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Price: Free
Book tickets here Online, 4-5pm, Monday 17th November School and public libraries play an absolutely essential role in helping people engage with reading materials, but a vital part of this is the role of the skilled and trained librarians. Without them, the library cannot truly fulfil its potential for engaging readers of all ages. For example, qualified, well-trained and motivated full-time school librarians are key to higher student reading scores and multiple literacies… Sean McNamara, CILIPS Director – Engage
In the UK, there are continued concerns about declines in reading (books) for pleasure. The Future of Books and Reading paper aims to provide a positive and hopeful narrative to frame future thinking, discussion and action, to support more children, young people and adults to enjoy the empowering and enriching benefits of reading. Research reveals a long, strong herstory of women – the majority of both library professionals and patrons – turning to reading as a means of making sense of their lives, even and especially within socio-economic systems designed by and for men. In ‘menstrual literacy’, for instance, libraries across Scotland combine their statutory duty to provide free period products with engaging, evidence-based reading collections that challenge stigma and misinformation around menstruation, menstrual health and menopause… Kirsten MacQuarrie, CILIPS Sector Development Manager – Empower
The paper draws upon the knowledge and expertise of individuals spanning university, literacy, library, publishing, festival, and museum sectors, including contributions from the entire CILIPS team: synthesising academic and grey literature alongside the voices of children, young people and adults, to focus thinking around five themes: Enjoy, Engage, Empower, Enrich and Expand. Libraries are often the last free, non-commercial space, supporting all members of society. We have a panoptic view of society and the canon of research must expand to encompass this universal offer, showcasing how we lessen inequity amongst users and reduce barriers to access vital services. The non-judgemental space entitles users to expand their notions of ‘what counts’ as reading, as library professionals are there to support and guide users’ interests… Leah Higgins, CILIPS Digital Officer – Expand
In this webinar, especially for Book Week Scotland, the authors hope to discuss these five themes in relation to library professionals’ perspectives and experiences, to better understand their interests and priorities in relation to the future of books and reading. Free, online and open to all – please register below to receive the Teams link in advance. Book tickets here Professor Sarah McGeown Sarah McGeown is Professor of Literacy (Psychology & Education) and co-Director of the Literacy Lab at the University of Edinburgh. Her research aims to increase reading motivation and engagement across the lifespan, working in collaboration with professionals from diverse sectors (e.g., education, library, literacy) to achieve this.
Dr Patrick Errington Patrick Errington is a poet, translator, and multidisciplinary researcher. He is currently a Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, co-Director of the Literacy Lab, and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow based at the University of Edinburgh where his large-scale, transdisciplinary research project ‘Rewriting Wor(l)ds’ is investigating the links between poetry, creative engagement, and wellbeing for young people.
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