Libraries Week 2022
Wow, what a week! For Libraries Week 2022, we were celebrating the central role that libraries play in supporting life-long learning: showcasing how libraries across all sectors inspire learning for all and help individuals to unlock and fulfil their potential at every stage of life. Here’s a little of what we learned…
CILIP Scotland’s first #Library5 challenge of the week invited library lovers to share something that they have learned through their library. From Knit n Natter to Mindful Meditation and much more, we wanted to discover how Scotland’s libraries are supporting lifelong learning, and we started things off with a very valuable skill courtesy of our friends at Forth Valley Sensory Centre. From welcoming visitors to asking for/offering help, sharing favourite books and more, we learned some British Sign Language for libraries that we hope will provide library professionals across Scotland with a lifelong asset – learn our key Signs below and be sure to share your best efforts!
At West College Scotland Libraries, the learning never stops – both within students’ courses of study and beyond them! – while North Lanarkshire Libraries highlighted how their #LogintoLearn team provide learning opportunities in their libraries daily including ICDL courses, 1 to 1 support, digital tech demos or Ancestry support. From the other side of the Scots border, Fareham Libraries also shared their inspiring array of community groups that contribute to lifelong learning. Over at our amazing Academic & Research Libraries Group Scotland, libraries had taught their terrific tweeter everything they know about social media, while Preston Lodge Library pupil librarians showed that lifelong library love can start early.
After the extraordinary excitement of our inaugural social media takeovers last year – which may or may not have caused the internet itself to short circuit – we were thrilled to hand over the reins of CILIPS Twitter and Instagram to Dr Diane Pennington, Senior Lecturer in Information Science and the leader of the Information Engagement Group within the University of Strathclyde iSchool (and one of our wonderful CILIP Scotland Trustees). Diane treated us to everything from Scottish library rabbit holes to our perennial favourite hashtag, #PetsOfCILIPS – hello Poppy and Thistle! – alongside an always-welcome cameo from CILIPS favourite Damian Barr.
The first CILIPS event of several during the week was the launch of School Libraries Group Scotland’s much-anticipated ‘Managing a School Library Guide’. Rewatch below for invaluable advice from the SLGS committee and guest contributors on building inclusive collections, embedding Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools into your day-to-day activities and much more. Whether you’re a new professional, a new starter in school libraries, or a more experienced school librarian, SLG Scotland’s guide will ensure that you #NeverStopLearning.
Day Two dawned and with it a new #Library5 challenge – who amongst your colleagues or wider library community inspires you? Membership Officer Kirsten lost no time in nominating our President, National Librarian and all-round WINspiration Amina Shah, while North Lanarkshire shared some well-deserved praise for all their staff involved in giving back to their communities via Macmillan Coffee Mornings. Shetland Library was *slightly* distracted by the prospect of library love in the air, but Academic & Research Libraries Scotland shared a special shoutout to Jill, chair of the Further Education LIS Network where she encourages the sharing of good practice from colleagues across FE and beyond, inspiring them to #NeverStopLearning. Bellshill Academy Library highlighted their inspirational North Lanarkshire School Library colleagues – to support them as they face Council threats of cuts to posts, please see our Call to Action and sign the petition.
Others gave shoutouts to the wonderful Glasgow Women’s Library staff team including Dr Adele Patrick (another WINspiration superstar) and Sue John, speaker alongside GWL Librarian Wendy Kirk at our recent Banned Books Week webinar. And through the magical serendipity of Libraries Week, who was our Tuesday takeover? GWL themselves! This fascinating thread showcases the vital work of the GWL Adult Literacy & Numeracy Team – Debz, Dorothy and Donna – emphasising their aim to support women’s lifelong learning by providing a safe, empowering and welcoming space (for even more, see The Transformative Space of the Library report which used the wonderful Women’s Library as a case study).
As if all that wasn’t excitement enough, we concluded the day with the first-ever CILIPS Libraries Week quiz! It was a very close call as our branches and groups competed over an international library picture round, a fastest finger first CILIPS history/herstory treasure hunt, and a Who Said What in ‘I love my library’ quotes challenge. Eventually victorious were our brilliant branches with great groups like SLG Scotland and our Students & New Professionals Community coming in a close second. Best (or worst) of all was the Sesame Street Library Song we shared while adding up the scores. Please listen responsibly, folks, this earworm is very, very catchy!
Day Three’s #Library5 invited libraries to share what wonderful activities they had planned that day (or throughout the week) that were contributing to lifelong learning. Membership Officer Kirsten shared her BSL practice, inspired by Forth Valley Sensory Centre’s fantastic video – have you given it a try yet? North Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge Library was welcoming author Anne Donovan as part of their #NewTricks series while the presence of posh biscuits indicated that Bellshill Academy Library meant business as they prepared for a storytelling session – yum! ARLGS highlighted the new Wellbeing Hubs at NESCol’s three campus libraries, with plants, puzzles and more in addition to wellbeing collections, while Fareham Library shared all the fantastic (often free) courses on offer from Hampshire Library Service, both online and in local branches. Head of CILIPS Sean McNamara also added to Scotland’s lifelong learning by sharing with The Herald newspaper why we need our public libraries more than ever this #LibrariesWeek.
Next up in our terrific takeovers, it was the turn of Tanya Milligan, #ActuallyAutistic librarian who took to CILIPS Twitter to dispel misinformation (what our profession does best)! From emphasising that ‘disabled is not an insult’ to tackling clichés that surround the autistic spectrum, Tanya shared lots of helpful and thought-provoking resources, including the link to her outstanding session on Autism Inclusion for Libraries at the 2022 CILIPS Annual Conference. It was Ausome!
Libraries, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways… as National Poetry Day arrived, library professionals took to Twitter to share a few of their favourite verses, including the aptly-titled ‘Enquiry Desk’ by Andy Jackson. The talented team at North Lanarkshire Libraries even composed their own ode! In keeping with the day’s focus, our Thursday takeover was commandeered by none other than Scottish Poetry Library – sharing their series of exclusive poetry films inspired by this year’s environmental theme, educating us about circle poems, and celebrating ‘From the Bird’s Mouth, Bho Bheul an Eòin’ – a collaboration between artist Derek Robertson, Scottish Gaelic poet Rody Gorman and others. As the icing on our poetic cake, we were honoured to share Our Book Brethren by Paula Nicolson, a thoughtful blog post to accompany her terrific library-inspired poem of the same title that featured in our #LibrariesAreEssential campaign.
Last but certainly not least, on Day Five we challenged library lovers to share initiatives that are making a difference in the sector and enhancing our own lifelong learning. ARLGS confirmed that they have learned a lot this year – and it isn’t over yet! – with highlights including WINspiration and Libraries of Sanctuary (with a follow up event planned for next month). WCS Libraries also love to learn from their FE colleagues across Scotland and gave a special mention to SLIC’s Keep the Heid and Read! campaign last May. North Lanarkshire Libraries are likewise inspiring lifelong learning through their Black History Month displays: celebrating diversity in their communities while educating and inspiring future generations. Precisely one week later, CILIPS’s own Black History Month WINspiration would celebrate the story of decolonisation pioneer Dorothy Porter thanks to inspirational guest speaker Professor Zita Cristina Nunes.
And what collective of change-makers took over CILIPS social media for our final 2022 takeover? None other than the spectacular SNPC: our Students & New Professionals Community! From sharing some friendly faces to highlighting how they support our sector’s emerging leaders – including extensive career resource collections, fun networking events, the dynamic New Voices blog and much more – SNPC are working creatively and collaboratively to drive and diversify our sector. Eager to get involved? Of course you are! Learn more about how you can become part of this incredible committee…
To bring the week full circle and further infuse our outstanding professional community with fresh talent, we also held our Reasons to Join CILIP event on the Friday of Libraries Week. Watch again below to discover why joining CILIP and CILIPS can transform your lifelong learning at every stage of your library career.
Thank you so much to the stars of our Libraries Week, the CILIP Scotland community, for sharing their insights and ideas with such inspiring enthusiasm. We’ll #NeverStopLearning about this amazing sector – nor will we want to!
If we’ve missed a Libraries Week highlight – there were so many – please let us know at admin@cilips.org.uk and we’ll add as soon as possible. See you next year!