A nationally co-ordinated approach to technology in education allows learners and researchers to adopt new technologies faster, according to an international JISC study. Led by JISC in the UK and SURF in the Netherlands, co-ordinated national initiatives and central funding structure in the two countries have meant that the benefits of Web 2.0 are felt right across their higher education and research communities.
The conclusions come as part of an observational study, Global Activity in Higher Education, which provides a snapshot of e-learning and e-infrastructure activities that support the higher education and research communities in ten countries.
Various reviews also identify the UK as among the leaders in areas such as e-infrastructure, digitisation and data repositories along with countries such as Germany and the United States. The introduction of the UK Access Management Federation in 2008 also means that the UK has a nationally-coordinated identity and access management system in place across the education and research sectors. Added: 21 Sep
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) has awarded GBP 450,000 to public library initiatives in the latest batch of Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM) funding from the Scottish Government. In addition to eight successful local authority bids, the funding also went to support several national projects, including the development of the AskScotland virtual reference service.
Awards are linked to application of the PLQIM self-evaluation framework. The successful authorities are: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; Dumfries and Galloway; East Lothian; Midlothian; Moray; North Ayrshire; Orkney and Shetland. Full details of the awards and projects are available on the PLQIM webpages.
PLQIM is a quality assurance tool specially developed by SLIC for public libraries in Scotland and support by Scottish Government funding. It recognises the specific requirements of the public library service and its role in supporting wider policies, such as health, regeneration and public service reform. Added: 9 Sep
Intute is expecting a reduction in funding and consequently is planning a significant change to the service. Following the JISC review of spending priorities for the academic year 2010-11, the decision was made to significantly reduce the current funding for Intute, in the context of an expectation that JISC will be required to find savings across all its programmes. JISC will continue to support some aspects of Intute, especially its Internet research skills activities, but has recommended that the organisation is refocused.
Intute is acutely aware of the impact of any reduction of service on its users and especially those organisations which integrate it into their websites, library catalogues and virtual learning environments. They are currently gathering information about the impact of funding reduction and welcome your feedback on what you value most about the service and how you use it in your work. To contribute to this process, complete the short online survey. The closing date for responses is Wed 9 Sep. Added: 3 Sep
Inverclyde Libraries have achieved the prestigious Investors in People Award for reaching the required national standard for the training and development of staff in order to achieve business goals. Additionally, Inverclyde Libraries achieved a Bronze award for further achievement, presented to organisations who meet the standard plus 26 additional evidence requirements.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Convener of Inverclyde Council's Regeneration Committee said: "This award reflects several years of hard work putting in place strategies and programmes to ensure that all library staff are trained to a high standard. It ensures that what staff can do and are motivated to do matches the goals and priorities of the library service and the wider aims and outcomes of Inverclyde Council."
He added: "Our libraries are at the heart of our community in Inverclyde and it is very satisfying to know the quality of services on offer and the standards set by staff are so high. They are to be congratulated for all of their hard work."
The Investors in People Standard was developed to provide a national framework for improving business performance and competitiveness. Added: 1 Sep
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) has been providing evidence for the Scottish Government's Literature Working Group. One of the key challenges from this Working Group has been to identify how much Scottish material is being purchased by Scottish public libraries. SLIC Director, Elaine Fulton, said: "Collating this information is complex but it is a significant part of the process. It is also very important that we establish how well used this material is in our public libraries."
SLIC is also in discussion with Scotland Excel about the development of a book procurement contract for all public libraries, where similar issues have emerged in particular in relation to supplier selection. More information on the issues surrounding this process can be found in the report How to get the most from your investment in book stock (pdf). The Literature Working Group will report to the Minister in November. Added: 1 Sep
Film fans have the chance to meet Emmy nominated casting director Nancy Bishop at Stirling's Tolbooth on Thu 3 Sep at 7.30pm, in an event organised by Stirling Council Libraries. Nancy will be talking about her work and her new book Secrets from the Casting Couch, which will be available to buy on the night.
Nancy's casting credits include Prince Caspian, Hellboy, The Bourne Supremacy, Wanted, GI Joe, Hannibal Rising, Van Helsing and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Most recently she has worked with George "Star Wars" Lucas on his next film Red Tails, the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Afro-American combat squadron in the American Air Force.
Tickets for the event are priced GBP 8.00 (GBP 6.00 concession) and are available from the Tolbooth Box Office on 01786 274000. For more information, contact Steve Dolman on 01786 432388. Added: 1 Sep
Inverclyde Libraries have recently taken part in an innovative study in partnership with the Scottish Information Literacy Project (SILP). John Crawford and Christine Irving from the Glasgow Caledonian University based project recently visited the library and spoke to a number of employability focused learners who had taken part in the Fairer Scotland funded First Steps IT for Health, Finance and Employability.
The study assessed what skills the learners had picked up and how this affected their information literacy skills. Information Literacy has been an important focus in the academic library sector for some time and Inverclyde Libraries were delighted to develop this work in public libraries. A report will be produced due course. Added: 1 Sep
Browse the timeline featuring the latest updates to our networking sites, including our blog and twitter updates as well as our photos shared on flickr.
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.
Feb edition now online.
Read the main features from the last edition of Information Scotland:
Coming soon: April 2009 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.
Perth & Kinross Council is looking for a creative and resourceful manager who can “Inspire reading and learning”. The community libraries manager will lead high quality reading, information and learning resource services and support the delivery of Customer First services, with a passionate commitment to excellent customer service. For further information, please contact John Harding on 01738 476270 or Rhona Arthur on 01738 477001 or visit https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/. Added: 30 Sep
Dr Bill Harvey has taken over as Director of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland from 1 Sep following the retirement of Norman Sharp OBE. Dr Harvey was formerly Deputy Director for Learning and Teaching at the Scottish Funding Council, a post he held from 1998 and in which he was responsible for policy relating to quality assurance and enhancement in Scottish higher and further education. Added: 21 Sep
A new organisation called JISC Advance was launched on Wed 9 Sep which will bring together eight established JISC services as part of JISC’s ongoing strategy to deliver world-class support to colleges and universities. The organisation will be led by new managing director Guy Lambert and will co-ordinate JISC Digital Media, JISC infoNet, JISC Legal, JISCMail, JISC Netskills, JISC Procureweb, JISC TechDis and the JISC Regional Support Centre UK by centralising funding and business development opportunities. Added: 9 Sep
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has appointed Dr John Kemp to the position of Director of Strategic Development. John previously held the post of Deputy Director of Strategic Development and has been with the Scottish Funding Council since 2000. Added: 3 Sep
The latest edition of TACIT, the e-newsletter of the Edinburgh Library and Information Services Agency (ELISA), is now online. It features an account of the Advocates Library, which was founded in 1689. Added: 1 Sep
Highland Council is seeking to recruit a Senior Librarian (Information Co-ordinator) at the Library Support Unit, Inverness (salary: 24,206 - 27,318). Find out more from Joyce Watson, tel 01463 251250 or apply online. Closing date Fri 11 Sep. Added: 1 Sep
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
