A £1 million project to digitise BT’s historical collection of photos and documents has brought 165 years of UK telecoms heritage to the public’s fingertips today, with the launch of an interactive online archive.
BT has teamed up with Coventry University and The National Archives to create a searchable digital resource of almost half a million photographs, reports and items of correspondence preserved by BT since 1846. The project has been funded by Jisc, which provides digital services for UK education and research.
The remarkable collection showcases Britain’s pioneering role in the development of telecommunications and the impact of the technology on society, and will be freely available to the public under a Creative Commons licence to encourage sharing and the use of the material in school curricula and for research.
Users anywhere in the world will be able to log on to www.bt.com/btdigitalarchives and explore 50 terabytes worth of images and documents detailing how Britain laid the foundations for global telecommunications, including the first telephone exchange in 1879 and the Queen making the first automatic long distance telephone call in the fifties.
The project and its new website – which has been built by Coventry University’s Serious Games International in collaboration with BT – aims to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the archive, and to highlight the positive impact that telecommunications has had on social issues such as gender and race equality in the workplace.
The organisations involved expect the archive – which is recognised by UNESCO and Arts Council England as being of international importance – to appeal to a wide range of audiences including teachers, students, researchers and the general public, who for the first time will have easy access to an archive of cultural and technological significance to the UK.
David Hay, head of heritage at BT Group, said:
“BT’s archive documents over a century of the achievements of British telecommunications engineers and scientists in pushing the boundaries of communications technology. I’m constantly fascinated by the photographs and documents in the archive- it’s fantastic that the public can now enjoy it so easily, using our technology and networks”.
Professor Neil Forbes, director of research at Coventry University, said:
“It is a great pleasure to be able to launch the BT digital archives. Teams of experts from across the partners involved have worked together to produce an extraordinarily rich and important online archive. It’s a magnificent achievement.”
Chris Mumby, head of commercial delivery at The National Archives, said:
“Our renowned expertise in creating and preserving digitised records ensures that this important collection is accessible to more people now and in the future.”
Paola Marchionni, programme manager, Jisc said:
“We’re very proud at Jisc to have funded the digitisation of this internationally recognised archive. The strength of this project lies in a partnership that goes beyond the higher education sector and which has made openly available 100,000s of digital resources for just anybody to enjoy. At the same time, the academic team has produced fascinating case studies which show how digitised archival material can be used to explore new avenues both in research and teaching in a wide range of subjects, from design to linguistic and cultural studies.”
Highlights from the BT digital archives include:
via Jisc news
The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
via RSS Feed
The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
via RSS Feed
The aims of this course are:
• To assess progress in implementing the Six Steps programme
• To develop awareness of good practice in working with blind and partially sighted people
• To develop skills in working with visually impaired people
• To begin to plan a programme for Make A Noise In Libraries fortnight
This course is supported by: Share The Vision and RNIB, the society of Chief Librarians, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality group.
It is being organised and delivered by the Network.
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Please note that as the result of a refurbishment project The Queen’s College Library will be closed completely to all readers from Friday 14 June 2013. It is intended that parts of the collection will be open again for consultation towards the end of October 2013 but all manuscripts and books from the Upper Library (an example of an Upper Library shelf mark is 53.C.6) will remain inaccessible to readers until the end of January 2014. Please e-mail library@queens.ox.ac.uk for further information and keep up to date with developments via our website or Facebook and Twitter pages.
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The Future of the Past: Digitisation of Rare and Special Materials
*Booking now closed*
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A free event ! Find out more and book a place here http://libcampeast.wikia.com/wiki/LibCampEast_Wiki
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We will start at the 13th century Turf Tavern at 6.30, moving on later to the Eagle and Child (favourite haunt of Tolkien, C.S.Lewis and the other members of the Inklings). Directions for the two pubs are below:
Turf Tavern https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=OX13SU
Eagle and Child https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.757214,-1.260257
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By the end of the day participants will:
Members who have previously attended a course on mentoring skills may attend the afternoon only (14.00-16.30) to join in the elements relating to the CILIP scheme.
Facilitators: Linda Ferguson (PTEG NW Mentor Support Officer) and Emily Hopkins (CDG NW Candidate Support Officer)
Bookings are now open for this event.
To book use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WiganMentorTraining17October2013
PTEG CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations may be made up to 14 days before the course without charge. Cancellations made within 14 days of a course, and failures to attend, will be charged at the full rate of the booking fee agreed. Dependant on circumstances negotiations may be made to attend a future course without further payment.
Interested in joining PTEG - CILIP's Personnel, Training & Education Group?
Find out more at: http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/personnel/ OR
email Gil Young: gil.young@nhs.net
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The programme:
1.25pm Meet in the foyer of the Baltic and tour of library
2.15pm Refreshments in the Baltic Cafe
2.45pm Walk to Gateshead College
3.00pm Tour of Gateshead College Library
The event is free, though donations to either the Baltic or CDG international projects are welcome. Please note that refreshments are not included.
If you are interested in attending please contact Nicola Kell at nicolakell@hotmail.com to book your place or for further information.
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The programme:
1.25pm Meet in the foyer of the Baltic and tour of library
2.15pm Refreshments in the Baltic Cafe
2.45pm Walk to Gateshead College
3.00pm Tour of Gateshead College Library
The event is free, though donations to either the Baltic or CDG international projects are welcome. Please note that refreshments are not included.
If you are interested in attending please contact Nicola Kell at nicolakell@hotmail.com to book your place or for further information.
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Gary Green is a well -known national speaker on virtual services. He is Technical Librarian working within Surrey County Council's Library Service and a senior member of their Virtual Content Team.
Over the past few years he has created, for the Library Service, a number of virtual offerings using online services outside its corporate website to promote services and resources and engage library users in a way that the traditional web presence doesn't.
For the evening, Gary will focus on the "fiction book map", "Queen Elizabeth timeline" and "literary audio tour of Guildford" detailing how and why these projects were set up and what the library service and its users achieved from them.
This is an exciting opportunity to listen to the work behind the scenes and get answers to any questions you may have. Places are limited so early booking is advised.
This talk is part of a series of talks and visits programmed by CILIP in Surrey and open to all those working or interested in libraries and information services in Surrey and the surrounding areas. CILIP in Surrey is a Sub-branch of the South East Branch of CILIP
Directions to the venue can be found at: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/visitors/
N.b. Parking on campus is free after 5pm
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Rewarding excellence and innovation in libraries. Organised by CILIP’s Publicity and PR group.
Now, perhaps more than ever, it is vital that we spread the good news about what our libraries offer and the real difference they can make. Enter the PPRG Marketing Excellence Awards to compete for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards.
The PPRG Marketing Excellence Awards are free to enter for any library and information service in the UK. Entrants do not need to be PPRG members, as the group seeks to celebrate innovation and achievement from right across the library marketing sector. Deadline for entries is Tuesday 6 August 2013.
Winning entries are recognised for campaigns that involve elements, which may include print, promotional events or displays, e-marketing and use of social media. The judges look at evidence of the campaign’s impact and effectiveness.
Projects must have been promoted to the target group after April 2012. The projects must have been completed and evaluated before the deadline for the awards.
Enter online through the PPRG website
Many library services make small marketing budgets go a long way by using imagination, commitment and creativity. From stock promotions to storytelling projects, new online services to the launch of major new library buildings, the PPRG awards exist to celebrate achievement at whatever scale it may be.
The PPRG Awards are widely acknowledged as a showcase for initiatives that fly the flag for libraries of all sizes and in all sectors. They offer national exposure for your project and help communicate the value of what you’re doing among funders, partners, media, peers, managers and customers.
“The kudos of winning a national award has really helped draw attention to what we’ve been doing in libraries – and not just among our own customers and staff. Our service is held up as an example of good practice across the City Council and we’ve received enquiries about our work from library authorities across the UK.” Past award winner.
Winners will receive their award certificate at a PPRG event, and details of their winning entry will be publicised to the profession by the PPRG. Winners will also be invited to speak at a PPRG event to share their experience with attendees.
For more information about the awards, contact Davina Omar email pprg09@yahoo.com.
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Public libraries in England are suffering from a lack of political leadership, says the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals today, responding to “Envisioning the library of the future”, a research report from Arts Council England.
“Libraries are facing enormous challenges,” said John Dolan Chair of CILIP Council, “including cuts to budgets, staff and opening hours. At the same time they must grasp the opportunities of the digital age such as lending eBooks, and making a real difference to families and communities by supporting their information needs, providing information about health and wellbeing and providing everyone with opportunities for education and learning.”
“The report shows that people are passionate about having a library in their community,” continued John Dolan, “but with the difficult economic realities faced by local authorities and without stronger political leadership supporting a clear national vision it’s going to be a struggle to deliver consistently high-quality and relevant library services in communities across the country. A postcode lottery is not fair or equitable.”
CILIP welcomes the report’s recognition of the importance of a skilled workforce. Professional librarians and trained staff are at the heart of libraries – shaping, managing and delivering services. John Dolan said, “We recognise the need for skills and expertise to evolve as the role of libraries changes. We look forward to working with Arts Council England and other partners to ensure that the whole library workforce get the development, training and support they need to deliver the library of the future.”
-ends-
Press contact:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations, CILIP
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
Notes to editors:
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