The Combined Regions submission to the DCMS Select Committee on Inquiry on Library Closures can be seen here:

http://combinedregions.com/news.asp#News74 

The Arts Council have submitted a statement to the Inquiry.

See the full submission here:

http://tiny.cc/y88bi

 

Following the success of the inaugural SWRLS grant scheme in 2011, a new round of the scheme is being launched today.

Full details of the scheme together with relevant paperwork can be accessed from here:

http://www.swrls.org.uk/SWRLS_Activities/SWRLS_Grant_Scheme

 

Please note deadline for Expressions of Interest is 6th February 2012.

Last year the projects were very varied and the successful bids were :

• SWACL (SW Society of Chief Librarians) for a range of collaborative projects including furthering the Future of Libraries programme;
• Devon Libraries and Exeter University promoting their special collection of children’s literature;
• Devon FE colleges producing a union catalogue of journals;
• University of West of England, University of Bristol and Yeovil FE College improving the access to online resources at HE and FE libraries for walk in users

It is planned to have presentations of the outcomes of these projects at a future SWRLS meeting.

The new website for National Library Day- 4th February 2012 - has been launched.

The day is intended for all libraries to get involved and promote themselves.

Visit it for resources, add your events to the calendar and find out what else is happening in your area.

http://www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/

http://www.swrls.org.uk/assets/Inspire%20e-Newsletter%20Dec%202011.pdf

Congratulations to Mark Pool, Senior Assistant Librarian, Reference, Torbay, who has been awarded the Dorothy McCulla Memorial Prize this year for outstanding contribution to Local Studies Librarianship.

 

This is the thrid time in 14 years that the award has gone to a SW Local Studies Librarian, the others being Ian Maxted (Devon) in 1997 and Mike Marshman (Wiltshire) in 2001.

"Use it, Love it, Join it!" will be the strapline for National Libraries Day, to be held on 4th February 2012.

The strapline and a logo have been made available from Flickr under creative commons licence for everyone to use in promoting their events and activities on the day.

 

SWRLS is the lead orgainsation for a bid for SW public libraries to use the London 2012 Inspire Mark on its Cultural Olympiad project, "Reading Passport".

We will build on the excitement generated by the Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage people to use reading to increase their knowledge of other cultures and provide inspiration.  We will do this across the entire south west region through the network of over 330 libraries.

Through reading, participants will explore different experiences of history and ways of life, inspired by London and England welcoming the world.  This rich diversity will be experienced through booklists containing novels and non-fiction, including sports writing and the experience of people from around the world who have overcome challenges.

Working with Read SW and Cyprus Well, if approval is given and it is successful in bidding for grant funding the aim will be to get 10,000 people taking part.

For further details on the bid contact director@swrls.org.uk

The November issue is available from here

If you wish to subscribe to the newsletter direct, please contact director@swrls.org.uk who will arrange it for you.

SWRLS is pleased to welcome two new members :

• Wiltshire College, which has 4 sites and is led by Janet Waters, Head of learning Resources Centres, based at the Salisbury campus.
  

and

• Richard Huish College, a sixth  form college, based in Taunton, which is led by Sheron Burton
  

Links to their websites have been added to the Members page and we look forward to seeing them at future SWRLS events.