Inverclyde Libraries were recently awarded learndirect Scotland branding and celebrated by holding a launch and Give it a Go day on Mon 26 Jan. The day gave people the chance to come and see the many ways the library provides learning to the local community. The event was well attended, with around 500 people getting the chance to speak to library course providers such as James Watt College, the University of the West of Scotland and the community learning team, as well as trying out some of the 600+ learndirect online learning bytes. Users also had the chance to find out about the ABC Project that helps library learners with disabilities and was originally set up through funding from the Public Libraries Quality Improvement Fund (PLQIF). Added: 30 Jan
East Lothian Libraries launched a new self-issue system on Mon 27th of January thanks to the Public Libraries Quality Improvement Fund. East Lothian are the first public library authority in Scotland to choose 3M as their self-issue provider. The B-series system was chosen due to its intuitive interface and ability to accommodate the use of smartcards and traditional library cards. Providing a self-issue system will enable users to skip the queue at busy times and allow staff to focus on delivering a more personal customer service. Added: 29 Jan
HMIe report entitled Education for Learners with Dyslexia, published in Oct 2008, recognises the contribution of school librarians to literacy development. "...School librarians often provided effective support for pupils through literacy and reading groups held at lunchtimes..." (quote taken from p6 of report) Added: 29 Jan
Shetland Library has introduced a new microfilm printer as part of a programme of service improvements through the Public Libraries Quality Improvement Fund (PLQIF). Library users will now be able to print newspaper records straight from the microfilm, which will be of particular benefit to family and local history researchers. The PLQIF award will also be used to improve accessibility, including the introduction of hearing loop systems, adjustable desks and assistive software packages. PLQIF is awarded by SLIC and attached to the PLQIM public library evaluation framework. Added: 22 Jan
Aberdeen City Libraries (ACL) have been successful in a funding application to continue to operate a Europe Direct Information Centre from the Central Library.
ACL are part of a European Commission network of over 400 centres providing information on all aspects of the EU. ACL have been providing a service since Dec 2007 and were invited to re-apply under the Call for Proposals to host public information centres for the period 2009-2013. Added: 21 Jan
Scottish Borders Council launched their My health project in Duns Library on Tues 20 Jan. The new health resources and the Health in hand website were launched by Mary Wilson, Chair of the NHS Board at a health and well-being day. The project is supported by the Scottish Government Public Library Quality Improvement Fund, which is managed by SLIC. Building on existing partnership work, health-related resources have been placed in libraries, links to health care practitioners strengthened and a programme of activities developed including health website taster sessions in libraries. Added: 21 Jan
An innovative reading group programme for groups from local care homes has been piloted at Dundee Central Library. The groups meet on a weekly basis to introduce adults, who have a wide variety of physical and learning disabilities, to library resources. Each group consists of up to 15 participants and sessions last for two hours. A number of multi sensory resources are used in each session - from puppets to seaweed - to make storytelling a stimulating and enjoyable experience. Group members become involved in the stories by deciding on options within the story, or manipulating props and artefacts as the story unfolds. Aromatic and tactile resources are particularly useful for blind or visually impaired members. Each session offers the opportunity for the development of learning, social and emotional skills in a safe, secure and relaxed environment. The scheme has been so successful that group work has now becomes an integral part of the library’s service. Added: 19 Jan
Nominations are now open for the Crime Writers' Association's (CWA) Dagger in the Library, which is awarded to the author of crime fiction whose work is currently giving the greatest enjoyment to readers. The Dagger is judged on an author's body of work rather than an individual title. Authors are nominated by UK libraries and Readers' Groups and judged by a panel of librarians. Individual branch libraries and library-based reading groups can nominate up to 3 authors. Nominations should be made on the form downloadable from the CWA website and submitted by Sat 11 Apr. The award is sponsored by Random House and worth £1500. Library readers nominating the winning author will be entered into a draw for tickets to the CWA's awards ceremony in London and libraries nominating shortlisted authors will be eligible for up to £300 to spend on books for their library or reading group. Added: 9 Jan
CILIP in Scotland is seeking nominations for the new CILIPS Council chair. There are also four vacancies at committee level: chair of Library and Information Services committee, chair of Membership Services committee, vice chair of Library and Information Services committee and vice chair of Membership Services committee. Nominations should be proposed and seconded by existing Council members and emailed to CILIPS director, Elaine Fulton e: cilips@slainte.org.uk by Mon 26 Jan. Added: 9 Jan
Information Scotland is the journal of CILIPS, which is published six times a year. The online version is usually made available around three weeks after the printed publication.
Oct edition now online.
Read the main features from the last edition of Information Scotland:
Out now: Dec 2008 edition
Information Scotland is published bi-monthly and distributed to over 2300 CILIPS members as well as an international subscription base. Download a copy of our media pack to find out more about advertising opportunities.
The Scottish Government published the Scots Audit report yesterday. The research recognises the 'potential cultural and economic benefits' linked to wider promotion of the language and identifies where provision currently exists, who the providers are, where there are gaps, and what opportunities may exist to expand provision in Scotland. Added: 28 Jan
Cambridge Information Group (CIG), parent company to Bowker and ProQuest, has purchased a minority stake in LibraryThing. The agreement will mean that Bowker has the exclusive worldwide distribution rights of LibraryThing for Libraries (LTFL). LibraryThing is an online service and social network to help readers catalogue their books. The LTFL product enriches library online catalogues with added Web 2.0 functionality. Added: 22 Jan
The Self-Assessment Toolkit for Learning Resource Services in Further Education Colleges in England will be launched in London on Thu 12 Mar. SLIC is currently in the process of developing a new framework for Scottish colleges to replace Resources and Services Supporting Learning. Added: 22 Jan
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is pleased to call for research into impact of the projects funded by the Scottish Government Public Library Quality Improvement Fund. PLQIM is a self evaluation framework specially developed by SLIC for public libraries in Scotland. Two research projects will focus on the impact of individual projects in Stirling and East Dunbartonshire and a larger research project will look at the impact of the 17 projects in the programme to date. Added: 22 Jan
Relax Kids, which featured in the BBC programme Dragon's Den, has produced a range of books and CDs to help children relax and build their confidence, self-esteem and sense of self worth. These might be of interest to people working with young people in care.Added: 22 Jan
The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) has issued a statement on the global economic crisis and its impact on consortia licenses. It is intended to help publishers understand how the current financial crisis affects the worldwide information community and to suggest a range of approaches to benefit both libraries and the service providers. Added: 22 Jan
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow has launched a literary map of Germany, available in English translation. Further cities will be added in coming months. Added: 19 Jan
The interim report on the consultation on Curriculum for Excellence's (CfE) draft outcomes for literacy/English, states "A significant proportion of comments were directed at the neglect of the role of the school library in English Language and Literacy education. It was frequently suggested that the resources of the school library, including the expertise of school librarians, was not considered in the draft experiences and outcome." As a consequence "Inclusion of the role of the school library and school librarian" has been recommended as part of the rewrite. Added: 19 Jan
Jewel & Esk College is currently advertising for a full time Resources Assistant. Further application information available. Added: 15 Jan
The Highland culture and history portal Am Baile has recently been redeveloped. The new site retains the popular features of the service but with a fresh presentation style. Added: 9 Jan
Library software provider DS has changed its trading name to Axiell as of Mon 5 Jan. DS has been part of the Axiell Library Group since April 2008. The name change should not affect existing customers as all DS products will continue to be supported. Added: 9 Jan
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 12-Sep-2011
