Purpose
To encourage library and information practitioners in the FE, HE and research sector who are at the start of their professional careers or who have not previously published a substantial contribution to the professional literature to write an article for publication.
Background
Library and information professionals work in a fast-moving environment which requires the continuous development of services to meet the changing needs of users. Writing for publication helps individuals to reflect on and learn from their experience and then to share their experience and learning with colleagues for mutual benefit. The profession needs continually to refresh, update and extend the body of knowledge and understanding that underpins effective practice; individual practitioners have a vital role to play in shaping and advancing professional thinking in relation to all aspects of library and information services and their management.
The award was suggested to the UCRG Committee following discussion at the 2003 UCRG Members Day on the theme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In her talk on Skills and Competencies for the Networked Library, Sheila Corrall (as Past President of CILIP) identified ‘reading, thinking and writing about professional, management and educational developments’ as an important strand of CPD and drew attention to the recent decline in the number of practitioners contributing to the professional literature. In the later discussion session participants supported the idea of a new award to stimulate practitioners to write for publication.
Eligibility
· Articles should be a minimum of 2,500 words; there is no maximum length, but it should be appropriate to the subject matter and authors should write concisely in a style suitable for an academic or professional journal.
· Articles may be individually authored or jointly written with one other person; in cases of joint authorship, both authors must meet all the eligibility requirements.
· Authors must have gained a degree in library/information management or become a Certified Affiliate of CILIP no more than three years prior to the submission deadline and/or have not previously published an article or other contribution to the literature of library and information management of more than 2,500 words.
· Authors must be paid-up members of the CILIP ARLG (formerly UC&R/CoFHE), currently working in a university, college or research library or information service.
Award details
The winner(s) will be the author(s) of the article considered by the judges to be the most valuable contribution to professional thinking and/or practice in the FE, HE and research library sector. In reaching their decision the judges will take account of factors such as the use of evidence, display of insight, clarity of expression and style of presentation.
The winner(s) will be awarded a framed certificate and a cash prize of £250 (donated annually by Sheila Corrall). Additional certificates may be awarded to highly commended entries at the discretion of the judges. The winning entry will be either published in Relay or submitted to a suitable LIS journal, depending on the length and subject-matter of the article.
Mentoring is available on request to provide support and guidance for authors through the process if needed, including initial feedback on the proposed topic, advice on approach/structure and comments on early drafts.
The award is bring offered in 2012 with a deadline of Monday 23 April. The winner with be announced at the 2012 ARLG conference in Newcastle.
Examples of article types
· Case-study accounts/reports of library service enhancements or initiatives, offering insights into the process and lessons learned from the experience.
· State-of-the-art reviews/surveys of how library and information managers are dealing with particular challenges, implementing new systems, etc.
· Explanations of new topics and concepts including theories or practices imported from other fields and their application to library and information services.
· Appraisals of the impact (actual or potential) of political, economic, social, technological or other environmental forces on library and information services.
· Reflections on past or current professional practices, drawing on personal experience and/or published work, with an evaluation of their effectiveness.
· Discussions of managerial, professional or technical problems affecting library and information services and suggestions for solving them.
· Ideas for improving or changing the way library and information services are planned, managed or delivered.
Award Judging Panel
|
Prof Sheila Corrall (Chair) |
Professor of Librarianship & Information Management, University of Sheffield |
|
Helen Westmancoat |
Deputy University Librarian at York St John University; Editor, Relay |
|
Helen Fallon |
Deputy Librarian, National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Founder of ANLTC Writers Blog |
|
Dr Graham Walton |
Service Development Manager, Loughborough University Library; Editor, New Review of Academic Librarianship |
|
Christopher Cipkin (Secretary) |
Faculty of Arts & Humanities Team Manager, University of Reading Library; Secretary, UCRG National Committee |
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