International Affairs, was an opportunity to reflect on the density and richness of our diverse and vibrant communi- ties. Cardiff University’s Sara Huws explored the powerful role of libraries in community and political activism, before Kristine Chapman (National Museum Wales) shared highlights from the recent WHELF (a consortium of all HE libraries in Wales) Excluded Voices international conference. Concluding was author Norena Shopland with practical and generous tips on how we can all do our bit to tease out the LGBTQIA+ histories hidden across our collections. Our second Keynote was Saskia Scheltjens, Head of Research Services at the Rijksmuseum: “From Open to FAIR: the art of digital cultural heritage in the world”. The Rijksmuseum leads the world with its bold approach to open data and Saskia steered delegates on a captivating journey to explore the principles of FAIR Data and the chal- lenges ahead for libraries and the wider GLAM sector.
Digital Wales
Andrew Green, former National Librarian of Wales, chaired the next session on Digital Wales. Scott Waby (National Library of Wales) began with
an overview of how changes to digitisation workflows to support remote working led to a record year in productivity. The digital theme continued with Daniel Dyboski-Bryant (Educators in VR) and an insight into the application of virtual and augmented realities to transform library services, and Mererid Boswell (Books Council of Wales) who shared a remarkable programme to establish a new commercial model to create 1,000 new ebooks in Welsh. Concluding the panel were Amy Staniforth (CILIP Cymru Wales) and Kate Lomax (Artefacto) on an initi- ative to create a participatory archive of our sector’s personal experiences during the pandemic, now archived with People’s Collection Wales.
The final panel, chaired by Martin Pol- lard (Learned Society of Wales), explored the impact of Wales’ information profes- sionals across the world. Wyn Thomas, from Carmarthenshire, gave fascinating insight into his role as University Librar- ian at the American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia and their quest to rebuild education, culture and learning following Khamer Rouge’s dictatorship. Pembrokeshire’s Sarah Sparham (HMP Northumberland) gave a compelling talk about her work to drive literacy and well-
being programmes across a fragile and invisible prison community during a pandemic. Sian Williams (Swansea Uni- versity) and Alan Vaughan Hughes (Cardiff University) gave further insight into the impact of our people beyond Wales – from the USA to Australia to working with the UK Government on literacy programmes with Syrian exiles in Istanbul to partici- pation in LIBER’s Emerging Leaders Programme.
It would not be a conference without a celebration and it was a delight to hear from the joint winners of our 2020 Wales Library Team of the Year Award – NHS Wales and Library Knowledge Service, and Newtown Area Library – and a stage to launch our 2021 campaign. The deadline for nominations for the award was last month, with the winners due to be announced at this year’s CILIP Cymru Wales AGM on 4 November. Information available on our website.
This year’s conference was a rollercoaster of mixed emotions – reactive pragmatism, bold vision, and stealth confidence – and CILIP Cymru Wales is humbled to share the voices, energy and ingenuity of our people from all sectors across Wales. All conference talks and sessions are avail- able online at
https://tinyurl.com/yvnj36u8 IP
October-November 2021
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