If you’ve not yet entered this year’s Libraries Change Lives award there is no time like the present. It’s a great way of sharing good practice and getting recognition for the work your service does to have a positive impact on lives.
Libraries Change Lives Award is celebrating 20 years in 2012. It first started in 1992 and it has gone from strength to strength and is recognised by CILIP and Community Services Group as their ‘jewel in the crown’ and has had a significant impact on the library world and local communities nationwide.
All of the winning and shortlisted projects over the last 20 years have benefited from the national and local recognition of the value of their local service to their local communities.
Cath Anley, Head of Libraries and Archives, Kent County Council, winner of Libraries Change Lives Award 2011 with Making the Difference: Opportunities for Adults With Learning Disabilities (Kent Libraries and Archives)
‘In Kent we have used the Libraries Change Lives model to set up our own internal award with the winner submitted to the national awards. The impact on colleagues from across the authority when they hear the stories of these projects is immense. All staff and partners were thrilled by our success and re-energised in their work to change people's lives.’
Read more about Kent’s winning project in CSG Quarterly due out at the end of this month. If you’re not signed up to receive CSG Quarterly you can register at http://tinyurl.com/7vck7jk
Liz McGettigan, Libraries and Information Services Manager, The City of Edinburgh Council :
‘As past winners of the Libraries Change Lives Award for Saughton Prison Library 2010 and Sighthill Youth Project 2006 and as Finalists for the Reading Champion 2009 Edinburgh knows the value of the award. It has really helped us to demonstrate the Edinburgh team’s innovative and our “making a difference” ethos. The award demonstrates the commitment and passion of library staff and the wide range of activities that libraries provide. The award has raised the service profile and has contributed to the huge support we have from the council and our public. This profile and support is especially important as libraries are facing very challenging times. Edinburgh is building 2 new hub libraries and refurbishing the others and I see an optimistic future for Edinburgh’s libraries and our continuing commitment to award winning libraries and information services won't waver.’
The winning library service receives a trophy and prize money of £4,000, whilst the other two finalists each receives prize money of £1,500.
Entries close on Monday February 13th
For more information go to www.cilip.org.uk/lcla or contact Linda Constable, Chair of Judging Panel.