The young people's section of St Ninians Community Library in Stirling has undergone a dramatic make-over. The transformation was undertaken by graphic artist Chris Mitchell, who is also a member of Stirling Library Service staff. The existing children's section has become an enchanted forest inhabited by cartoon creations, while a dedicated teenage area has been created in what was previously a story room. Library and Archives Manager, Robert Ruthven, said: "We have had completely positive feedback from adults and children alike, all of whom feel that the library is more welcoming to young people as a result". Chris Mitchell has published three books of The Realm Legends, a fantasy novel series aimed at younger readers. Added: 14 Jul
The Knowledge Services Group of NHS Education for Scotland has produced an Information Literacy (IL) Framework to support the development of IL among all partners in the patient journey, including healthcare staff, patients and carers. The Framework is intended to support the development of improved, confident information-use among the workforce and general population of Scotland, as envisioned by the Scottish Government in its action plan Better health, Better care. The framework is currently available in draft format and interested professionals are invited to share their impressions of the document via an online survey and discussion forum. The framework was produced in accordance with the draft coordinate national knowledge strategy Enabling Partnerships : Sharing knowledge to improve patient care in NHS Scotland. Added: 14 Jul
A social enterprise dealing in surplus book stock has been launched in the UK. Better World Books (BWB) process excess stock from libraries in support of improving literacy in the UK and around the world. Books are collected free of charge and are then sold online to make money for both the donating library and literacy charities. BWB started in the USA in 2003 and now work with over 900 libraries in North America. At present, the BWB service is open to all Scottish libraries with large volumes of surplus books (1000 or more). Smaller volumes can only be collected from libraries in the Glasgow or Edinburgh areas at present but this service will be extended more widely in the coming months. For more information contact Rachael Smith e: rsmith@betterworldbooks.com or t: 0131 243 2632. Added: 14 Jul
The Specimens of Statistical Reports pamphlet is one of two new resources now available online through the Statistical Accounts for Scotland (SAS) service. Sir John Sinclair MP, who instigated the first SAS, published the Specimens of Statistical Reports in 1793. Only a few of the original pamphlets are still in existence. An index to the 1801 census return for the Parish of Stow has also been added to the service. The two SAS additions provide important source material for historians across a critical 40-50 year period during agricultural and industrial revolutions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Accounts describe topics such as topography, climate, population, agriculture, schools and morals at an individual parish level. Added: 8 Jul
The Glasgow Women's Library (GWL) has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to create the first Women's Archive in Scotland. The £410,000 grant will assist in the construction of a dedicated archive space within the Mitchell Library and will also fund a full-time archivist for three years. The GWL archive consists of 30,000 documents and publications, including family planning leaflets and suffragette photos. The HLF award is the first grant the library has received with respect to its relocation to the Mitchell and a further £700,000 will be required to complete the refit. The move is not expected to be completed until mid-2010, with the GWL remaining in temporary accommodation at 81 Parnie Street until then. Added: 4 Jul
The Research Information Network (RIN) has published a report on the information literacy (IL) skills of researchers in higher education. Mind the Skills Gap focuses on the role of librarians and information specialists in providing training and presents recommendations for improving IL standards. The report is available in PDF format and is supported by case studies, details of focus group processes and a full literature review. RIN was set up in 2005 to undertake evidence-based research into information and data issues that relate to professional researchers. Added: 1 Jul
SIBMAS, the international association for libraries and museums of the performing arts, will this year hold their biennial conference in Glasgow. The event will take place between Mon 25 - Fri 29 Aug at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (RSAMD). The conference provides an opportunity for curators, archivists, librarians and others working with performing arts material to get together to exchange information about current projects and new innovations. The conference theme will be Capturing the essence of performance: the challenges of intangible heritage. The registration form and conference highlights are now available. Added: 1 Jul
The National Library of Scotland's (NLS) summer exhibition was officially opened by Linda Fabiani MSP on Thu 26 Jun. Imprentit: 500 years of the Scottish printed word features books, magazines, pamphlets and other printed material spanning five centuries. Highlights include the first bible printed in Scotland, the first book written by a woman, the first newspapers and even the first ever Beezer annual. The exhibition is part of the 500 years of printing in Scotland celebration and will be supported by a programme of free events, including talks, family activities and learning workshops. The exhibition will be open to the public until Sun 12 Oct. Added: 1 Jul
Nominations are now open for the Silver Surfer of 2008. To be eligible for the award, nominees must demonstrate how they've used their knowledge of the Internet and email to connect to others. Nominees should also be aged over 50 and resident in the UK. The overall winner will receive a high-spec laptop and two runners-up receive £250 of Amazon vouchers. Prizes will be awarded on Thu 23 Oct at the Houses of Parliament by MP Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions. Entrants may nominate themselves or be put forward by others using the nomination form. The closing date for entries is Thu 31 Jul. The award is co-coordinated by Digital Unite, who specialise in computer and Internet training for the over 50s. Image of past winner, Jim Tuckwell, appears courtesy of Testway Housing. Added: 1 Jul
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.
April edition now online.
Read the main features from the last edition of Information Scotland:
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 European DDC Users Group (EDUG) has launched a new website featuring details of meetings and documents as well as a news round-up. The new website also contains individual sections for the four EDUG working groups which specialising in law, education, archaeology and technical issues. EDUG was established in 2007 and works in partnership with OCLC (Online Computer Library Centre) to foster cooperation in the development of DDC in Europe. Added: 16 Jul
A US study claims that the need to preserve electronic journals is a major concern for library directors. According to the Information World Review, the survey found that almost three-quarters of the 186 university and college directors consulted considered it unacceptable to lose access to e-journals. The majority of respondents (73%) also believed their own institutions had a responsibility to preserve e-journals. Added: 16 Jul
JISC infoNet recently conducted a survey of further and higher education institutions to identify their most pressing strategic issues and their underlying causes. The survey results suggest that the most significant challenge faced by institutions is 'organisational infrastructure', encompassing the quality and efficiency of processes, lack of communication and collaboration and problems with the IT infrastructure. The survey is part of a two-year JISC-funded Strategy Planning & Implementation initiative. Full details of the results are available on the JISC infoNet website. Added: 8 Jul
Bookings are now being accepted for Web quests, Treasure Hunts, Hotlists and Subject Samplers. The workshop will take place in Edinburgh on Fri 12 Sep. The CILIPS Autumn CPD programme also features Time management (19 Sep), Communicating with confidence (7 Oct) Setting service targets and standards (8 Oct) and Marc and metadata for beginners (Nov, date to be confirmed). Event programmes and further booking details will soon be added to SLAINTE events. Added: 7 Jul
Edinburgh Libraries & Information Services Agency (ELISA) has launched a blog to track developments with the 2008 festival. The blog aims to provide up to date information and to encourage participation from members. Added: 1 Jul
The presentations from the International Society for Knowledge Organisation (ISKO) UK event Agenda for Information Retrieval(IR) are now available online. The event took place in London on Thu 26 Jun and the key speakers were Brian Vickery, Stephen Robertson and Ian Rowlands. The slideshows are available as PDF files and the audio tracks as MP3s. Added: 1 Jul
The latest issue of TACIT, the newsletter of Edinburgh Libraries & Information Services Agency (ELISA) is now available. The current edition features an extended article on the electronic information services freely available in Edinburgh's public libraries, as well as an update on Edinburgh's Festival of Libraries. Added: 1 Jul
The latest newsletter from JISC Legal has now been published, featuring a round-up of ICT related legal developments which took place during June. The current edition features details of new guidelines on copyright in academic research and staff policy concerns relating to Web 2.0. JISC Legal works to ensure that the adoption and use of new technologies in further and higher education is not hindered by legal issues. Added: 1 Jul
Scottish ministers are considering extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, according to the BBC. Possible additions to the act could see more organisations covered by its provisions. This could include private finance projects and local authority bodies. Minister for Parliamentary Business, Bruce Crawford, is due to discuss freedom of information issues at a UK wide level. A formal consultation would then take place before the act could be amended. Added: 1 Jul
The American Library Association (ALA) has been awarded a $1 million grant to study the impact of gaming on literacy skills. As part of the Gaming for Learning project, the ALA will also build a model for library gaming that can be deployed nationally. The Librarians' Guide to Gaming will be developed in collaboration with leading gaming experts in order to create a comprehensive online literacy and gaming toolbox. The funding will be provided by the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of broadband provider Verizon Communications. Added: 1 Jul
1908-2008: 100 years of professional librarianship in Scotland
CILIP in Scotland: a charity registered in Scotland SC038532
Scottish Charity No. SC17886
© SLIC/CILIPS 2008.
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Last updated:
24-Jul-2008
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