CILIP are delighted to announce that that the Book History and Material Culture MSc from the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for the History of the Book has received CILIP accreditation.

The taught Master of Science was granted formal accreditation by CILIP following the institution’s assessment visit on 29th April.  The programme brings together theory and practice in new and innovative ways and is distinctive for its integration of traditional bibliography, training in special collections, and advanced theoretical approaches.

Helen Berry, CILIP’s Development Officer for Learning Providers said:

“With our first accredited programme in this field, the University of Edinburgh is a valuable addition to a growing global network of learning providers that offer quality assurance for those pursuing a career in the wide ranging library, information and knowledge profession.”

Independent assessor, Ann Hindson, particularly praised the strength of scholarship and intellectual endeavour, the relevance to professional practice, the variety of practical opportunities and the positive feedback from current students who see the course as contemporary and directly relevant to their careers.

Dr. Tom Mole (Director of the Centre for the History of the Book and Reader in English Literature) and Dr. Joseph Marshall (Head of Special Collections and Centre for Research Collections) expressed delight at the outcome.

The MSc in Book History and Material Culture is a taught postgraduate degree (taken over one year full-time or two years part-time). Students complete a range of core and option courses covering debates in book history, research methods, and essential skills in library and information management, before completing a 15,000-word dissertation.  Optional work placements are available in a range of libraries and other cultural institutions around the city.

CILIP’s learning provider accreditation programme is designed to help students choose academic information courses that cover essential skills and knowledge, and have been rigorously assessed by CILIP.  Accredited programmes are assessed using the CILIP PKSB which identifies the core knowledge and skills of a very broad profession.

-Ends-

Everyday people rely on Google for answers to their most personal, important and most trivial questions. How do you know if the information is reliable? A good place to start is with an information expert. We ask Copyright and Digital Literacy Advisor Dr Jane Secker to investigate “Do games improve learning?”

I’ve been reflecting a lot on whether games improve learning, partly in the run up to LILAC 2016, where I’d rashly agreed to take part in the games competition Lagadothan, organized for the first time by the conference committee. 

My interest in games and learning goes back several years but really started in earnest when I worked with Chris Morrison to help develop a game to teach librarians about copyright and the new exceptions to UK copyright law in 2014. It was a card game, you might have heard of it? You might have played Copyright the Card Game? 

It's been downloaded over 2500 times, and the general consensus seems to be it’s a fun and engaging way to learn about copyright. But has it led to people retaining more knowledge about copyright and can they transform what they have learnt into practice? These are important questions to consider on the real value of games in learning. 

There has been a lot of interest in the last few years in games-based learning in two of my fields of professional interest: learning technology and information literacy. I started off thinking that games were all about livening up your teaching, and finding a way of engaging students in what could otherwise be a rather dry subject. However, following the keynote at this year’s LILAC from Alex Moseley and Nic Whitton, I felt the time had come to do some serious research into whether games improve learning and why that might be. 

I’d been intrigued to hear about the idea of a ‘magic circle’ where new rules can apply and failure is acceptable. I’ve also learnt that designing good educational games is really hard work, and takes a lot of time and effort. So are the rewards really worth it? I decided to turn my attention to what Google can find for us on this topic:

Lesson 1: think hard about search keywords

First of all my simple Google search reveals 179 million results, with no clear reasoning behind what has been prioritized – it’s that famous Google algorithm at play. The top result for me (I was signed into Google, so what I find may not be the same as what you find), is in fact an article from the Telegraph from November 2014. 

The first four results you can see have all focused on video-games and learning (I didn’t put this into the search box at all). I was interested in games more broadly, not just video-games, but Google seems to have picked out articles with this focus for me. 

I always start by encouraging anyone who is searching for information to think hard about keywords. If I really want to know if games improve learning, I know there will be far more precise language that I should be using (‘cognition’ instead of ‘learning’, what about ‘play’ as well as ‘games’?) and there are undoubtedly some phrases I would want to use such as ‘games-based learning.’ 

So the first information literacy lesson I take from this exercise, is to think hard about what makes an effective search, but also to question why certain sources have been prioritized, is Google’s algorithm trying to help you or promote specific resources to you. Is there some reason why Google’s algorithm thinks I might be actually looking for information about video-games, not board games or card games? I’d then be tempted to apply some form of evaluation framework to the sources that come up on the Google list. You can’t go far wrong using the CRAAP test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose, that the Information Literacy Group recently promoted for use in schools. 

Lesson 2: look at more than one source of information 

Returning to my simple search though, if I dive into the first article, ‘Fast-paced video games improve learning ability’, I note that the article says researchers have found the video-game Call of Duty increase our ability to learn motor skills.  The article tells me the research comes from University of Toronto, so probably the first thing I would want to do is to read the actual research paper rather than The Telegraph’s take on the story.  In fact a fairly quick read of this article suggests to me the research is not really about games improving learning as such, it’s how video-games help us develop sensorimotor skills. I’m going to move on, this is not the article I’m looking for. 

Link number two looks more promising on first glance because it actually comes from a university (what we might call an authoritative source), the University of Rochester in Canada: Playing action video games can improve learning. Daphne Bavelier is a research professor in brain and cognitive science and argues that video games improve not just the skills taught in the game, but learning capabilities more generally. 

I read on to find this study is also about Call of Duty, and was published around the same time as the Telegraph story from another Canadian university. It starts to ring alarm bells, that in fact this is the same story with some discrepancies. What I would start to question is why these two articles from well over 18 months ago are so high in the Google ranking, and neither in my mind are really what I’m looking for. But the discrepancies in the stories are also particularly interesting with the Telegraph article claiming the research is from a graduate student, Davood Gozli from the University of Toronto. Only later on in the article is Dr Bavelier mentioned and the findings are apparently written up in the journal Human Movement Science. Assuming I have access to this, through my university subscription, this would ideally be my next port of call to really understand if this article is valuable.

Lesson 3: think about authority and currency

Returning to my list of Google hits, I spend some time scanning the sources of the links before deciding whether to visit them. Authority is really important to me so I often discount popular news websites or stories on a .com domain.  The fourth hit on my list is a PDF, an article by Mark Griffiths on the Educational benefits of videogames, which according to Google has been cited 184 times. He’s a professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent. A few things to note though, the article dates from 2002, in a journal called Education and Health, so there are some useful references at the end, but ideally I would want to be looking at something more recent. I’m also puzzled as to why this PDF from a journal is available freely on the open web, so again I’d want to check the source to find out if Education and Health is peer reviewed and something my institution subscribes to before relying on this source. 

I am drawn to a blog post still on page one of my search results entitled, Can Classroom games improve learning? This seems to be more what I am looking for and I’m generally impressed by the quality of work I find on educational blogs.  My critical evaluation skills kick in though, when I see this is part of a US subscription magazine, Education Week and the blog post is a guest post written by someone who works for a company. The article has some useful links to schools that are embracing games in their curriculum design, and a useful infographic, however as authoritative sources go, I think this one scores fairly low for me. 

Lesson 4: Look past the first few results

Moving on to page two of the Google results (in fact very few people do this!), two links to UK university websites catch my eye as potentially useful. 

A recent news story from the University of Bristol asks Can computer games improve the ability to study? It’s scored well on authority and currency, it dates from January 2016. The article focuses on the affect of computer games on learning, and there is a peer reviewed article listed at the end. It’s based on a brain imaging study, which suggests that playing games leads to brain activity that positively supports learning. 

Further down the list I find a study from Queen Mary, University of London website dated August 2013 which suggests Playing video games can boost brain power. Again it’s good on the currency and authority and fairly likely to be accurate.

Lesson 5: Google isn’t always the answer

However, I am actually serious about really wanting to learn more about games-based learning, and so the librarian in me inevitably kicks into play. What I can learn from Google has not really proved particularly helpful so far and in fact led me down an alley of popular news stories all with a focus on video games which I wasn’t really looking for. 

In reality I’d be far more likely to first start by finding myself an authoritative book on the subject of games-based learning, and moving from that to some articles I would track down using the British Education Index, ISI Web of Science, or possibly PSYCHInfo from the American Psychological Association. I would have a look at joining the Association of Learning Technology’s special interest group on Games-based learning and the recent Jisc Guide on Gamification and Games-based Learning. 

I’d also see if I could find a good review article published recently to give me a heads-up on the key literature in the field and the key issues. And I think most importantly I would have a chat to some of the experts in this field already, such as Alex and Nic who I met at LILAC. Their keynote had some useful pointers for further reading.  Google Scholar might even be another port of call for me, just to see if there was anything readily available, but with a stamp of some authority. 

I guess finally I would really want to focus my search on the key research question I want to answer, which is ‘what the benefits of games are on helping people to learn, reduce their anxiety and have a long term impact on their practice.’ Developing a good research question is often the hardest part of the research process, but if you don't know what you are looking for, how will you know when you’ve found it?

Dr Jane Secker is Chair of the CILIP Information Literacy Group and presented with Chris Morrison at the CILIP Copyright Briefing on 7th April on the role of games-based learning in copyright education. Download Jane's presentation. Dr Jane Secker and Chris Morrison are also joint authors of a forthcoming Facet Publishing Book, Copyright and E-learning, 2nd edition (published in June 2016).

#AskALibrarian

Other blogs in the #AskALibrarian series include:

• #AskALibrarian: How can I find reliable hotel reviews? - Leslie Stebbins

9.45am to 4.00pm, Thursday 26 May at Taunton Library - YLG South West

The UK Government is consulting on developing a National Innovation Plan, which will be published later in the year. 

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) defines innovation as “the successful implementation of new ideas”. 

This is surely our space. Libraries are market places of ideas and information managers play a critical role helping entrepreneurs and teams in organisations generate and develop new ideas. It is time that we associated our profession with  innovation and linked ourselves firmly to the growth and prosperity agenda. 

NESTA estimates 63% of the UK’s economic growth between 2000 and 2008 was due to innovation, as opposed to simply investing in more capacity such as people or capital.

How does our community promote innovation? Where is the evidence for this? This is about enabling businesses to grow, develop new ideas, products and services as well as transforming the delivery of public services to support innovation.

If you agree that the library and information community supports innovation give your ideas through the consultation.

Share your ideas

We want BIS and the Government to understand how our profession promotes innovation, which means greater national prosperity and well-being.

The consultation includes eight questions that cover: 

• Regulation of businesses and organisations
• Public sector procurement
• Open data opportunities
• Opportunities for innovation
• Innovation finance
• Challenger businesses e.g. somenew banks
• Intellectual property
• General comments 

Outline CILIP Response

CILIP will provide a response by the 22 May deadline. An outline of our proposed submission is set out below. We value your views so do get in touch with comments, ideas and examples. Email policy@cilip.org.uk 

Summary (General Comments)

UK leads the world in advanced, knowledge and library skills. Ours is the profession that enables innovators and entrepreneurs.  There is a great opportunity to invest nationally in the information skills needed to sustain a knowledge-based economy and to renew the value of our under-utilised public library service. This should form the backbone of the National Innovation Plan

Regulation

• Focus on the moves to open access promoted by HE and research libraries especially, including open data and open science. HE and research libraries especially enabling free access to publicly funded research results  [see UKeIG white paper – “Open Science, Open Data, Open Access ...” ]
• Information managers as experts in information regulations, enabling businesses and organisations not only to comply with law but optimise benefits from information assets
• Points relating to intellectual property are dealt with in that section

Open Data

• Important role of the information manager  to “collect, organise, store and exploit information, data, expertise and other knowledge assets which are held within an organisation or network of organisations, ensuring that these assets remain available for future use”
• Need to manage data to ensure quality control, compliance with important regulatory requirements such as data protection and ethical treatment of the data
• Key role of Research Data Management in HE and research that some CILIP members are undertaking – current issues relating to big data and text and data mining
• Also need to help potential creators and entrepreneurs identify and use data successfully – whole area of data literacy [see recent blog by Tony Hirst on Open Data]

Opportunities for Innovation

• Need for national infrastructure of skills and advice centres for entrepreneurs, researchers and citizens
• Recommend the development of a national information skills strategy as part of the National Innovation Plan
  • a general level of digital and information literacy across the UK workforce
  • provision of specialist information management skills to optimise returns from exploitation of the knowledge assets  
• Need for a national network of information centres to help people navigate the information resources available and use them in new businesses as well as in daily life – this should be a key role for a renewed public library service
• This is about transforming  public services as well as growing the economy – example of “Knowledge for Healthcare Strategy” in NHS

Challenger businesses

• Scale of challenge as indicated by Lloyds Bank UK Business Digital Index (2015)  –23% of SMEs and 58% of charities lack basic digital skills to prosper in todays digital economy
• Excellent work of the British Library’s Enterprising Libraries programme with Business and IP centres delivered in partnership with 17 public library authorities. Impressive record on start-ups and reaches out to the entrepreneurial talent present in minority communities. Need to spread more widely across UK.
• More general work of public libraries  in encouraging creativity and digital literacy through Fab Labs, coding clubs and other provision 
• Knowledge transfer activities of HE and research libraries

Intellectual Property

• Hargreaves report (2011) – “Digital opportunity: a review of intellectual property and growth”. UK IP law reforms based on report’s recommendations  are about enabling more innovation and economic growth - the more liberal approach to IP based on opening up access to ideas for tomorrow’s creators and innovators as well as rewarding the efforts of today’s creators
• Library and Information professionals skilled in helping organisations and individuals make the most of IP regulations
• Specialist role of patent and trademark experts helping innovators gain the most from their invention

The award is presented to the man or woman who, in the opinion of the judges, has made the greatest contribution to information management or is the year's best exemplar of an information manager. Information Management is a key factor in the development of the UK economy, in which library and information professionals can, should and must play a vital role. It is to recognise and encourage this essential contribution that UKeiG, the CILIP Special Interest Group for promoting the effective exploitation and management of information tools, resources and technologies, with a particular focus on innovation created this Award in 2015.

Call for Nominations

For the 2016 Information Manager of the Year Award, judges will be looking for the person who has made a significant contribution to the discipline through his or her work and professionalism by meeting one of the following criteria:

• excellence in the use of Information Management techniques throughout the workplace
• raising the awareness by example of information management within the workplace and the profession
• a major contribution to the theory and practice of information management

Nominations are asked to include a short descriptive statement - around two or three pages - demonstrating how the nominee has excelled. The most successful applications will be those providing clear documentary support or evidence of the achievement.

A panel of judges will assess the nominations.

Nominations should be sent to awards@ukeig.org.uk no later than Friday 22nd July 2016.

sdf

Metadata remains the solution for describing the explosively growing, complex world of digital information, and continues to be of paramount importance for information professionals. Providing a solid grounding in the variety and interrelationships among different metadata types, Zeng and Qin’s thorough revision of their benchmark text offers a comprehensive look at the metadata schemas that exist in the world of library and information science and beyond, as well as the contexts in which they operate.

Cementing its value as both an LIS text and a handy reference for professionals already in the field, the book:

• Lays out the fundamentals of metadata, including principles of metadata, structures of metadata vocabularies, and metadata descriptions
• Surveys metadata standards and their applications in distinct domains and for various communities of metadata practice
• Examines metadata building blocks, from modelling to defining properties, and from designing application profiles to implementing value vocabularies
• Describes important concepts as resource identification, metadata as linked data, consumption of metadata, interoperability, and quality measurement
• Offers an updated glossary to help readers navigate metadata’s complex terms in easy-to-understand definitions.

HEA-ICS described the first edition as "An excellent textbook on metadata for learning and teaching” and the Journal of Documentation said, "this book is to be recommended without hesitation…it deserves a wide audience".

The book is the ideal guide to metadata for both students and working information professionals globally and is augmented with an online resource of web extras, packed with exercises, quizzes, and links to additional materials.

-ends

Press and review copies contact:

James Williams, Marketing Manager, Facet Publishing

Tel: +44 (0)20 7255 0597
Email: james.williams@facetpublishing.co.uk

The CILIP Ireland and LAI Annual Joint Conference and Exhibition was held in the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry from 13th to 15th April 2016. The conference attracted more than 100 delegates. Those present enjoyed a range of high profile speakers from all relevant library sectors. The speakers came from across the island of Ireland and they were joined by representatives from England, Wales and Scotland.

Events began with a Welcome Reception on the evening of the 13th April. Nick Poole, CILIP CEO and Philip Cohen, President of the LAI formally opened the Exhibition. Nearly twenty exhibitors were on hand to display and demonstrate awide variety of library supplies. Delegates were afforded the opportunity to network in a relaxed environment, explore the exhibitions and meet the exhibitors.

The Conference theme was "Survive and Thrive: Strategies for Success" and delegates enjoyed a packed programme with plenary sessions over two days covering a diverse range of topics including strategic planning and advocacy for libraries.There were also smaller scale learning sessions and workshops addressing topics including the recognition of CPD activities, marketing and how to make an impact and get published. These work shops also enabled exchanges of experience between participants and updates on the Decade of Commemorations, Open Libraries and a shared library management system.

Nick Poole, CILIP CEO delivered the opening plenary session with a thought provoking and inspiring talk on strategies for success. He began by sharing common distinctive characteristics of species which survive and thrive in nature before then applying these qualities to libraries.  He addressed each area in detail explaining and demonstrating how libraries already possess many of these crucial skills and attributes. He concluded his presentation by stating that:

“Libraries are one of the most resilient ideas on Earth. We have the services and skills people need to succeed in today's complex, information-rich world. We need to make sure they know it!”

The slides from Nick’s presentation can be viewed here.

A discernible mood of optimism permeated the conference and the theme continued as Helen Osborn, Director of Library Services for Libraries NI delivered a presentation entitled “Successful Strategies, Strategic Shaping”. Referring to the strategic approaches that Libraries NI had taken since its establishment in 2009, Helen highlighted measures taken to ensure that library services continued to thrive despite a challenging financial situation and other pressures. She also described how Libraries NI's approach is being adapted for the new environment that will follow the Northern Ireland Assembly elections in May 2016. Thereafter there will of course be a new government department and Minister.

Helen’s Conference presentation can be viewed here.

Other plenary speakers included Susan Reilly, Executive Director of LIBER who delivered a fascinating presentation entitled “Libraries enabling Open Science”. She described the role of LIBER and its advocacy actives in the areas of open science, open access and copyright. She observed that as library roles continue to become embedded we are all becoming involved in the knowledge creation process.

The final day of the Conference began with an inspirational presentation from Helen Shenton, Librarian and College Archivist at Trinity College Dublin. She asserted that there has probably never been such a riveting, interesting and challenging time to be involved in the world of information and libraries. It was against this backdrop that she described how Trinity College Dublin developed its new strategy for the Library, in step with the University’s strategic planning and with wide consultation.

The Conference concluded with a fantastic example of innovation. Judith Keene and Kathy Kirk from The Hive in Worcester discussed the creation of the first joint Public/University library in Europe, which is run in partnership by Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester.

A stream of tweets from delegates and speakers reflected the overwhelmingly positive “buzz” which was apparent throughout the Conference. Plenary sessions presented a timely opportunity to consider and explore key themes and developments within the profession.  The Conference also facilitated numerous networking opportunities where these themes could be discussed at length either formally at the Welcome Reception and Conference Dinner or informally during break times.

We take this opportunity to thank those who attended and look forward to seeing you again next year.

Please see here for presentations delivered at the Joint Conference

The London Library celebrates its 175th anniversary this week with a special programme of talks and events in St James's Square Gardens.  See the attached brochure for more details.

Following on from our original news item on January 13, the short commentary and a TSO press release, we are pleased to circulate the details of the following SCOOP event taking place at 2pm on Wednesday 11th May at CILIP HQ.

This year the world of Parliamentary Publishing is undergoing unprecedented change, with the majority of Parliamentary and Government publications moving to an electronic-only distribution model. SCOOP (the Standing Committee on Official Publications) have organised demonstrations by the major publishers of online Official Publications: TSO’s Official Publications Online, Dandy’s Public Information Online, and ProQuest’s Parliamentary Papers website.

The session will start at 2pm on Wednesday 11th May at CILIP HQ and is open to anyone interested in online OP provision. If you would like to attend or have any questions, please email me directly.

Thanks.

Steven Hartshorne
Secretary of SCOOP
steven.hartshorne@bolton.gov.uk

http://info.cilip.org.uk/Ac3~p...

CILIP North East Member Network is pleased to announce a free portfolio building workshop. This event will be facilitated by Patricia Crosier, NE Candidate Support Officer.

This workshop will cover details which candidates need to know to complete and submit their portfolios under the 2013 regulations, with practical hints and tips for portfolio building, an overview of the new regulations, and opportunity for networking and peer support from fellow candidates.

To book please email Patricia Crosier at p.crosier@tees.ac.uk 01642 342107 with your name, job title and which scheme you are working / intending working towards and any special requirements.

Places are limited so bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

An afternoon visit organised by the North Eastern Members Network, this event is aimed at library and information professionals from all sectors interested in libraries.

On the 11th of January 2016, Newcastle University opened new library space on campus. The building features managed and supported innovative learning and social spaces.There is a mixture of silent and collaborative study spaces together with new technology such as “The Chatterbox” room which has a Skype enabled PC and plasma screen for students to use.

This is a free event.

The building is located on Sandyford Road 35 minutes’ walk from Newcastle Central Railway Station, or five minutes’ walk from Haymarket or Jesmond Metro. A campus map is available here: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwnclacuk/abouttheuniversity/files/campus-map.pdf 

Access: The building has lifts to reach the upper floors. The Library Rooms are currently based on the ground floor and 2 upper floors.

If you are interested in coming along please email Kirstin Himsworth

Following on from our 'Keep this date in your diary' post, UKeiG is now pleased to publish the programme and booking form for our AGM and Members Day in London on June 16th. 

Looking at new trends and challenges emerging in the world of e-information and how we, as information professionals, can ensure that we keep our services at the leading edge, our speakers from the information industry present insights from their own perspectives.  Our Future Cafe, introduced by Sue Silcocks and John Wickenden, will give delegates the opportunity to discuss some of the key challenges facing information professionals in the workplace. 

Speakers include CILIP CEO, Nick Poole, speaking on the future of the profession, David Milward of Linguamatics on search and text mining, and Lin Lin of EBSCO on the user experience. After the short AGM the afternoon will be taken up by our Future Cafe and some time for networking, with drinks sponsored by Manzama.

The day takes place at No. 11 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN and starts at 10:30. There is a small charge for those who are not members of UKeiG, but members can attend free. Both members and non-members are asked to book. Full details and booking can be found at:
http://www.cilip.org.uk/uk-ein...

Government statistics show importance of childhood in starting life-long use of public libraries

Along with the most recent Taking Part statistics – looking at use of leisure, culture and sport in England – the Department of Culture Media & Sport have published more in-depth, longitudinal reports into public library use.

Taking Part, focus on libraries report provides details about library use and satisfaction while Taking part, focus on cross-sector participation examines participation across arts, libraries, heritage, museums, galleries and sport.

In summary, the reports show that:

• Childhood is a critical age – it’s the time most people start a life-long habit of using libraries and adults who live with children are motivated to use the library to encourage them to read. 
• While overall visits and book borrowing have declined, this is in a context of building closures, staff cuts and budget reductions, and satisfaction levels remain high.
• The quality and choice of books and resources is the most important factor affecting satisfaction levels.
• The importance of libraries as a place for lifelong learning is gaining ground.
• A significantly highly proportion of adults from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups use libraries more than adults from white ethnic groups.

The library habit

Adults who went to the library themselves when they were growing up were more likely to go to the library as adults. 82.2 % of adults who had used a library in the last 12 months had used a library when growing up.

This is a high figure and suggests a closer look at the various “Library card at birth” initiatives which have attempted to reduce or remove this barrier to library use. The most recent in England reported in 2014. The main finding was that although issuing a library card is not on its own enough to develop active library users it is an important first step.

Scotland piloted automatic child membership last year and Wales has the Every child a library member initiative. 

Diversity

A significantly higher proportion of adults from the black and minority ethnic groups used a library in the year ending September 2015 than adults from the white ethnic group (49.3 % compared with 31.8%) Although there has been a significant decline in both groups since 2005/06 the gap between ethnic groups appears to be increasing. The gap was 10.3 percentage points between the two groups, in the latest year there was a difference of 17.5 percentage points.

Lifelong learners

A significantly higher proportion of non working adults who used the library in the past 12 months used it for academic study than working adults (11.3% compared with 8.2%).

A significantly higher proportion of adults from the black and minority ethnic group used it for academic study than adults from the white ethnic group (20.2% compared to 7.5%).

Recent research from the USA [1]  shows library users embracing the idea that the public library is a place for learning. 97% of those who used a library or bookmobile in the past 12 months say that the term “lifelong learner” applies “very well” or “pretty well” to them and a similar share of library website users (98%) also strongly identified with being lifelong learners. 76% of adults said libraries serve the learning and educational needs of their communities either “very well” (37%) or “pretty well” (39%).

There were no significant differences in the use of the public library services between working adults and non working adults or between adults from the white ethnic group and adults from the black and minority ethnic group.

The children factor

Adults who live with children are significantly more likely to use the public library service than adults who do not live with children. In fact the main reason for using libraries more often was “to encourage my child to read books” (Reported by 20% of adults who reported using the library more often). 

Free time

Those who reported a change in the frequency of their library use over a period of 2-3 years were asked why they used the library more or less often. 15% saying they had used the library more simply had more free time. The most common reason for a decline in library use was “having less free time”. Having more time could include the non working - who use the library significantly more than the working - or the recently retired.

How much free time we have is a real calculable value but can it also be a perception? How many people visiting a public library view it as a leisure pursuit, in competition for limited free time, and how many as a necessity? The question of free time also raises questions about how effective libraries currently are at providing relevant services to people with little free time, for example ebook lending and an effective digital presence.  

What other cultural sectors do library users use the most?

The new Venn diagrams offer an interesting insight into the connections and correlations between the engagement with libraries and engagement with other cultural sectors. The strongest connections libraries have are with the Arts sector and the Heritage sector. Library users engage with those cultural sectors more than with sport, archives and museums. 

Internet Access

There is now free Wi-Fi access in 99.2% of English public libraries, an impressive increase from 72% in March 2015.

But it is free internet access that is an issue for those who do not own their own laptops or devices. The Libraries Taskforce are exploring how libraries could most effectively loan a variety of digital devices, by bringing together those who are actively loaning, or exploring loaning these devices. This is an important strand in the digital inclusion agenda given the recent report from the Tinder Foundation [2] suggesting that access to a device in the home is a factor in the quicker progression of people participating in digital skills training. This was identified in an early Oxford Internet Survey by OxIS from 2011 [3].

A good experience?

94.2 % of adults who had used a library were very satisfied or fairly satisfied (an increase from 92.5% in 2010/11 when the question was first asked). The most common reason for dissatisfaction was choice and condition of resources. In 2008-09 total expenditure of English public libraries on materials (Books, periodicals, music, DVDs, online electronic etc.) was £106,729,943 [4]. The figure for 2013-14 was £82,132,929 [5]. Although this has to be viewed alongside the reduced number of libraries this still represents a significant drop. 

So, while public libraries continue to diversify and innovate to meet the needs of their users how do we make sure this is not to the detriment of what makes libraries unique? “Adequate stocks...of books and other printed matter... sufficient in number, range and quality to meet the general requirements and any special requirements both of adults and children [6] available free of charge.
 

We've collected together some of the interesting, contentious and important library and information stories that were discussed around the world last month. There were lots of interesting discussions in April, including: 

1. Protest, occupation and solidarity in support of public libraries
2. Library and information policy
3. Proactive steps
4. The impact of reading
5. Preserving the world’s cultural heritage
6. Declining relevance vs. declining funding

Let us know what you think or if you have any other important issues that we missed in the comments section below.

1. Protest, occupation and solidarity in support of public libraries

Last month the BBC published data which laid bare the scale and nature of changes to library services and paid staff in the UK in the past 5 years.

Around the same time, Lambeth Council in South East London proceeded with fiercely opposed plans to shut the beloved 110-year old local Carnegie library, to re-open next year as a controversial ‘gym library’.

What ensued was a wave of library media coverage, debate and most importantly, support, for local libraries. 

Protesters opposed to the Carnegie library plans occupied the closed library for 9 days, attracting widespread support and media attention, as reported by Brixton Buzz and the BBC.

30,000 members of the UK public voted in a survey by leading consumer finance website MoneySavingExpert last week, and 9 out of 10 of all age groups deemed that libraries are crucial and should be protected.

Finally, a letter of solidarity for UK libraries from the US, as Rebecca T. Miller published this Editorial in Library Journal.

2. Library and information policy

Copyright continues to dominate international debate. Following the International Publishers’ Congress, EBLIDA, the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations has co-signed a letter asserting libraries’ fight for public, and not commercial interest, inviting publishers and others to work with together to pass limited but necessary copyright reforms.

Meanwhile the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) of has co-signed a letter to Finance Ministers meeting at World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, calling for universal, open, secure, and affordable broadband connectivity, with full protection of human rights, urging them to support public libraries, which facilitate significant gains in connectivity and sustainable development.

The NY Times reports that Hillary Clinton is promoting libraries as a crucial link to supporting immigrants, and in turn will be “a critical link to the White House”, should she occupy it.

3. Proactive steps

Libraries in the United States need to tap into the opportunity to engage the public in lifelong learning and gain more value from their investment in digital collections, according to Michael Kozlowski on Good EReader, as technological change drives the reinvention of libraries.

The Washington Post reports on the vision of Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the D.C. Public Library system, on his bid to lead a model for the nation of libraries as “engines of human capital” and library patrons as creators.

A group of biologists has bypassed the traditional journal publishing route, and uploaded their work straight to the internet, in a bid to make publicly-funded research freely available and to speed up scientific advancement.

4. The impact of reading

The National Literacy Trust published a report in April showing that pupil interest in reading drops in secondary school, with only 40% of 14-16 year-olds saying they enjoy reading compared with more than 70% of 8-11 year-olds.

On the same day the report was published there were an article in the Guardian illustrating just how powerful a force reading can be. Emily Rhodes reports on how reading in a prison library brings people together:

"If a book can start a conversation, then just think what can spring from a whole library [...] this library isn’t so much a place of silent, solitary shelf-scanning as a place where books bring people together."

A Pew Research report, published earlier in the month, further reinforces the point that reading and libraries can act as a force to promote learning and engagement with information.

If you have views on the impact of reading for pleasure, we’d really appreciate it if you took 15-20 minutes to complete this survey before 6 May produced by CILIP, the Reading Agency and other partners.

5. Preserving the world’s cultural heritage

There were some incredible stories about attempts to preserve and understand the world’s cultural heritage this month, including:

• Palmyra's Arch of Triumph recreated with 3d technology
• The Librarian Who Saved Timbuktu’s Cultural Treasures From al Qaeda
• Handwriting recognition algorithm suggests widespread Bible-era literacy

6. Declining relevance vs. declining funding

It is not hard to find articles on the future of libraries, usually framed around the idea that the mass availability of information via the internet has made them effectively defunct. There are some simple rebuttals to this idea. One put forward by Leslie Stubbins is that more information requires more information experts, not less. And another, from Caitlin Moran, is that the internet only shows you what’s most popular, not what’s best.

Perhaps a more powerful argument is provided in The Atlantic, though. Robinson Meyer uses Pew Research to argue that the issue is not one of relevance; that declining visits to libraries correlate not to changes in technology but to funding. And, as suggested by a recent Money Saving Expert, libraries remain incredibly popular in the UK too.  

Join CILIP

CILIP is the leading body representing the information professions. 

We build the professionalism of our members by supporting the development of skills, knowledge and excellence. We provide unity through shared values and advocate on behalf of the information professions.

The benefits of CILIP membership include:

• A weekly email containing a top 10 round-up of library and information stories
• A subscription to Update magazine, he leading publication for the library, information and knowledge management community. 
• The option to apply for professional Certification, Chartership, Fellowship or Revalidation, CILIP's internationally recognised qualifications.

Join CILIP

Do you need to demonstrate how you make an impact in your workplace?

Do you need to show your stakeholders the value of the service that you provide?

CILIP East of England Members Network welcome Jo Cornish (Development Officer, CILIP), who will provide an overview of the CILIP Impact Toolkit and facilitate a practical workshop on stakeholder analysis.

The committee would like to invite members to join us after the event to observe the CILIP East committee meeting which will take place between 17:15 and 18:45.

To avoid disappointment book by 25 May

We have come across two knowledge management events take place this summer which may be of interest to our members - UKeiG has no formal connection with either organisation and is passing on the information. The first is a 2-day conference - 15 June, 2016 - 16 June, 2016 at DeVere Holborn Bars, 138-142 Holborn, London, EC1N 2NQ: Knowledge Management UK 2016 (KMUK) and the second is an Advanced Course in Knowledge Management that takes place on the 20th and 21st July at Henley Business School, Greenlands Campus, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 3AU.

KNUK offers you the chance to understand how companies such as Sky, the International Olympic Committee and the British Army achieve their goals through intelligent knowledge management. KMUK covers a range of approaches (technology and process to social interaction and performance), and the variety of organisations included mean that there is an opportunity to look beyond your own sector to find inspiration pushing the boundaries of KM. Full details can be found on the Ark Group web site:
https://www.ark-group.com/even...

The Advanced Course in Knowledge Management run by the Henley Forum at the Henley Business School expects delegates to have improved their ability to critically evaluate suitable systems, processes, technologies, leadership and behavioural change approaches to develop an organisation’s knowledge and learning capability the end of the course. The course is for those who are responsible for identifying, designing and/or implementing initiatives that will improve the knowledge and organisational learning processes and practices of the organisation. Full details can be found at:
http://www.henley.ac.uk/events...

Both the conference and teh course are relatively expensive so it is worth checking out te early-bird discounts.

Salford Museum has limited paid parking outside or can be easily reached from Salford Crescent Railway Station. Meet at 10.00 am inside main door of Salford Museum Numbers are limited to 20 Contact Linda Clarke to book a place - linda.clarke@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk

This first users day held by the Microdata Lab of the OECD Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Directorate aims to share information about Intellectual Property (IP)-related data and methodological work with current and prospect users. It is designed as a one-day interactive event, with presentations followed by Q&A and open discussion about experiences and needs, and about how IP data are used and can be used.

Agenda - STI Microdata-lab meets Industry

First users’ day, June 28, 2016 - OECD Conference Center - CC 18

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome and introduction

10:15 - 11:30 1st session: “ An overview of available OECD databases”

This session will provide an overview of the main IP-related databases created and maintained by the OECD, their features and accessibility.

11:30 - 11:50 Coffee break

12:00 - 13:00 2nd session: “Constructing robust indicators of IP quantity and quality: key methodological advances and outstanding challenges”. This session will discuss a number of indicators that the OECD has conceived to proxy the quantity and quality of IP assets and highlight data and methodological challenges that remain to be addressed.

13:00 - 14:15 Lunch break

14:15 - 15:30 3rd session: “Backward and forward-looking measures of IP”. This session will continue to discuss the characteristics of key OECD IP indicators and outline a novel methodology that helps identify the technology fields in which innovative activity is likely to continue in the near future.

15:30 - 15:50 Coffee break

15:50 - 17:20 4th session: “Industry’s IP data use, feedback and needs”. This session will give industry representatives an occasion to provide additional feedback about the data and methodological work presented, to explain how IP data are used in companies and to put forward their needs and desiderata. At least 2 industry representatives will make short presentations about current IP data use and needs, followed by a roundtable gathering the feedback of participants.

17:20 - 17:30 Conclusions and next steps / meetings

Participants are kindly asked to register through the following link:

http://survey.oecd.org/Survey....

Please note that available places are limited: registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Contact: sti.microdatalab@oecd.org http://oe.cd/ipstats

Celebrate Shakespeare in your prison Library! Prison Libraries are invited to apply for funding for Shakespeare related arts events in prison libraries between May – October 2016 as part of the “Celebrating Shakespeare” initiative led by the Society of Chief Librarians.

Please see the documents below for details and the expression of interest form.

A one day introduction to CILIP mentoring workshop provided on behalf of the CILIP North West Member Network  – FREE to members of CILIP.

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 two administrators 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: 

·         Deputy Treasurer

·         Web site lead

·         Awards Co-Ordinator

·         Publications Co-Ordinator & Current Awareness Bulletin editor

If you would be interested in joining us please contact John Wickenden (email: secretary.ukeig@cilip.org.uk). We look forward to hearing from you.

A nomination form can be found as a Word doc under
http://www.cilip.org.uk/uk-einformation-group/members-area/governance/ukeig-management-committee-membership

Please send your nomination to John asap.

CILIPin Kent is pleased to present a visit to two very interesting collections both located on the University of Kent Canterbury campus. Join us: 

• At the Franciscan Study Centre Library - FISC (11am-1pm). The library holds around 65,500 volumes, most of which are on open access. There are some 330 journal runs, including around 100 current subscriptions, in the fields of Franciscan Studies, Theology, Biblical Studies, Church History and Ethics, among others. The Franciscan Studies collection alone includes over 6,000 volumes and is believed to be the largest such collection in northern Europe. The earliest volumes include manuscripts from the late Middle Ages and incunabula (books from the very earliest days of printing). The Library is located on Giles Lane, near the University of Kent Medical Centre, on the Canterbury campus.

• At the Special Collections and Archives (2-4pm). Special Collections and Archives manage and develop unique and distinctive archival collections of the University of Kent so that they are preserved and accessible for current and future researchers. These collections include rare books, archival material and artworks of British political cartoons and caricature, theatre, stand-up comedy in Britain, the University of Kent’s institutional records, windmills and watermills, local history, modern poetry and prose, local history of Kent and history of science. The collection is located in the Templeman Library, on the Canterbury campus.

These are two separate visits; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you are interested in visiting both collections, make sure that you register for each one.

Light refreshments will be provided during each visit. Lunch is not included but there is a range of catering outlets across the Canterbury campus.