AONTAS invites libraries around the country to promote adult learning through the Adult Learners Festival 2010. The Festival runs nationwide next year for the fourth time, from February 22nd to February 26th. Events run during the week by a variety of groups involved in adult learning will contribute to a nationwide campaign designed to promote the value and benefits of learning as an adult.

Libraries are now an essential part of community infrastructure – providing up to date information and social contact for people recently made unemployed, facilitating research opportunities on everything from genealogy to Spanish lessons, as well as stocking the latest bestsellers. AONTAS recognises the huge role that libraries play as learning sites, and wants to gain recognition for that role through the participation of the libraries in next year’s Adult Learners’ Festival.

Last year, over 250 events took place around the country. Events locally and nationally were featured in local, regional and national media. A number of libraries hosted events over the week, with local libraries buzzing with the energy of people learning something new. Some of the libraries organised their monthly bookclubs to coincide with the Festival, while others hosted information mornings in conjunction with their Local VEC or organised taster courses in email and internet for older people.

If your library would like to get involved, AONTAS can help you to promote your events locally. AONTAS will provide you with:

• An Event Bag – all you need to organise your event, from posters and balloons to other goodies;
• A sample press release – which you can use to promote your event in local media;
• A toolkit of Ideas – of events that you can organise – simply by planning your existing calendar around the Festival, you can be part of the Festival. In addition AONTAS can advise you how you might collaborate with other local organisations if you want to organise a bigger event;
• Event promotion through our special Festival website www.adultlearnersfestival.com which will act as a unique information portal for people wanting to attend events.

AONTAS wants the festival to be a useful and relevant to organisations taking part. No event is too big or too small for inclusion. Here are a couple of suggestions as to what could take place in your library during the Festival:

• Encourage meetings of groups that use your facilities (eg bookclubs);
• ‘What’s in your local library’? Showcase the facilities and resources that libraries offer to the general public;
• Host a talk or workshop from another organisation. (AONTAS can help match you with another organisation in your area);
• Promote websites such as www.askaboutireland.com through internet access at your library;
• Organise a membership drive for your library, and promote the benefits of being a member!

You can also nominate your group for an adult learning STAR award. Full details are available from www.adultlearnersfestival.com. Nominations must be received by November 27th 2009. The awards ceremony will take place on February 22nd 2010.

For more ideas, contact AONTAS on 01 406 8220, or visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com.

AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, invites nominations for the 2010 STAR Awards for Adult Learning Projects. The awards which are now running for the fourth year, celebrate teamwork, and recognise the achievements of those involved in adult learning in a variety of settings around the country.
Nominations for the awards initiative can be submitted online through the website or by email and must be submitted to AONTAS by Friday November 27th. A sample nomination form is available online to assist people completing their nominations.
The awards ceremony takes place on Monday February 22 2010 at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham when the winners will be announced. The ceremony marks the official opening of the Adult Learners’ Festival 2010 – a week long event which aims to highlight the benefits of adult learning. This years’ Festival will promote the theme of collaboration between the main organisations responsible for the delivery of training and education for adults. The Festival will also promote a number of themes – including workplace learning, green learning, and community education, as well as highlighting the current policy challenges for the adult learning sector.
For further information contact: Niamh Farren, Communications Officer: 01 406 8220.

The national advertising campaign for the Adult Learners’ Festival (2-6 February) begins this weekend, using both radio and print media. It is important that libraries let AONTAS know as soon as they can about events that they are organising so that they can be added to the Festival website.
In addition to publicising your festival events on the website, in their E-bulletin and local and national press releases, AONTAS will provide all event organisers with an Event in a Bag.

The third annual Adult Learners’ Festival takes place from February 2-6 2009 and this year AONTAS is promoting a different adult learning theme each day during the festival:
Monday, February 2 2009 is Celebrate Learning!
Tuesday, February 3 2009 is Learn in your Community;
Wednesday, February 4 2009 is Never too Old to Learn’
Thursday, February 5 2009 is Learn @ Work;and
Friday, February 6 2009 is Lobby for Learning.
AONTAS are encouraging libraries, organisations and businesses nationwide to hold an event or
activity to mark adult learning on one of the themed days. You do not have to run an event to
mirror the theme but any event during that week will be promoted as Festival activity. AONTAS can provide you with posters and event planning materials to mark an event.
By holding an event for adult learners in your library you can:

• Highlight your Libraries commitment to learning
• Attract new families and increase membership to your library using a creative approach
• Highlight the wealth of resources and services you offer
• Gain media attention
• Strengthen links with your local community
• Tie into national objectives and ensure measurable outcomes for your library
• Offer a day of learning to increase motivation and develop generic skills
• Promote existing training opportunities in the Library, or launch new initiatives
• Signpost the public to further learning opportunitiesAONTAS can offer Libraries throughout Ireland the chance to be part of an innovative and exciting approach to Adult Learning.

AONTAS offer telephone and e-mail support to those organising a Festival activity. We can help you with planning, resources, promotional items and PR support. AONTAS can also provide you with copies of the Information Booklet to distribute to your staff – the booklet contains everything you need to know about returning to learning. We also provide an information referral service that clients can avail of, they can also download, text or phone for a copy of this booklet.

AONTAS, The National Adult Learning Organisation is now inviting nominations for the STAR Awards for adult learning projects that takes place as part of the third annual Adult Learners’ Festival (2nd – 6th February 2009).
The STAR Awards is about showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition – it’s about acknowledging the fantastic work being done by adult learning projects throughout the country. Most of all, it is about celebrating the positive contribution that these projects make to our society, our economy and our local communities.
Fourteen awards in total will be granted to adult learning projects based within the island of Ireland who demonstrate the following criteria:
« A high level of teamwork and partnership amongst participant groups;
« A learner-centred approach to education provision;
« Adult education practice and methodologies;
« Evidence or Outcomes.
Nominated projects can involve initiatives, resources or group work. Projects may come from adult learning organisations, community and voluntary groups, the private sector, government agencies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations. You do not have to be involved in the project you are nominating for a STAR Award. However, we welcome nominations from projects themselves or from people directly involved in the project they are nominating.
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, November 14th at 5pm
For further information on how to nominate visit: www.adultlearnersfestival.com