abevan December 15th, 2009
The Public Libraries Section of IFLA, in collaboration with The Regional Library Scania, Malmö City Library and The Swedish Arts Council, are organizing a satellite meeting in Malmo, Sweden August 7 – 10, 2010. The event will precede the annual World Library and Information Congress: 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly in Gothenburg 10-15 August.
The objective of Building strong communities: unleashing the potential of libraries to build community capacity, engagement and identity is to acknowledge and celebrate librarians’ expertise by sharing ideas, broadening awareness, and visiting some best practice examples, and above all to inspire.
Subject of Papers:
- The library’s impact and social role in the community
- Best innovative practice from public libraries according to the description of theme and background
- Political processes leading to successful libraries
For information on making submissions, please Continue Reading »
Tags: Conferences, IFLA, Public Libraries
abevan November 16th, 2009
The UK’s Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has sponsored a step-by-step guide to staging live music events for young people in public libraries.
The Get It Loud In Libraries (GILIL) toolkit, was produced by Lancashire Libraries. The aim has been to encourage young people into libraries who may have lost the library habit, or never had it to begin with and re-set their perceptions about what libraries do and what they stand for.
Stewart Parsons, author of the toolkit, said: “Get It Loud In Libraries offers young people a route back into libraries that is naturally cool and identifiable but also one that entertains, allows a clear undertow of youth involvement and opportunity, and achieves positive publicity for libraries as a modern brand.”
It is claimed that, over the last four years, GILIL has welcomed over 3,500 new users through library doors by featuring some of the best new music talent, including recent Mercury Music Prize winner Speech Debelle, Florence and the Machine, Adele, the Wombats and Mr. Hudson.
The toolkit covers every aspect of staging a show from identifying a venue and finding artists, to getting volunteers involved, marketing and health and safety.
Tags: Public Libraries
admin October 14th, 2009
The Programme for 2009 Public Libraries’ Section conference is now online at www.libraryassociation.ie.
The conference takes place from 5th to 6th November at the Marriott Hotel, Ashbourne, County Meath.
On the theme ‘Thinking outside the box… Collaboration and Co-operation in Public Libraries’, the conference is a great opportunity for library staff to explore ways of delivering great services during difficult times.
As public libraries face increased demand and fewer resources, collaboration and partnership become even more important for the delivery of quality services.
This year’s conference once again features a Quickfire session, in which library services are given a 15 minute slot to talk about a project or initiative. If you have a project involving collaboration or co-operation, why not share it with the public library community? Email Brendan Teeling if you’d like to participate.
Tags: Events, Public Libraries
abevan October 7th, 2009
CILIP has launched new Guidelines which it hopes will support public library services in England as they face increasing financial pressures.
Announced at the annual Public Library Authorities Conference in Bristol, the Guidelines state that a good library should be accessible with opening hours that suit local needs; well-resourced with materials that are regularly refreshed; and employ knowledgeable staff. They should also reach out to local communities, especially those who are unable or unwilling to visit, and provide programmes of activities and events to appeal to the local population.
Speaking at the conference, Bob McKee, CILIP’s Chief Executive, remarked:
I’ve been involved in four government reviews of public library service, two during the Thatcher/Major years and two during the Blair/Brown years and none of them have managed to produce a clear and comprehensive statement of what is expected of public library provision.
Read more on the CILIP website.
Tags: CILIP, Public Libraries, UK
abevan June 22nd, 2009
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna has been awarded a new four year contract to operate EU Direct centres in seven library authorities across Ireland, including a dedicated Irish language centre in Carraroe, Co. Galway.
This new phase of Europe Direct in Ireland was launched by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D., at Dundalk Library on June 19.
The Minister said, “It is a great compliment to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, and indeed the public library service in general”, that this contract had been awarded.
He added that, “This initiative is about raising awareness in a real and tangible way of how the European Union affects the lives of its citizens. These additional centres will increase the general level of understanding of EU priorities and activities among the general public in Ireland.”
People who need in depth information about Europe, can get help from regional Europe Direct Information Centres (or ‘relays’) can help, where they will find trained staff, a wide range of documentation and multimedia information, and facilities to put them in touch with full-time help desks manned by English-speaking experts.
The information centres also provide free phone access to a live Q&A service, free PC access to email questions and browse EU online services and expertly trained staff ready to discuss your questions about Europe and what it does.
Tags: An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, Europe Direct, News & Events, Public Libraries