reading was having a particular positive impact.”
A Canadian journalist claims to have found evidence of bias in the Wikipedia editing process. Lawrence Solomon of the National Post attempted to contribute to an article on climate change but had his comments challenging global warming theory rejected. On further investigation, it transpired that the same Wikipedia editor had removed numerous comments of a similar nature. In light of this, Solomon raises concerns for Wikipedia coverage of other controversial issues.
This year's shortlists for the CILIP children's book awards have been announced. The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding book for young people in the over 10 age category. There are seven titles on this year's shortlist: Gatty's Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland, Ruby Red by Linzi Glass, Crusade by Elizabeth Laird, Apache by Tanya Landman, Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve, What I Was by Meg Rosoff and Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine. The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded for distinguished illustration in a book for children. The seven shortlisted titles are: Silly Billy by Anthony Browne, Penguin by Polly Dunbar, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears and Monkey and Me both by Emily Gravett, The Lost Happy Endings by Jane Ray, Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell and Banana! by Ed Vere. The winner will be announced during an award ceremony on Thurs 26 Jun.
Part time temporary 12 Month contract or possible secondment opportunity at HMP Edinburgh. Job description available from Edinburgh City Council. Closing date Fri 2 May.
JISC and SCONUL have published the report - JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study: an evaluation and horizon scan of the current library management systems and related systems landscape for UK higher education [PDF format]
From Apr 28, the current library based in the Royal Museum will be closed to the public until the new library opens in 2010, this is part of the GBP 46.4 million Royal Museum Project initiative to reinvent and renew the Victorian building and its facilities. A library service will be available at the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle. Researchers may contact the library at e: library@nms.ac.uk; t: 0131 247 4137to discuss any work requirements.
The University of Stirling has become the first academic institution in the UK to oblige staff to make all their published research available online. The four year project to create STORRE (Stirling Online Research Repository) came to fruition after the University’s Academic Council issued an institutional mandate which requires self-archiving of all theses and journal articles. The University has produced a Research Repository Policy to support STORRE.
This year's Conference will take place between 3-5 Jun at Peebles Hydro Hotel. The draft preliminary notice and Branch and Group Day booking form are now available. Branch and Group Day will be held on Thurs 5 Jun.
As a result of a new agreement with Ordnance Survey (OS), the UK Legal Deposit Libraries will have access to an archive of digital mapping covering the period 1998-2007. According to PublicTechnology.net, the OS MasterMap web-based system allows precise recording of landscape over time. The user-friendly system can be viewed at all six UK Legal Deposit Libraries, including the National Library of Scotland. Customised A4 colour printouts of specific areas can also be made for private, non-commercial use.
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) is holding an exhibition to illustrate the contribution of Scottish writers and artists in graphic novels. Local Heroes: The Art of the Graphic Novel uses materials from the NLS collections, including The Broons and Batman. The free exhibition runs from 4 Apr to 1 Jun and is open daily. As part of the exhibition, graphic novel veterans Cam Kennedy and Alan Grant gave a talk at the NLS on Wed 9 Apr.
The House of Lords is to rule on a landmark case on the compatibility of data protection and freedom of information laws. OUT-LAW News reports that, according to one expert, the outcome of the case of Common Services Agency vs the Scottish Information Commissioner could have profound implications.
ScottishPower and Friends of the Earth Scotland have launched the 4th Read for the Future challenge to mark International Children's Book Day on Tue 2 Apr. The national sponsored-read will raise funds for Friends of the Earth Scotland and is aimed at children in Primary 7. The organisers hope to encourage children to READuce their carbon footprint by swapping computer games for books.
Kate Cann was the unanimous winner of this year's Renfrewshire Teenage Book Award with her atmospheric book Leaving Poppy. Supported by the school librarians, secondary pupils have spent the last seven months reading and discussing the five short listed books. Over 100 pupils attended the event, which was held in Paisley Town Hall, Fri 28 Mar. The ceremony was hosted by the pupils, with five of them acting as 'Reading Champions'. Three of the authors: Kate Cann, Chris Farnell and Catherine MacPhail were also present and made visits to three schools in the morning. Councillor Lorraine Cameron announced the winner.
The Scottish Information Commissioner has published his Annual Report containing a review of the activities of the organisation over the last year and commentary on freedom of information in Scotland. The report provides a breakdown of appeals made to the Commissioner since January 2005. According to the JISC Legal Newsletter, only 46 out of the total 1574 appeals concerned universities and colleges. The full report may be downloaded from the Scottish Information Commissioner's website.
Scotland's Information
Research Collections Online
Scottish Library and Information Resources
Scottish Distributed Digital Library
Scottish Collections Network
Co-operative Information Retrieval Network for Scotland
© 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 11-May-2011
