NEWS
New partner for Green Libraries
SCONUL has become the latest organisa- tion to join the Green Libraries Partnership. The Society of College, National and Universities Libraries (SCONUL) repre- sents all university libraries in the UK and Ireland and will bring its experience and understanding to the cross-sector Green Libraries Partnership. The partnership is made up of CILIP, The British Library, Libraries Connected, Julie’s Bicycle and Arts Council England, and now SCONUL. The aim of the partnership is to ensure libraries are part of the long-term solution needed to tackle climate change. To find out more about the partnership visit cilip.
org.uk/aboutGreenLibraries.
New library for cash-strapped city
NOTTINGHAM City Council officially opened a brand new £10m library just days before issuing a Section 114 notice, mean- ing the council is effectively bankrupt. Spending on the library, which includes a cinema room and more than 180,000 books, had already been accounted for before the notice was issued. Nottingham Central Library has been partly funded by borrowing and was opened three years behind schedule. However, Council leader David Mellen believes it will be an asset for Nottingham, saying: “I think it is a good investment for our city.”
Swinton library closes due to RAAC
A LIBRARY that was earmarked for demo- lition has been closed and relocated early after a survey found it contained poten- tially dangerous Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Swinton Community Library, near Rotherham, is due to be replaced by a new one, which is set to open in the new year. However plans to close the library were brought forward following the discovery of RAAC, a building material that has been shown to deteriorate significantly over time.
Books and services have been moved to a temporary home at Swinton Civic Centre.
6 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL
CILIP CEO to leave position
CILIP Chief Executive Nick Poole will step down from the role at the end of March 2024.
Nick has been CEO for eight years and has helped the organisation through a series of important changes and challenges, help- ing to ensure a sustainable future for CILIP as the leading independent voice for the UK’s library, information and knowledge management profession. During that time CILIP has moved from its Ridgmount Street base to take up residence with the British Library, at the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. And the physical move has been matched by a shift in CILIP’s development as the UK’s leading professional body for library, knowledge and information professionals. Nick has personally overseen the
dev elopment of the We Are CILIP strat egy, and delivery of key initiatives including the launch of CILIP’s refreshed Code of Ethics, the Changing Lives programme promoting inclusive, participatory and socially-en- gaged library and knowledge services, and the Arts Council England-funded Manag- ing Safe and Inclusive Library Services: A Practical Guide.
The organisation has emerged from Covid with a renewed connection to the membership and profession, thanks
to its events, training and professional development opportunities. The new CILIP Conference launched in Birming ham this year, and there was also a successful Green Libraries conference in spring and, more recently, CILIP’s tech-focused Libraries Rewired Conference. Nick will move to the UK Video Game’s industry body Ukie, to take up the role of CEO from April. CILIP’s Chair of Trustee’s Sue Lacey Bryant said: “The CILIP Board and I thank Nick for the extraordinary com- mitment, expertise and professionalism with which he has led CILIP through a period of rapid changes. His work has raised the profile of both CILIP and the profession as a whole. We wish Nick every success in his future endeavours. “As a lasting legacy, and working closely with the Board, Nick has ensured our long-term financial sustainability as an Association, leading the sale of CILIP’s pre- vious premises and the winding-down of our legacy pension scheme. So, as we look forward, CILIP is in good financial health with an ambitious programme for the future and a strong staff team.” The search for a replacement has already started and Information Professional will share updates as soon as they are available.
Share your experience of new technology at NAG
A CALL for papers for next year’s NAG Public Library Forum and Seminar has been issued, with organisers looking to explore the Rise of Machines in library acquisitions. The National Acquisitions Group’s sum-
mer forum will look at the opportunities around new technology such as AI and machine learning. The aim is to ensure a smooth transition to new technology, bypassing or mitigating problems while creating new solutions that help to improve workflows and services.
Organisers are looking for stories of change and implementation of new tech- nology, saying: “Change requires transi- tion, such as migrating to a new library management system; a new reading list tool or installing/updating new secur- ity features such as RFID. How are we
embracing new technologies to support our roles and the service we provide to our students and the institution?” The submissions deadline for proposals is 2 February 2024, and suggested topics for papers include: lnew uses for existing technologies: Have you found new ways to use technology? l transformative technologies: Have you implemented a new piece of technology which has transformed your work or ser- vices? l back to basics: Have you experimented with a new technology, only to find it doesn’t deliver on its promises? l technology in the long term: Share your experience of working with a technology. For more details visit
https://nag.org.uk/call- for-papers.
December 2023
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