The ever-popular bursaries to the LILAC Conference are on offer once more, so if you would like to join a few hundred of your Information Literacy allies in the beautiful surroundings of Swansea’s Bay campus look no further.
2017’s LILAC promises to be as exciting, innovative and collaborative as ever. With 3 enthusing keynotes, 70 enlivening parallel sessions, 2 entertaining social events and the world’s one and only Lagadothon it promises to be an absorbing 3 days.
The bursary scheme is open to those working in sectors which are traditionally under-represented at LILAC and the 4 free places cover those working in the UK in the following sectors:
The conference place includes 3 days attendance of all LILAC sessions and our social events (networking evening and conference dinner). Accommodation and travel expenses up to the value of £250 are also available if required.
To be eligible for a place you must be a librarian or information professional working in the above mentioned sectors in the UK. You will have to show your commitment to information literacy by writing a short personal statement and explaining what benefits you would gain from attending the conference and how you intend to use your conference experience in your work.
The bursary application form can be found here: http://www.lilacconference.com/lilac-2017/bursary
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th November 17:00 (GMT)
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Nick Poole Chief Executive of CILIP, the library and information association, has responded to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, which sets out HM Government's spending and tax plans:
“The Autumn Statement was a missed opportunity to invest in innovation and growth through the library network. To deliver the Chancellor’s aim of increasing the UK’s long-term global competitiveness addressing the country’s literacy and skills crisis is essential. To thrive in an Information Society and Knowledge Economy people, businesses and communities need advanced skills. Yet with a third of firms report concerns with school leavers’ literacy or use of English and the UK ranks at the bottom of teenage literacy league-tables amongst twenty-three developed nations developing basic skills remains a stubborn issue.
"Libraries play a unique role in local communities and economies supporting skills development and lifelong learning. In major cities across the country public libraries support the establishment of new businesses through The British Library’s Business and IP Centre network. Support for innovation in local economies is essential, and as trusted places libraries are uniquely placed to support growth in a way that works for everyone. 49% of the businesses started with the help of the London Business and IP Centre are owned by women and 32% by black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, compared with 20% and 8% across the UK respectively.
"We will continue to campaign and advocate for quality library and information services and the value they provide to communities, businesses, in education and across the economy.”
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Press contact
Mark Taylor Director of External Relations, CILIP
mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
020 7255 0654
07792 635 305
Notes for editors
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014.
The photo, "Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas" by the Foreign and Common Wealth Office has been cropped and is used under Creative Commons Attribution Generic 2.0 license.
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This newsletter, the last for 2016, has reports of the latest conference from our wonderful bursary candidates. Other articles include two pieces from “Reconstructing Nicholas Crouch”, a Wellcome Trust funded project to bring to light the library of a seventeenth-century physician. We also have the report of a visit to the Weston Library from Jeremy Crumplin who works at the Royal Institute of British Architects. The Antiquarian Booksellers Association visited York Minster Library with students from their annual rare books seminar and have written about the experience. There is also the second part of James Carley’s fascinating exploration of the library at Rochester. Enjoy!
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An introduction to the role of librarians and information professionals in supporting Research Data Management (RDM).
Feedback from previous workshops
“Excellent workshop”
“Very useful course. Knowledgeable and friendly trainers. Good networking opportunity”
Who should attend?
CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)
This course supports the following elements of CILIP’s PKSB:
2. Knowledge and Information Management: 2.3 Data Management
4. Research Skills: 4.1 Understanding Research
There is an increasing understanding that data collected during research needs to be managed more carefully. It is in researchers’ own interests to do so, and increasingly funders also mandate data planning. The scale, diversity and fragility of digital data make this challenging. Universities are beginning to develop a support infrastructure that will help improve research data management. Some libraries are already beginning to play a key role in defining and delivering this infrastructure.
The course encompasses the skills require by librarians and information professionals to support all stages of the research process, offering an introduction to Research Data Management (RDM) and the role of librarians and information professionals.
Lecturer
Information School, The University of Sheffield
Andrew Cox is a senior lecturer at the Information School, University of Sheffield and led the RDMRose Project. His research interests include virtual community, social media and library responses to technology. He is the School’s Director of Learning and Teaching. He coordinates Sheffield’s MSc in Digital Library Management. He is a longstanding member of the MmIT committee.
Research Data Manager
Information School, The University of Sheffield
Eddy Verbaan is a Research Associate at the Information School, The University of Sheffield. He has a PhD in history and an MSc in Digital Library Management.
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The publication of our latest white paper on digital ethics yesterday was very much of the minute!
In the wake of discussions about misleading news on Facebook and Google - see for example, BuzzFeed News: 'This Analysis Shows How Fake Election News Stories Outperformed Real News On Facebook', EndGadget's news item 'Study: most students can't spot fake news' or Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that Facebook is fighting fake news - Karen Blakeman has shown that, although we frequently castigate Facebook and Google for publishing or promoting bad news, the fault may not be all theirs. As Karen's blog shows in 'How to Write Totally Misleading Headlines for Social Media' the cause originates with the source article - in the case of her example, with The Independent. Hidden in the metadata of the original article is a headline to be used by social media, and that headline is far more sensational than the paper's own much more accurate headline. And the cause? Probably the need to get as many 'shares' and 'click throughs' as possible.
As David McMenemy notes in his White Paper, " There are fundamental values that information professionals stand to protect, and the reality is that some digital solutions to service delivery may challenge those values" ... Lawrence Lessig argued that code can be used to restrict access (... and in the context of this news item, I would suggest that it can clearly also be used to enhance access). David quotes Spinello who noted that the issue of content control “has emerged as arguably the most contentious moral problem of the nascent Information age.” I imagine that most of us would agree that the publication of misleading headlines simply in order to garner readers - in effect, to make money - is not ethical.
Of some relevance too, is the NISO KBART (Knowledge Bases And Related Tools). A National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Standing Committee manages and supports KBART Recommended Practice (NISO RP-9-2014) - a publication that provides all parties in the information supply chain with straightforward guidance about metadata formatting to ensure the exchange of accurate metadata between content providers and knowledge base developers.
On the same day that UKeiG published its Digital Ethics White Paper, NISO announced that five publishers are now supplying metadata that conforms to phase two of the recommended practice. I wonder how long it will be before news organisations sign up to the KBART standards.
Meanwhile, members can read David's White Paper at: http://www.cilip.org.uk/uk-einformation-group/members-area/member-resources/ukeig-white-papers
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Facet Publishing have announced the release of Engaging with Records and Archives: Histories and theories
Engaging with Records and Archives showcases the myriad ways in which archival ideas and practices are being engaged and developed and offers a selection of original, insightful and imaginative papers by emerging and internationally renowned scholars, taken from the Seventh International Conference on the History of Records and Archives (I-CHORA 7).
The book, edited by Fiorella Foscarini, Heather MacNeil, Bonnie Mak and Gillian Oliver, reveals the richness of archival thinking through compelling examples from a wide variety of views of records, archives and archival functions, spanning diverse regions, communities, disciplinary perspectives and time that will captivate the reader. Examples include the origins of contemporary grassroots archival activism in Poland, the role of women archivists in early 20th century England, the management of records in the Dutch East Indies in the 19th century, the relationship between Western and Indigenous cultures in North America and other modern archival conundrums.
The editors said,
"Today, more than ever before, everyone, not only archives specialists, would benefit from a deeper and better informed engagement with archival objects and practices as they become increasingly engrained in our daily lives, from the pervasiveness of archival materials on the web, to the use of archive-based knowledge in all sciences, to the uncertainty about the preservation of our digital memories that we may all experience sooner or later. The 11 essays selected for inclusion in this book explore different ways of historicizing and theorizing record making, recordkeeping and archiving practices from a range of disciplinary perspectives and through the eyes of creators, custodians and users."
Fiorella Foscarini PhD is an associate professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto. She is Co-editor in Chief of the Records Management Journal and co-author of Records Management and Information Culture (Facet 2014)
Heather MacNeil PhD is a professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto where she teaches courses in the areas of archival theory and practice and the history of record keeping.
Bonnie Mak PhD is an associate professor at the University of Illinois, jointly appointed in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science and the Program in Medieval Studies. She teaches courses in the history and future of the book, reading practices, and knowledge production.
Gillian Oliver PhD is an associate professor at Victoria Univeristy of Wellington. She is the co-author of Records Management and Information Culture (Facet 2014) and Digital Curation, 2nd edition (Facet 2016) and is Co-editor in Chief of the journal Archival Science.
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Press and review copies contact:
James Williams, Marketing Manager, Facet Publishing
Tel: +44 (0)20 7255 0597
Email: james.williams@facetpublishing.co.uk
Notes:
Link to the cover image: http://www.booksonix.co.uk/facetpublishing/9781783301584.jpg
Engaging with Records and Archives: Histories and theories | Nov 2016 | 256pp | paperback: 9781783301584 | £59.95 | hardback: 9781783301591 | £89.95 | eBook: 9781783301607| £59.95
The book is published by Facet Publishing and is available from Bookpoint Ltd | Tel: +44 (0)1235 827702 | Fax: +44 (0)1235 827703 | Email: facet@bookpoint.co.uk | Web: www.facetpublishing.co.uk. | Mailing Address: Mail Order Dept, 39 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4TD. It is available in North America from the American Library Association.
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UKeiG is today pleased to announce the publication of its latest White Paper. Digital Ethics has been prepared by David McMenemy of the University of Strathclyde, and considers the topic within the background of theories on ethics and how they apply within the digital realm. It explores the issues of internet governance, net neutrality, freedom of expression, and privacy and considers how they impact on the work of the information profession and wider society.
UKeiG 2016/02: Digital Ethics
Published in November 2016
Series: UKeiG White Paper: 2016/02
ISBN: 978-1-870254-17-5
The Author
David McMenemy is a Lecturer in Information Science and Course Director for the MSc in Information and Library Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. His research interests include ethical issues in library and information science, the philosophy of information, public library development, and the societal impact of information and information law. He is author or co-author of several books, including Librarianship: an introduction, The Library and Information Professional’s Internet Companion, A Handbook of Ethical Practice, and The Public Library. His forthcoming work, Information Ethics: reflection and practice, will be published by Facet in October 2017. Before working in academia he spent over a decade in public libraries.
Members can find White Papers at: http://www.cilip.org.uk/uk-einformation-group/members-area/member-resources/ukeig-white-papers
All UKeiG White Papers are available as open access publications three months after original publication to members.
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Wendy Morris explains how a joint reading project at Kingston University to make students feel part of their new community has raised the profile of library services and is growing into partnerships in the community and with other universities.
SOMETIMES something comes along with such an unexpected impact that it takes your breath away. It turns out that the shared reading project at Kingston University was one of those things. I had heard of similar schemes on the big college campuses in the US, where every student is sent the same book to read before they enrol. The cynic in me said it could never work here. But you know what? It was sensational. The ‘KU Big Read’ took Kingston by storm. Students loved receiving a book as a gift and it gave them an instant topic of conversation with fellow first years. Academic staff used the book to establish a relationship with their students and for imaginative teaching and formative activities in subjects ranging from nursing to engineering, and support staff based entire teambuilding exercises around its themes. But perhaps most significantly, the university began to reach out into the community to encourage reading together in groups – working to empower local women struggling with literacy and boosting confidence in the homeless. It also stimulated that most rare of occurrences. A regular collaboration between library professionals working in different sectors. Public meets academic. With homemade cake.
The original funding was for a student/staff development project in 2014 – through Kingston’s Student Academic Development Research Associate Scheme (Sadras) scheme, aiming to improve the prospects of those who have not traditionally thrived at university. It was proposed and led by Associate Professor Alison Baverstock – a long-term advocate for the benefits of shared reading and founder of Well Worth Reading (now part of The Reading Agency) and resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback. The book chosen for the pilot year was About a Boy by Nick Hornby – an alumnus of Kingston. Bespoke editions of the book were sent out in July or given on arrival to every undergraduate, postgraduate, home and international student starting with us in the autumn. We encouraged them to discuss the book when they got here, attend author events and join reading groups. It was an instant success. Over 86 per cent of student responders to a follow-up survey said they felt it was an effective initiative for new students. Heart-warmingly, one international student said she had never received a book as a gift before. Many said it helped them feel included and made them more likely to enrol.
Academics were asked to try to embed the book in the early weeks of teaching, providing a common link across all faculties. We didn’t know whether they would buy into this. The themes of the book – adolescence, bullying and depression – lent themselves easily to areas such as social work and education and it was always going to be easy to discuss a novel in languages or journalism. But civil engineering? Really? I kid you not. What also wasn’t predicted was the way support staff threw themselves into the scheme with LRC staff playing a leading role as KU Big Read champions during information literacy sessions, using the book as an example when introducing the catalogue, searching databases or managing references.
A balloon debate followed – chaired enthusiastically by our University Chancellor Bonnie Greer – where representatives from different sectors of the university talked about the relevance of the book to their professional and personal interests. The KU Big Read gave our Welcome Week a real buzz; a joined-up ‘wired’ feeling with heaps of books constantly disappearing.
About a Boy had been chosen quickly so the scheme could be implemented as soon as possible. But this year the research team wanted the selection of the new book to be owned by the whole university community and a request for suggestions from students and staff resulted in over 100 titles. With a nod to Man Booker they produced a shortlist. With a nod to Amazon they adopted an algorithm.
Again developing the project as staff-student research, they discussed what key criteria the chosen book must meet:
They were not looking for a worthy and challenging tome but rather a well-written page-turner with contemporary issues to generate lively discussion. They weighted criteria according to priority and ran the list through some innovative software devised by a data analyst working with them and ta dah! A shortlist of six. LRC management agreed to fund multiple copies of the shortlisted titles into all campus libraries and in a cloak and dagger operation, we got them prepped and loanable five minutes after the VC’s public announcement of the list without anyone finding out beforehand. Everyone had two months to read the titles and feed back via posts on social media and LRC noticeboards. The Selection Committee (a mix of staff and students from all faculties and directorates) then chose the final title – The Humans by Matt Haig. Themes: surviving in an alien environment, depression and adolescent angst. Ideal.
Chances are you think that the LRC would be embedded in a reading project like this right from the get go. And you’d be right. But what we didn’t anticipate was how it would raise the profile of library services right across the institution. LRC involvement in this project began because the research team, on advice from communications colleagues, thought that asking staff to collect a book, rather than simply receive one, would encourage participation. The library was an ideal pick up point and our cross-faculty presence was invaluable, enabling us to network the scheme through subject boards and staff-student committees. The invisible matchmaking role we often play between the movers and shakers became more apparent – particularly to our academics. It never does any harm for library professionals to help out with the odd pan-organisational operation.
Our second year also saw huge spin-offs in terms of collaborative partners. Edinburgh Napier University had seen a conference presentation on the project and asked to participate, joining us at the Selection Committee stage. An institution like our own with large numbers of students not living in residential halls, they valued an inclusive project which would make students feel part of their new community. With our differing demographics, we are now looking forward to analysing the possible effects shared reading has had on student enrolment, engagement and retention. The University Design team created customised copies of The Humans for both institutions, mailed with an inspirational letter from Matt Haig inside – pointing out that they were on the cusp of the biggest adventure of their lives. The see-through package meant that parents of prospective students noticed the book and regularly joined in discussions within the family before their putative scholar jumped ship. So we ended up in pretty frequent contact with our library colleagues in Edinburgh and we were stealing (I mean sharing) ideas about marketing and promulgation quick as a wink.
But one of the most valuable professional collaborations took place much nearer to home. We contacted the borough’s public library service to see how they might help promote ‘big reading’. It transpired that our Royal Borough of Kingston colleagues were based in an office not 500 metres from our own. A brisk walk and we could rendezvous in about five minutes. So we started with a joint library staff seminar looking at shared reading initiatives on both sides. We invited speakers from each service to reflect on best practice and then had small group breakout sessions mixing up the public and academic representatives. We had a lot in common. We were both independently running separate reading groups, but our public service colleagues were much more experienced in rolling out stock and discussion material, so we were tremendously grateful for their expertise and advice. Likewise they were more than happy to be part of the publicity events surrounding The Humans and we soon had KU Big Read talks in place at branch libraries.
Spreading the word out into the community was also tremendously important to us. Throughout 2016 we have worked with local schools, colleges, youth groups and U3A to promote the shared reading experience. But one particular outreach initiative really stands out. Alison Baverstock, by now Project Director, approached a homeless organisation in Kingston – the Joel Community – and asked whether their residents might be interested in taking part. We discovered that on average 30 per cent of their guests experiencing homelessness are still in full-time employment. They just need a roof over their head. They are often well-educated and – along with those without a job at present – may be keen to engage with a sociable activity which involves intellectual input. They invited us to come and talk to them and hand out copies of The Humans. Following a lively discussion of reading preferences, we asked them whether they would like their next session to be led by the author himself. A regular supporter of World Book Night, Matt Haig was already involved in promoting reading for the homeless by handing out free books and he was delighted to be involved at Joel. We began to see how shared reading could actually change lives. How being part of a reading group run by the local university might just give you the confidence to apply for a new job and is likely to be seen by a prospective employer as an asset on your CV. And how the collective energy of a support group has a hugely positive effect.
This is going to run and run. We already have at least two further universities interested in coming on board for 2017 – any other takers? We are also unifying all the reading projects at Kingston to encompass smaller groups already in place using KU Race Equality Charter Mark funding, operating in schools, youth organisations, and places such as Hillcroft College underpinning improvements in women’s literacy. Kingston’s retention rate has improved and a longer-term impact study will look at the influence so far on encouraging student enrolment and engagement, not to mention the potential of another development project on the need for a national reading charity for the homeless.
So let me just finish by saying this. Because I am amongst friends. We all know – don’t we – that some people are inclined to think that there’s not much in librarianship which actually transforms lives. But the KU Big Read? It’s really making a difference. Boom!
This article was originally published in CILIP Update Magazine, November 2016.
There are lots of ways for CILIP members to access the full range of articles published in Update, including
Non-CILIP members can subscribe to the digital version of the magazine or join CILIP to get access to the full range of benefits.
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As the UK faces the most significant post-war skills and literacy crisis Philip Hammond faces calls from CILIP, the library and information association, and a group of cross-party Peers led by The Big Issue founder Lord Bird to provide emergency relief funding for public libraries in England.
Nick Poole, CILIP Chief Executive said “The Chancellor has an opportunity to distance this Government from toxic austerity policies. Unthinking cuts continue to damage frontline services rather than seeing them as an investment in our communities and economy. Not only does austerity threaten community cohesion, it makes little fiscal sense as cuts to library budgets cost the public purse more elsewhere, across employment, educational attainment and healthcare.”
“Delivering economic growth during Brexit means the Chancellor must avoid the of trap of investing in big infrastructure while failing to develop the skilled workforce we need. Improving life chances for everyone needs investment in life-changing library services, which are the building blocks for strong communities and successful local economies.”
Public libraries have been disproportionately affected by austerity policies. Since 2010 over 340 libraries have closed according to BBC data and the number of qualified librarians has reduced by a quarter. Expenditure on public libraries in England fell by £69.1m in three years and the number of books has reduced by 20.5m in five years.
The UK faces a significant literacy and skills crisis. In order to compete in the global economy the UK’s success hinges on a workforce with advanced skills. Yet the country is failing to develop basic literacy skills amongst young people. Over a third of UK firms report concerns with school leavers’ literacy or use of English. The country ranks at the bottom of teenage literacy league-tables amongst twenty-three developed nations. However the UK’s senior citizens have some of the highest literacy levels in the developed world.
In addition to emergency relief funding CILIP has called on HM Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Communities and Local Government, Arts Council England and the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce to provide greater leadership and support for libraries by strengthening national development support for libraries and creating a robust national plan for improving libraries with accepted quality standards and strategic investment.
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Press contacts
Mark Taylor
Director of External Relations, CILIP
mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
020 7255 0654
07792 635 305
Cat Cooper
Communications and Campaigns Manager, CILIP
cat.cooper@cilip.org.uk
020 7255 0653
Notes for editors
1. Peers who have called for emergency relief funding for public libraries in England in the Autumn Statement:
2. CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. Visit www.cilip.org.uk for more information.
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Programme to follow
To be finalised
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On Monday 14 November, the Guardian published details of an open letter to the Department of Education from Children's Laureate Chris Riddell and all eight former children’s laureates, asking them to investigate school library closures.
“I am asking you to act on request and then, with the support of Ofsted, to set out clear standards for library provision that will end this disadvantageous school library lottery that limits many children’s life chances. I am asking you to fund this from the education budget so that every school has a library service it can be proud of: books to borrow and wherever possible a school librarian to help children choose”
..by promoting reading for pleasure, introducing our children to life-changing books and turning them into lifelong readers, school libraries are a vital resource that must be nurtured”. Chris Riddell
Nick Poole CILIP CEO also commented:
“School librarians are a vital part of teaching and learning in the modern world, but figures show that many schools are failing to make adequate provision for a properly staffed and stocked school library, particularly in the state sector,” said Poole. “We need every parent to demand that head teachers and politicians ensure their children can benefit from a great school library and a professional librarian.”
Yesterday, the letter below was sent by a group of Durham school librarians and head teachers endorsing Chris Riddell’s message and has been published here with their permission. CILIP also provided information and comment for the following media articles:
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Demonstrate the value of Knowledge Management in your organisation and implement effective strategies.
Then this practical course - based on extensive, real-life case studies - is a must!
Feedback from previous workshop
“a good introduction to a complicated subject”
“right mix of theoretical and practical”
Who should attend?
CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)
This course supports the following elements of CILIP’s PKSB:
2 Knowledge and Information Management
10. Strategy, Planning and Management
Effectively managed knowledge is one of the greatest resources modern organisations possess – and information professionals, with their expertise and understanding of their organisation’s working needs, are well positioned to take the lead.
The concepts and theories of KM are essential when interacting with senior management and other key stakeholders but doing KM is intensely practical. Knowledge Managers have to find out what will work for their organisation, and discovering new ways to engage work colleagues will be challenging and fun.
Dion Lindsay is a highly-experienced knowledge management (KM) practitioner, trainer and consultant and workshop leader. His experience covers KM in commercial, government and charity environments and he has a wealth of examples and case studies to bring to courses. After a career in information management and librarianship in the civil service, Dion was appointed Knowledge Manager for the Motor Neurone Disease Association before becoming a full-time trainer and consultant in knowledge management and information management.
Dion is a CILIP Onsite Trainer and presents the following programmes
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UKeiG is looking for additional Management Committee members.
Are you a CILIP or a UKeiG member who wants to be active on a committee? Now is your chance to join the management committee of UKeiG, a special interest group of CILIP with over 1300 members.
We promote and advance the effective exploitation and management of electronic information and digital resources, and offer a wide range of resources including training events and our quarterly publication, eLucidate.
UKeiG’s management committee meets four or five times a year and is supported by an administrator and collaborative working platforms. We work in small groups focusing on activities ranging from the creation of great new training and networking events, providing a range of awards and bursaries to information professionals and students, to commissioning content for our website and eNewsletter.
This year in particular we are looking to appoint new committee members for the following roles:
If you would be interested in joining us please contact John Wickenden (email: secretary.ukeig@cilip.org.uk) or fill in the nomination form can be found as a Word doc at
http://www.cilip.org.uk/uk-einformation-group/members-area/governance/ukeig-management-committee-membership
and send it to John as soon as possible.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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The 2016 CILIP Ireland Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held a 12pm on Wednesday 30th November at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. The AGM is open to all CILIP Ireland members and forms part of the CILIP Ireland Open Day programme.
Any current CILIP Ireland member is eligible to stand for election to the Committee. By becoming a Committee member you can actively contribute to and shape the work of CILIP Ireland. Committee membership presents a wealth of opportunities to develop new skills and experience while representing the library and information profession across all sectors in Northern Ireland.
Under the CILIP Ireland Constitution, ratified at the 2015 AGM, one third of the posts on the Committee must be vacated each year and persons elected to fill the posts. Details of the posts to be filled at this year’s AGM are set out in the nomination form below. We would be grateful if you could take the time to complete the attached nomination form and return it to the CILIP Ireland Secretary Joy Conkey (j.conkey@union.ac.uk) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 23rd November 2016. You may nominate yourself for a post. In the event that more than one person is nominated for a post an election will be held at the AGM to select the post holder.
Job descriptions for the role of Chair, Candidate Support Officer and Mentor Support Officer can be found in the Appendix of the CILIP Ireland Constitution. All other roles are newly created. Please contact the Development Officer for further information.
Where possible the CILIP Ireland Committee includes representatives of each of the employment sectors from which CILIP Ireland members are drawn. The Committee would also welcome expressions of interest for Ordinary Members.
The Committee generally meets around six times per year at venues in the greater Belfast area. If you would like further information on the work of the CILIP Ireland Committee please contact the Development Officer Gerardine Blee (Gerardine.blee@cilip.org.uk.)
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A strong public library service is the foundation of a literate and inclusive society and a competitive knowledge economy. Great local libraries are an investment in communities, providing a cost effective way to improve health, support business start-ups, improve literacy and skills, and do all of this in a way that is open to all.
In the past twelve months alone, CILIP staff, Trustees and the Presidential Team have talked to and worked with hundreds of local communities campaigning to save or reduce cuts to their libraries, in places like Swindon, Berkshire, Birmingham, Lambeth and too many others. We have seen the alarm raised by Peers in the House of Lords debate about how the lack of support for libraries is accelerating the UK’s literacy and skills crisis. We have heard from 30,000 UK consumers who believe local library services should be protected for the benefit of everyone in our society. We have seen a national public demonstration supported by the Labour Party. And we have worked with the BBC and others to highlight the scale of public library losses.
CILIP’s My Library By Right campaign holds Local and National Government to account for their statutory duty to promote the improvement of library services for all. As the UK’s lead organisation for the library and information profession, we are pleased to set out our 10 ‘key principles’ for the leadership and development of public library services in England over the next 5 years.
We now call on responsible government departments and the national bodies who are fellow members of the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce to make a public declaration of their commitment to public libraries in England by supporting our principles and working with us to ensure they are reflected in the implementation of the upcoming Ambition for Public Libraries in England.
We challenge our Government to provide targeted emergency relief funding in next week’s Autumn Statement. This need is echoed by Lord John Bird in his address to the House of Lords last month: “Libraries are essential, yet what is happening is that they are being cut. I recommend that Her Majesty’s Government supply some emergency relief money to stop local authorities doing this dastardly deed, this process of philistinising our communities.”
As well as emergency relief funding we need ongoing financial support for Local Authorities. We also need to strengthen national development support for libraries, consider all options and carry out realistic long-term planning when considering transferring library services into community ownership, and have a robust national plan for developing and improving libraries.
If we don’t take urgent, collective action to deliver these key principles we will fail to meet local needs and national priorities.
We will add the details of the national bodies who pledge their commitment to this blog post.
As the UK’s lead organisation for the library and information profession, CILIP is calling on HM Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Local Government Association, the Arts Council England and fellow members of the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce to support our Principles for the Leadership and Development of Public Library Services in England:
Image credit: Act Now by Michael Tapp via Flickr, original resized and cropped (CC BY-NC 2.0)
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The ARLG-LASE is pleased to present a guest lecture by Mr Alan Danskin, Vice-Chair of the CILIP Cataloguing & Indexing Group, & Metadata Standards Officer at the British Library, on the following subject:
“Unlocking the value: the British Library’s metadata strategy”, based on his paper given to the CIG annual conference in September 2016.
Abstract
“Our vision is that by 2020 the BL’s collection metadata assets will be comprehensive, coherent, authoritative and sustainable, enabling their full value to be unlocked for improved content management, greater collaboration & wider use of the collection”.
The lecture will be held on Wednesday December 7th, 2016, in Room M at the UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London,WC1N 1AX, from 6-7.30 pm. The nearest tube station is Russell Square on the Piccadilly line, 5 minutes walk, otherwise a bus from Waterloo station to Russell Square, then 10 minutes walk.
The admission fee will be £3 for ARLG & CILIP members, & £5 for non-members, payable at the door. Registration & social networking will take place from 6-6.30 pm., including refreshments of tea, coffee, & biscuits. The lecture will last from 6.30-7.10 pm, followed by a Q & A session from 7.10-30 pm.
The meeting room holds a maximum of 40 seats, so all bookings should be sent to: David Lass, Hon. Secretary, the ARLG-LASE Committee, at his e-mail address david@davidlass.co.uk by the deadline date of Monday November 28th.
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ARLG Members' Day will take place at CILIP HQ London, on Wednesday 17 May 2017. More details soon. Please put this date in your diary.
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The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled is an international copyright treaty that was adopted on the 27th June 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Insofar as copyright treaties go, this one is relatively straightforward. It contains two key proposals: firstly, it obliges all contracting parties to enshrine a copyright exception that facilitates the making of accessible works into their domestic copyright law and, secondly, it enables these parties to send accessible copies across country borders.
The treaty also outlines other benefits including making explicit that TPMs (Technological Protection Measures) should ‘not prevent beneficiary persons from enjoying the limitations and exceptions provided for in this Treaty.’ This represents a departure from copyright laws in the UK which are typically set out in a way that benefits the rights holder rather than the user. This traditionally puts the onus on the user to raise a complaint with the Secretary of State if a TPM prevents them from benefiting from an exception.
The need for Marrakesh has arisen largely due to the market’s failure to provide books for those with visual impairments. The World Blind Union estimate that only 7% of hard copy books published in rich countries such as the UK are available in accessible formats e.g. braille, audio and large print, with this dropping to 1% in less developed countries.
The Marrakesh Treaty needed twenty ratifications in order to come into force which took nearly three years. Canada became the twentieth nation to ratify the Treaty on the 30 June 2016 and was one of only two developed countries to do so with it coming into force on 30 September 2016.
At the time of writing, twenty five countries had ratified the Marrakesh Treaty but no European Union member states with the region’s 25 million visually impaired people unable to benefit. Three years of political wrangling over whether the EU has competency to ratify the Treaty in its own right instead of the member states, means that the EU had made precious little progress. The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) delivered an opinion on the 8th September 2016 which concluded that the EU does have exclusive competence to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty.
In September this year, the Commission proposed a directive and a regulation, implementing the Marrakesh Treaty into EU law. The directive creates a mandatory exception harmonising member states’ laws for the production of accessible format copies and the regulation will apply directly in all member states, permitting the cross-border exchange of works between EU Member States and third countries which are party to the Treaty. The European Parliament will consider the legislation in the coming months and it is expected to be passed during 2017 and implemented in EU member states 12 months later.
Brexit adds a further complicating factor. EU regulations whose provisions have not been transposed into UK law before ‘Brexit day’ will fall, so it is important that the UK introduces the provisions of the Marrakesh Regulation directly into UK law before then. Ideally the UK will transpose both the directive and regulations at the same time. Post-Brexit the UK will need to ratify the Treaty immediately if the Marrakesh provisions in UK law are to continue to function without a gap.
Additionally, LACA and the UK Visually Impaired Persons community are keen to ensure that core elements of the treaty are protected. Libraries and charities will be key providers of accessible copies under the Treaty. We oppose the proposed onerous and bureaucratic reporting of accessible copies by libraries to rightsholders, nor do we wish to see member states take up the option of introducing remuneration schemes in their laws. Additionally, during the legislation’s passage we do not want to see any amendments requiring libraries to first check for commercially available editions in recipient countries, many of which will be developing countries lacking the digital infrastructure to provide this information in a timely manner.
It is unclear at this time whether the UK will accept the EU has competence to ratify the Treaty, even though Brexit makes the issue a moot point. The UK will probably decide its position after another ruling from the CJEU which is expected in mid-January.
Follow LACA on Twitter @UKLACA – we will post updates on the progress on the Marrakesh Treaty ratification.
IFLA and EIFL are also excellent sources of information: IFLA has a toolkit and a Treaty timeline and EIFL has an excellent guide to the Treaty. The RNIB also has a dedicated page on international campaigns.
You can also contact your MEP to state your support for the Marrakesh Treaty on behalf of the library community.
Image copyright: Stefan Malmesjö
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The British Film Institute (BFI) collects and preserves the nation’s film and television production and promotes appreciation of the medium through its cultural programme of screenings, education events and research services. The library’s research collections of print and electronic resources devoted to the study of the moving image are made freely accessible to all with an interest in the subject. This visit will highlight how the BFI makes use of its data to promote its collections starting with an introduction to the library and ending with a presentation on the Britain on Film project.
Please note that there are a maximum of 20 places available.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Launched yesterday at the euroCRIS meeting in Athens is a report and position statement from Science Europe covering Research Information Systems - used by Research Performing Organisations and Research Funding Organisations to collect and manage data about their own and other activities (monitoring and evaluating research activities and outputs, allocating funding, supporting decision making, etc). The Science Europe Position Statement is published as a contribution to enhancing the interoperability of research information systems by providing a set of common principles to guide their development.
The paper notes:
The Open Science agenda captures the latest trends in terms of the organisation of scientific enterprise and the societal expectations of it. Open Science is an example of how quickly the context, needs and objectives related to research systems can evolve. The pace, direction and nature of such changes are unpredictable.
This calls for research information systems that are capable of effectively supporting this constant and unpredictable change with the intelligence and insights needed to perform strategic, analytical and management functions.
The Science Europe paper invites all research organisations to develop resilient research information systems by adopting the core principles of Flexibility; Openness; FAIRness; and Data Entry Minimisation.
The paper can be found online on the Science Europe web site.
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A press release by The Netherlands Association of Public Libraries (VOB) announces:
10 November 2016
EUROPEAN COURT DECIDES: ‘LENDING RIGHTS FOR E-BOOKS THE SAME AS FOR PAPER BOOKS’
THE HAGUE – On 10 November, the judges of the European Court decided that there is no difference between lending a paper book and lending an e-book. The European Court of Justice (CJEU) in Luxembourg ruled against the Dutch Public Lending Right Office (Stichting Leenrecht) in the case initiated by the Netherlands Association of Public Libraries (VOB).
The judges followed the conclusion of the Advocate-General of June this year.
Updated copyright
VOB is pleased that by means of this ruling, the European Court is helping the public libraries in the complex field of copyright in the digital domain. As a result, little by little the contours of an updated copyright are emerging. This will enable public libraries to continue to perform in the digital world the social role that libraries have in society. They will be able to continue to offer complete, high-quality, accessible and neutral access to information and literature.
Questions referred for a preliminary ruling
In the proceedings, questions were referred to the Court for a preliminary ruling. The issue revolves around the question of whether public libraries should be able to lend e-books online against payment of the statutory lending rights fee and that publishers are therefore not entitled to prohibit the online lending of e-books.
Consequences
The Netherlands Association of Public Libraries will now sit down with interested parties in the near future to further put into practice the lending of e-books based on this ruling.
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The 2016 Lecture was given by Peter Ingwersen, Professor Emeritus at The Royal School of Library and Information Science, University of Copenhagen, at the Geological Society during the afternoon of Monday 31st October. It was preceded by a paper from Stephen Robertson - the first winner of the Award in 1998 - and full details of the programme for the day can be found on the web site.
During the afternoon the 2017 Award winner, Professor Maristella Agosti, was presented with her certificate and trophy. Professor Agosti will be giving next year's annual lecture on Friday October 20th 2017.
The entire event was streamed live and the recording - which covers both papers and the presentation - can be found at the above link to the 2016 Strix Annual Lecture page.
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Michael Morpurgo has received the prestigious Action For Children’s Arts J M Barrie Award for his contribution to children’s literature. The award which champions the arts for children now in its 12th year was presented at a ceremony at the BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London. Storymaker, playwright and performer, Michael Morpurgo’s work reaches across the arts. He is the author of over 140 books, and his novels have been adapted into hugely successful productions for both the stage and screen. The J M Barrie Award is given annually to a children’s arts practitioner whose lifetime’s work has delighted children and will like J M Barrie’s Peter Pan stand the test of time.
Michael Morpurgo said, “J M Barrie, or Peter Pan, tells us: 'The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it’. Storymakers and storytellers like Barrie, and like all the previous winners of this award, have given us the hope and faith children need, we need, to keep flying, have sustained us through dark and troubled times, have banished doubt. To touch the lives of children, to witness their listening and reading silence, is reward enough in itself. This is simply the icing on the cake. Icing is best tasted while still in the mixing bowl, on the end of finger. This is an icing sugar day. Thank you, and thankyou dear Mr Barrie, and Peter. I'll keep flying”. Find out more about Action for Childrens Arts and the JM Barrie Award at http://childrensarts.org.uk/
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The Conference was held on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th September 2016 in The Scarborough Spa, Scarborough. If you missed out on attending the conference or would like to take a walk down memory lane, via the HLG Conference 2016 pages: http://www.cilip.org.uk/health-libraries-group/events-conferences-seminars/hlg-conference-2016
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The next HLG committee meeting takes place on Thursday 15th December at CILIP HQ in London. If you would like to be join in as an observer contact Imrana or Sarah via hlgchair@gmail.com
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