Bridgwater College are enrolling for a September start in Progression Award and NVQ Level 2+3 

For further information see links below.

Progression Award

http://www.bridgwater.ac.uk/sec4.php?sec4ID=863&secID=2

 

NVQ 2 in Information & Library Services

http://www.bridgwater.ac.uk/sec4.php?sec4ID=1049&secID=2

 

NVQ 3 in Information & Library Services

http://www.bridgwater.ac.uk/sec4.php?sec4ID=1067&secID=2

 

The NVQs will be reviewed in terms of numbers that enrol.

 

Please note that both the NVQ and the Progression Award close for registration on 31 December this year and at the moment there are no replacement qualifications available for either of them. So any new staff wishing to do these courses would need to register by September at the very latest..

 

Dorset Libraries have invested £1.3m to installRFID iequiopment n their 34 libraries, resulting in average over 80% self issue (95% in larger libraries).

For more detials see this article in IWR:

http://www.iwr.co.uk/academic-and-humanites/3010368/How-Dorset-County-Council-transformed-library-services-with-RFID-technology

DCMS announced yesterday that MLA will be wound up by April 2012

MLA has released this press release in response: http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/mla_gov_announcement

For a report of the conference held at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham in June, see this report from Gail Stuckey, Wiltshire Libraries whose attendance was sponsored by SWRLS. http://www.swrls.org.uk/assets/Fil%20Interlend%20Report%202010.pdf

 

Photos of the new hamworthy Comunity Library, Poole have been added to the SWRLS Flickr Account.

To view them click on Photo Gallery and choose Hamworthy Community Library

Ed Vaisey,Culture Minister, has launched a support programme for (public) libraries. For the full speech and further details of the joint MLA and LGA scheme see:

http://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/The+Modernisation+Review+of+Public+Libraries

Following the DCMS Modernisation review, Unison launched an inquiry into public libraries and now publishes its report. http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/19151.pdf

 

Cyprus Well and Cilip SW have aranged this free event at Exeter Central Library to showcase the Man Booker Prize.

For further details see:  http://www.swrls.org.uk/assets/man%20booker%20cyprus%20well%20cilipv2.pdf

Places are limited, so book now!

 

DCMS made the following announcement on the 17th June.

As part of its contribution to reducing the fiscal deficit, DCMS are cutting £73 miliion from its budget. As a result

"The Government has decided not to pursue the £2 million (per annum) spending commitments set out in the Public Library Modernisation Review Policy statement published in March 2010. These were free internet access in all libraries and to promote library membership as an entitlement from birth. It also included extending the Public Lending Right to non-print format books, estimated at £300,000 – this has been suspended and will be considered as part of spending review in the Autumn."

Version 7 of the useful summary of lending policies in Higher Education institutions is now available here: http://www.swrls.org.uk/assets/lendingtheses-7-june2010.pdf

Thanks to Graham Titley, University of Plymouth, for keeping this document up to date.

This is the first NHS library to join SWRLS and reflects our aim to widen the membership to cover all library sectors .

The library serves staff and students at the Weston General Hospital Academy and has a useful blog with further information. Many of you may know Paula Younger, Library Manager, as someone who has run popular Web 2.0 courses and her experience is much welcomed.

Any requests for loans should be directed by email to Wnt-tr.healthcarelibrary@nhs.net

The Science Musum Library and Archives at Wroughton contains original scientific, engineering and technology material from the last 500 years and all of the Science museum's  Archive collections.

Since 1992, the Science Museum Library has operated a computerised Online Library Catalogue jointly with Imperial College Libraries.

They welcome all types of researchers, from private researchers to academics and students; from curators, collectors and dealers to enthusiasts, restorers, family and local historians.

For access and services see: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us/about_the_museum/science_library.aspx

 

Rob Froud, Chair of SWRLS for 12 years, retired from the Board at the Regional Council meeting on 16th March.

He was presented with a cheque and a bottle of wine from all of his colleagues in SWRLS and wished a long and happy retirement.

Rob, who was awarded the OBE in 2009 for services to public libraries, also retires from his post of Head of Cultural Services with Somerset County Council at the end of March.

 

Paul Leivers, Head of Cultural Services, Dorset County Council has agreed to act as Chair until the elections at the SWRLS AGM  on 14th October.

 

 

 

SWRLS and OCLC have been invited to lead a discussion session on the WorldCat Local Project at the FIL Interlend 2010 conference.

For more details of the conference and how to book a place see: http://www.swrls.org.uk/events.asp and scroll down to 28th June.

 

Remember, SWRLS will sponsor one palce for members to this conference. If you wish to apply email director@swrls.org.uk for details

Following the consultation exercise, "Empower, Inform, Enrish", the long awaited review of public libraries has now been published and includes:

• A recommended "Library Offer to the public"
• Ideas for increasing usage
• Governance and delivery models
• Customer service
• Digitisation opportunities
• How to demonstrate relevance

See the full report at http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6752.aspx

See the SWRLS response to the original consultation paper here: /assets/empower, inform, enrich consultation questions.doc

The records of the libraries of the National Trust have been loaded onto Copac. This is the first time that the National Trust's catalogue has been available to search online.

 

The National Trust owns 140 historic libraries, containing around 230,000 titles, generally preserved in the places where they were originally assembled and read. Many are country house libraries, some collected by wealthy bibliophiles, others containing more practical everyday books, including rare provincial printing. Other collections reflect the interests of middle-class readers; some were assembled by literary figures, such as Kipling and Shaw.

 

Together these libraries provide an unparalleled resource for the study of the history of private book ownership in Britain and Ireland. The collections will be of interest to researchers from a wide range of disciplines, and include a huge variety of materials, from illuminated manuscripts to picture postcards.

To search COPAC go to : http://copac.ac.uk/

 

 

The Conarls database of non-English language fiction http://combinedregions.com/Inter-Library_Loans/Locating_Non-English_Language_Fiction has recently been updated to include a number of new collections.    Originally compiled to help library staff quickly identify sources of material available for inter-lending within and beyond their own regions, the database describes collections not individual titles held.

 

The most recent additions to the database are the extensive collections of non-English language fiction material held at The London Library.  Sixteen language collections not previously listed, including Basque, Georgian, Ancient and Modern Greek, Icelandic and Maori, have also been added, bringing the total number of collections in the database to almost 1800 and covering 85 languages from Afrikaans to Yoruba.   Some of the collections listed in the database are not available for interlending (usually because they are rental collections), and some are available only to other libraries in that region, however all have been included to help show the range and diversity of material held in libraries across the country.  Please note that not all libraries belong to the Conarls IRU cost scheme and charge the British Library rate for interlending.

 

CONARLS are always pleased to add new collections information to the database, please contact Lynn Hodgkins, if you would like yours to be included.

The 2010 Clore Leadership Programme will be inviting applications from exceptional individuals from across the cultural sector with the potential to take on significant leadership roles. The Fellowship Programme aims to shape emerging creative leaders through in-depth learning, tailored as far as possible to the needs, aspirations and circumstances of about 20 individuals a year. Fellows also benefit from unparalleled access to senior cultural leaders and to extensive networks.

The structure of the programme includes:

§  residential courses

§  an extended placement

§  original research

§  individually-selected training, mentoring and coaching.

New developments to the Fellowships in 2010 include greater focus, with most Fellows able to complete the core of the Programme in a concentrated six-month period, plus an introductory two-week residential course.  Fellows can choose to take a period of six months away from work and receive a bursary while doing their programme, or continue to be attached to their place of work, with their employer being compensated for the sustained periods when they're away.

We welcome applications for general Fellowships from people working across a wide range of creative and cultural activity, and also from those from outside the cultural sector who want to develop as a leader within it.  In addition, we also offer some Fellowships focused on particular specialisms or geographical areas.  These vary from year to year and can be found on our website.

 

The closing date for all applications is the 12 March 2010.  For further details on the Programme and to access the online application form please visit www.cloreleadership.org

 

Getting on with IT!;

Benefiting from, and coping with changing technology in library services

The presentations from the joint SWRLS / JISC RSC SW one day conference are available now here:

http://www.rsc-south-west.ac.uk/index.php?p=11 scroll down to see individual papers.

This new NVQ Level 3 (7371) is launched from January 2010

 

For full details of this course see this Progress Your Library Career leaflet

For information on other courses available in the SW see the website at: http://www.swrls.org.uk/SWRLS_Activities/Professional_Training_and_Career_Info

Have a  look at ILL Gateway/Music

This section of the website has recently been greatly enlarged with the help of SW Music Librarians.

Visit it now for sites that will help find everything related to music queries, from TV theme tunes to classical sheet music suppliers and Vocal sets to song indexes.

SWRLS recently applied for the CILIP Seal of Recognition, citing two previous events, "Access All Areas" the E Resources Conference held in collaboration with JISC RSC SW, in December 2008 and an ILL Training workshop, held in partnership with FIL, in June 2009.

The assessment commented very favourably on the CPD activities which were submitted as examples, and especially noted that the design for both sample events was innovative and the evaluation was thorough. There was confidence that attendees would learn new skills and develop their knowledge.

The Seal is awarded for three years and can be used all future events that meet the criteria.

For further information on the Seal see: http://www.cilip.org.uk/qualificationschartership/seal

SWRLS would like to acknowledge the support and help from the partnership organisations in staging these events and in particular, Virginia Havergal of JISC and Sarah Washford and Graham Titley of FIL.

Congratulations to Devon County Council whose Ivybridge Library, known as The Watermark, was highly commended in the Partnership category section of the 2009 Public Library Building Awards, announced at the PLA Conference last night

The Partnership award recognises new, refurbished or converted libraries built and/or managed in partnership with other agencies including dual or multi purpose libraries, PFI/PPP libraries etc. The library buildings demonstrate a seamless integration and overall purpose agreed between all the partners involved, from the planning process through to the service delivery.

The winner was – Pollok Library and Learning Centre – Culture and Sport Glasgow on behalf of Glasgow City Council

Extract from the press release issued 7th October 2009

OCLC and the South West Regional Library Service (SWRLS) today announced a collaboration that will initially see seven public library authorities in the South West of England using WorldCat Local as their shared end user discovery service in 2010. Library authorities in Bournemouth, Bath & NE Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Plymouth are working with OCLC to implement a discovery interface that will enable users to search and place reservations on materials held across the South West region. The service is a replacement for Wisdom, formerly supplied by DS Ltd, now part of the Axiell Group. By adopting this approach, the libraries will also raise their profile on the Web by becoming visible in WorldCat.org, the Web destination for discovery of library resources. Rob Froud OBE, Head of Cultural Service at Somerset County Council and Chairman of the SWRLS Management Board said of the announcement: “We opted to work with OCLC because we sought a service our library customers would view instantly as highly attractive and easy-to-use. Our library staff are also served by having a solution that is technically robust and simple to implement.” Asked whether he felt other libraries in the region might join at a later stage, Mr Froud said: “Other libraries have expressed an intention to join and it is our hope they will do so soon, but we are very happy with the initial roll-out as it is another demonstration that the model of collaborative working across public library authorities is thriving.”

For the full press release see: /assets/press release re oclc and swrls  worldcat local project.doc

The MLA Challenge Fund is part of the Government’s Learning Revolution Open Space movement and is another step forward in bringing the new informal adult learning movement to life.

The awards have just been announced and two library services in the SW were successful in their bids:

Dorset Libraries
Making Connections: Creative Words for Emotional Health and Well – Being.
Working with a professional writer and therapist to provide creative writing workshops to allow people recovering from mental health problems to access adult learning opportunities normally not available to them.
Torbay Library Services
Spreading ‘Poetry for Pleasure’ in Brixham and beyond: An informal group of writers and readers, the ‘Poetry for Pleasure’ group in Brixham library, will expand their activities and membership with a publication, workshop, and displays.

 

For more information on the scheme see: http://www.dius.gov.uk/skills/engaging_learners/informal_adult_learning

 

Congratulations to Bournemouth University, Winners of the Times Higher Supplement Leadership & Management Awards 2009 - Outstanding Library Team.

The papers and evaluation summary from the successful joint SWRLS / FIL ILLTraining Day, which was held on 26th June , are now available on the website.Click here for more information.

 

Ivybridge Library has been shortlisted for the Public Library Building Awards, 2009 . It is the only library in the SW on the list this year and is up against some tough opposition including in Newcastle and High Wycombe.

Winners of the competition will be announced during the Public Library Authorities Conference 2009 at the Grand Hotel Bristol on Wednesday 7th October. We wish Devon good luck!

For more information about Ivybridge Library see:

http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/public/awards/awards2009/delegates/Ivybridge.html

 

Bournemouth and Poole College have approval / validation from University of Bournemouth to run a new Cultural Service Foundation Degree. The course will be launched in part-time mode, starting in January 2010. In response to local employer demand, the course will be run in four intensive three-day blocks per year over three years. First year students will undertake an induction programme to get them off to a good start. As also requested by employers, all course units will be available for study as short courses, to provide continuing professional development opportunities. The new course completes the SWLLN’s Foundation degree development work for the cultural services sector (libraries, museums, archives, galleries, heritage sites) in the South West. This success follows on from the earlier validation of the FdA Libraries, Museums and Archives by the University of Plymouth for delivery at Truro College from autumn 2009.

For further details of both courses, and how to apply, contact: Roy Watson, Bournemouth and Poole College Programme Leader FdA Cultural Services 01202 205345, watsonr@bpc.ac.uk

Cath Camps, Truro College Programme Leader FdA Libraries, Museums and Archives 01872 267120, cathc@truropenwith.ac.uk

 

20,000 copies of a new leaflet to promote cyberLibrary and the free online resources available in public libraries in the SW, have been produced by SWRLS on behalf of members. It incorporates a simple membership form and will be distributed, initially, via local FE Colleges and Public Libraries. See a pdf version here: /assets/swrls cyberlibrary flyer v2.pdf

Welcome to the Four new organisations that have recently signed up as members of SWRLS:

Exeter College (SWRLS code 140)

Farnborough College of Technology (SWRLS code 139)

National Meteorological Library and Archive (SWRLS code 138)

South Devon College (SWRLS code 141)

 

SWRLS continues to grow, and now with 55 memebers it is always interested to hear from any other library related organisation that may wish to join us. Contact us by emailing director@swrls.org.uk for more details

 

 

 

 

This new South West Literature charity is now recruiting Trustees.

For further details and to download an application form, go to the new website at http://www.cypruswell.org/

 or contact: Cyprus Well on 01392 384315

Applications are due in by 17th July 2009. Informal interviews will be held at the Arts Council England, South West in Exeter on Thursday 23rd July 2009.

See the photos on our photo gallery!

Swindon’s £10million Central Library in Regent Circus has been officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. The building, which was given the accolade of Most Sustainable Building in the South-west last week by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in their 2009 regional awards, has boosted the number of visitors using Swindon’s town centre library by 45% since it was opened to the public in October 2008.

Congratulations to the new Swindon Central Library which has won a green award at the 2009 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South West awards.

The children’s story pod, (see it in the SWRLS photo gallery), at the library, won the Sustainability category.
As a category winner, the centre now automatically goes forward to the RICS national awards, winners of which will be announced in October and are presented by Kevin McCloud of Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme.

A new service to include pictures from SWRLS members and SWRLS events has been added to the site to allow sharing of resources.

Further pictures of each topic may be available, please contact the Director@swrls.org.uk for more information

You can now view copies of the presentations and the evaluation survey made at "Access all Areas", the E Resources seminar held last December, via this link to the Media Fire file sharing service http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=2ebbc7e6d2906ed31f8e0fff488e27e05a1d92e5753d59f9c95965eaa7bc68bc

There are 7 files in all, click on individual titles to download.