Winner (jointly awarded)
Quick Reads
Essex Libraries, with Adult Education, Essex County Council
Essex have developed an excellent partnership to target newly literate students who may need guidance in the selection of books to read.
The project demonstrates excellence all around. This has been achieved by sound planning and branding; and copy that is non-patronizing and inclusive. All this removes the perceived stigma out of adult learning.
Evidence of the project's success is illustrated by comments from the adult learners and their tutors - 'Quick Read books are nice and easy to read'…'involvement in the project has made a great impact on my students' are typical. There has been significant impact on Essex Libraries and proven benefits to the partners.
Winner (jointly awarded)
Readers
North Lincolnshire Libraries & Information Services on behalf of
Yorkshire & Humber Reading Promotion Network
The judges were impressed by the sheer scale of this entry, involving libraries throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region in the co-ordination of ten Reading Festivals.
The partnership extended to involve a large number of commercial organizations, major publishers and voluntary organizations. Yorkshire and Humberside are to be congratulated on enlisting the partnership of so many large and powerful organizations.
We were also impressed by the extensive press and media coverage and positive comments from partners and participants alike.
Reading festivals are not new, but the professional and meticulous execution of this project made the Yorkshire & Humberside Reading Promotion Network worthy of being a Winner of the Sponsorship & Partnership Category.
Highly Commended
Lighting up the Library
Blackpool Libraries with Blackpool Borough Council Illuminations
A chance remark has resulted in an innovative project to promote email and ICT facilities available in Blackpool Libraries. What better way to do this than use the town's major visitor attraction.
A partnership between Blackpool Libraries and Blackpool Borough Council's Illumination Department was established to create a tableau displayed near to the North Pier to promote email facilities available to residents and visitors. This was a one-off opportunity and it will be interesting to hear of ways in which they continue to develop the promotion of your valuable service.
This entry is highly commended for capitalizing on a spontaneous remark and for the use of an alternative marketing method appropriate to the locality.
Commended
A Naval Tradition
Plymouth Library Services, Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
This was a particularly good example of a partnership to promote the local studies collection. The project 'A Naval Tradition', was funded by the DCMS/Wolfson British History Challenge Fund.
Plymouth produced quality publications and printed publicity material which have all been linked by appropriate branding to identify the programme of organized walks, talks and exhibitions.
The programme of events was well received by the local community and judges were also impressed by the use of specially printed postcards to encourage participants to record their comments - all of which were positive.
The promotion has also extended beyond the local media to the professional library world.