The new Welsh Librarian of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the contribution of librarians and information professionals to contemporary society in Wales and beyond. Awarded to an individual librarian or information professional, this award champions the achievements, impacts and innovation of those who make a significant difference to either the communities which they serve or to the profession in Wales. The Award is administered by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Wales, and is sponsored by SirsiDynix – worldwide library technology specialists.
We are calling for nominations for librarians / information professionals from all sectors of work. The overall winner, the Welsh Librarian of the Year, will be awarded a £500 cash prize.
Barbara Pacut, SirsiDynix EMEA Sales Director, said, “The librarian plays a key role in the function of libraries in our communities, a fact that can often be overlooked in discussions and debates around buildings and cultural resources. It is the librarian who shapes the character of a library, and who drives for its success. SirsiDynix is delighted to sponsor the Welsh Librarian of the Year Award in its first year, recognising the important contribution of an individual and as an advocate for the profession.”
Karen Gibbins, Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales, and Principal Librarian, Swansea Public Libraries notes, “At a time when there are news reports of library service cuts it’s great that CILIP Cymru Wales shouts loudly in recognition of highly skilled, dedicated and innovative librarians and information professionals. Our colleagues are constantly pushing at boundaries, enabling library users access to the information that they need in formats that work for the user, tackling the digital information divide, serving all equally, furthering knowledge and understanding, enabling greater engagement in society, adding and enabling pleasure and interest in so many peoples’ lives”.
Deadline for submission of nominations is Thursday 28 March 2013. Nominations can be made at http://fs3.formsite.com/cilip/form189/index.html (English version).
This Award is administered by CILIP Cymru Wales, part of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, and is enabled though the kind sponsorship and support of SirsiDynix. The judging panel will be appointed by CILIP Cymru Wales. The sector winners and overall Welsh Librarian of the Year will be announced at the CILIP Cymru Wales Annual Conference on 16th May 2013 in Cardiff.
For further information contact:
Stephen Gregory
Policy Officer, Wales (Maternity Cover)
Direct Number: 07837 032536
CILIP Head Office: 020 7255 0500
stephen.gregory@cilip.org.uk
CILIP Cymru Wales
Bute Library
Cardiff University
PO Box 430
Cardiff. CF24 0DE
Notes for editors
1. CILIP Cymru Wales represents Welsh CILIP members. CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. Visit www.cilip.org.uk for more information.
2. SirsiDynix connects people with knowledge at more than 23,000 libraries around the world. Through library management technology and search and discovery tools, libraries using SirsiDynix technology bring relevant resources and the power of knowledge to their users and communities. SirsiDynix technology is architected to be open, scalable and robust, offering a complete solution out-of-the-box, and unparalleled flexibility through APIs and web services. Complemented by the most experienced training, consulting and support staff in the industry, SirsiDynix helps libraries create tomorrow’s libraries, today. www.sirsidynix.com