News > February

Launch of TESCO Bank Summer Read

The Launch of the TESCO Bank Summer Read, which is supported by Scottish Government, will take place at the Aye Write Book Festival on 7th March 2010. An initiative by the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, the judging panel for the shortlist included representatives from The Scottish Library and Information Council, Publishing Scotland, Edinburgh International Book Festival, The Herald, and Glasgow Libraries.

The shortlist of twenty books are all set in Scotland or written by Scottish authors and were published between 1st March 2009 and 31st March 2010.

The titles range from fiction and non-fiction, adults, teens, children's and Gaelic books across different reading tastes, levels and formats so there is sure to be a favourite for everyone!

Added: 8 Feb

Library relocation criticised

A Moray councillor has spoken out about the new look Findochty library, which has recently re-opened after being relocated within the local primary school.

Buckie’s Independent ward councillor Anne McKay described the library as “dismal” and said it was a “warning call” to other authorities considering similar accommodation arrangements, according to the Press and Journal.

The relocation was part of a wider programme within Moray libraries that will see seven service points undergo major redevelopment through European Funding.

However, this funding was not applicable to Findochty Library as Alistair Campbell, Libraries & Museums Manager, explains: “Unlike the other libraries within the integration programme, Findochty Library cannot benefit from European Funding as public access is restricted for security reasons.”

Mr Campbell stressed that Moray Council has been quick to respond to negative feedback: "Given the community's understandable disappointment that the premises did not meet the Library Service’s customer standards, actions were immediately put in place by management to address these shortfalls.

"The other libraries, including a purpose built public/school and healthy living centre at Milnes High, Fochabers, are being developed as libraries, learning centres, community resource points and council and community planning partner service points, with access to the premises throughout the week and with significantly enhanced ICT and learning courses provision.

“The programme of seven European Funded Libraries/learning centres will be completed by October 2010 and will ensure that the current inadequate premises in these communities will be replaced by facilities and services meeting modern needs."

Photo of Findochty harbour by stusmith_uk from flickr. Added: 3 Feb

Academic libraries of the future

A visionary project is being funded as part of a joint initiative to explore future scenarios for academic libraries and information services.

Academic libraries of the future is an 18-month project that aims to help higher education institutions and organisations to develop strategies to ensure the future strength of the sector.

The project partners are the British Library, JISC, Research Information Network (RIN), Research Libraries UK (RLUK) and the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Factors such as the digital revolution, the knowledge economy, students and researchers as ‘consumers’ and the global economic crisis, will all be considered.

A series of workshops will be held during 2010-2011 with the aim of imagining and describing possible futures for libraries. They will bring together a wide range of influential stakeholders, including institutional senior managers, librarians, funded, students, researchers, suppliers, technologists, legal specialists and others.

The first two workshops are taking place in February and March 2010 and will be followed by smaller focused workshops during the summer of 2010.

The consultants welcome input from all stakeholders, if you are interested in finding out more or being involved in the project, please contact Dr Claire Davies, email claire.davies@curtiscartwright.co.uk or telephone 01483 685022. Added: 3 Feb

In brief