The serials' holdings of two new libraries have been added to the Serials Union CATalogue (SUNCAT), bringing the total number of contributing libraries to 70. Stirling University Library is the eighth Scottish higher education library to be added to SUNCAT, joining Aberdeen University, Dundee University, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University and St. Andrews University. Stirling University is currently contributing over 36,000 serial records.
The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Library joins three other medical libraries on SUNCAT, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal Society of Medicine. The NIMR serials collection covers subjects such as neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and biophysics, structural biology, developmental biology, immunology, parasitology, virology and microbiology. Initially NIMR is contributing around 3,000 serial records. View the full list of contributing libraries.Added: 25 Jun
The Robert Gordon University celebrated 40 years of library and information management education with a special event, hosted by Dr Peter Reid and his staff. The event featured displays of memorabilia from the years and was well attended by alumni. It also incorporated student prizes.
The James Orr Memorial Award went to Lisa Smith, Samuel Generoux received the Douglas Anderson Award, the Michael Head Award was given to Nicholas Henderon-Clark and the Placement Hosts Award was presented to Mary Shelton of West Lothian Library Service. Finally, Professor Dorothy Williams presented the Ian Johnson Alumni Award to Stuart Peers for his work in the health information field. Added: 24 Jun
An innovative Aberdeen library design has received a sustainable award in recognition of its environmental credentials. The University's new library received a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award which recognises the UK's top examples of sustainable design.
Creating a magnificent new library spearheads the next phase of the University's ambitious investment programme to develop the infrastructure to match its academic aspirations. The £57 million project is the largest capital fundraising project undertaken to date by the University. The new library at the University of Aberdeen has been designed to maximise energy efficiency in order to reduce the impact of its construction and operation on the environment and has been assessed as BREEAM Excellent. The BREEAM-rated library building will provide the highest standards in sustainability, disabled access, acoustics, material choices, safety and security. More details Added: 22 Jun
James Rowland of Knightsridge Primary School, Livingstone, scooped the prestigious Young Writer of the Year Award 2009 at a ceremony held in Livingstone on 19 Jun. The event, now in its 35th year, attracted nearly 9000 entries. The judges came from the S6 Advanced Higher English class at James Young High School and were all previous winners of the competition. Students from Grapevine, Texas, one of the twin towns, also decided the top four prizewinners.
The prize was conceived by Irene Brough, the recently retired Area Manager for the Library Services, and her contribution will be marked in future years with a special prize. Other special prizewinners included Ellen Shepherd (Linlithgow Journal and Gazette Award), Gemma Carral (Dorothy Milne Memorial Prize) and Shauneen Kiernan (Glowworm Books and Gifts Award). Added: 22 Jun
Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) has started to survey the Scottish libraries workforce to explore the potential for a Modern Apprenticeship in Librarianship. Scottish Sector Manager, Marian Healey, announced the new survey at this year's Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS).
According to a fact sheet on the lifelong sector currently being prepared by LLUK, almost half (49%) of Scotland's librarians are due to retire over the next ten years. The factsheet also reveals that only nine per cent of the libraries workforce are aged under 35.
The libraries workforce is therefore facing a challenging period and recruitment of well qualified and proficient staff will no doubt be high on the agenda for employers. As the voice for lifelong learning employers on skills matters, Lifelong Learning UK is exploring opening up a new career pathway through the development of Modern Apprenticeships.
If you are interested participating in the survey and would like a questionnaire, please contact Jamie Wakefield, Information Officer, Scotland e: jamiewakefield@lluk.org t: 0870 050 1019. Added: 22 Jun
Anne Cassidy has won the 2009 Angus Book Award for Forget Me Not, a compelling narrative that reveals the hidden secrets and truth behind two abductions. Cassidy was presented with a cash prize and trophy, a miniature replica of the Aberlemno Serpent Stone, at a ceremony in Forfar Academy on 19 May, which was attended by all four shortlisted authors and participating pupils.
After several months of decision making and debate in the eight Angus secondary schools, followed by a secret ballot, the shortlisted authors arrived from all over the UK to visit schools, speak to the participating pupils and take part in the award ceremony.
On receiving the award, Anne Cassidy said: “Winning the Angus Award is very special. It's one of the oldest and the most prestigious local awards which holds children at its heart. For a writer, an award like this gives them the chance to connect with their readership in a very real way.” Added: 11 Jun
The 7th Annual General Meeting of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) was held in the Peebles Hotel Hydro on 3 Jun. The Annual Report and Financial Statement for 2008 were submitted and approved. Under Scottish charities legislation, the Annual Accounts are required by the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator to be presented in a template format. The Director explained that the financial figures were the same but the presentation differed. These were approved.
The AGM also discussed and approved the nominations for Honorary Membership of CILIPS - Alan Hasson, President 2008 and Head of Community Services, Scottish Borders Council, for his work to support the development of library and information services; Michael Roberts, Strathclyde University for representing UR&R(S) on CILIPS Council and for his work in developing higher education library services; Mairi Anderson, Napier University for support for the East of Scotland Branch of CILIPS ; and Marion McLarty, formerly Quality Improvement Manager, Educational Services, North Ayrshire Council for her work in developing school and public library services. Added: 11 Jun
Pupils from secondary schools across Renfrewshire came together on Tue 2 June at Paisley Town Hall to see My Sword Hand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick, win the fourth Renfrewshire Teenage Book Award. Unfortunately, due to illness, Marcus was unable to attend. However, as the book received top votes from Gryffe High, the award was presented to Christine Kerr, school librarian.
Pupils were enthralled and entertained as Catherine Forde, short listed for Tug of War, spoke very eloquently about her book and the inspiration behind it. In the morning, Catherine also visited Paisley Grammar and talked to a group of S3 pupils about the inspiration behind her books – this also included showing the class the skin from her sons’ pet snake!
The pupils themselves hosted the event.The winner was announced by Mrs Jacqueline Bell, who recently retired as school librarian, from St Benedict’s. The short listed titles were: Catherine Forde Tug of War, Michael Lawrence Juby’s Rook, Marcus Sedgwick My Sword Hand is Singing, Jenny Valentine Finding Violet Park and Benjamin Zephaniah Teacher’s Dead. Added: 11 Jun
A new structure for the CILIPS Council was debated and agreed. The changes mean that the Council will focus on member engagement and the old sectoral committees have been disestablished in favour of all-Council discussions and Task and Finish Groups. A series of policy meetings will be offered to Branches so that more members have the opportunity to contribute to policy development, and web 2.0 services continue to be promoted and developed.
CILIPS will consider a new printed communications plan and further use of web 2.0 to improve member engagement over the summer. If you have views on the journal and other printed communications, please use the Twitter or Blog. Council members debated the National Youth Information Strategy and feedback will be published shortly. Proposals by CILIIP to move to compulsory revalidation were discussed and it was agreed to hold an event to explore the the impact of this further. Added: 11 Jun
The annual conference took place first week in June, all presentations given over the 3 days at Peebles are available through the Scottish Libraries slideshare, the tag 'cilips09' has been used for all.
We would like to hear from all delegates, let us know your thoughts on this year's conference by filling out a small feedback form
Added: 09 JunInformation 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.
Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) has created its own iTunes U channel focussed on staff development and Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). The videos are aimed at teachers and other education professionals, and focus on developing and supporting 3-18 education. They share the latest research and good practice in learning and teaching. Added: 25 Jun
CILIP has received a bequest from the late Mrs Wendy Drewett, formerly Head of Children’s Services, Buckinghamshire. The conditions of the bequest state that it should be used "to keep children’s librarianship alive by funding research and supporting students or other such activities that support children’s librarianship”. A steering group was set up by CILIP Council to administer the Bequest and bids should be submitted using the application form. Added: 24 Jun
The latest Share the Vision (STV) news bulletin has now been published. STV is a partnership of UK libraries and library organisations that work together to improve the accessibility of library services for blind and partially sighted people. Added: 22 Jun
The Working Group will be meeting at the end of June to finalise the self-evaluation tool for school libraries, which is being supported by HMIe. Examples of best practice in supporting Curriculum for Excellence are still welcome and these should be sent to r.arthur@slainte.org.uk. Timelines for publication are currently being finalised. Added: 22 Jun
Murder! And the vegetarian librarian is framed. An Australian librarian, turned author and stand-up comedian, is bringing a witty comic mystery to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She’s not just quiet...she’s dead by Tracy Crisp previews at The Space on the Mile @ Jury’s Inn 6-8 Aug and then runs from 10-22 Aug (excluding Sundays). For more information, contact the venue box office t: 0845 508 8387. Added: 22 Jun
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) has published a paper outlining libraries' contribution to supporting Scottish writers and publishing. The report outlines initiatives, past and present, that have been designed by SLIC and CILIP in Scotland (CILIPS) to promote and support Scottish writing. Added: 15 Jun
West Lothian Library Services have retained the Customer Service Excellence (Chartermark) award for another year. Many examples of good practice were identified thanks to the ongoing efforts from all staff. Added: 15 Jun
Louise Wright, University of Strathclyde and Kondwani Wella, the Robert Gordon University, were presented with the CILIPS bronze medal, awarded for outstanding work in the course of the studies. The presentation took place at the CILIPS Annual Conference and Kondwani's medal was accepted on his behalf by Peter Reid from RGU. Kondwani, who lives in Malawi will be returning to undertake a PhD at RGU later in the year. Added: 11 Jun
The new Larbert Library's meeting room was used as a polling station in the European Elections the on 4 Jun. This is the first election since the library officially opened earlier this year. Libraries Manager, Irene McIntyre, said she was unaware of any other libraries in use as polling stations and was delighted to be able to provide the facilities for the local electorate. Added: 11 Jun
Winners of the prize draw at CILIPS Annual Conference were Phillipa Barr, Alloa Academy, Dawn Erentz, St Andrew’s Sec. School, Glasgow, Karen Strutt, Argyll & Bute Libraries and Gill Swales, Scottish Borders Libraries.Added: 08 Jun
East Dunbartonshire Council is hosting its first Readers' Day on Sat 20 Jun as part as the Reading Roots promotion. Come along and meet authors and other readers, swap books and take part in quizzes and competitions. For more information contact David Kenvyn. Added: 6 May
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 Penny Robertson. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 UK: Scotland License 25-Jun-2009
