Media Releases

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE LIBRARIES CHANGE LIVES AWARD

The Libraries Change Lives Award, which opens for entries today, is celebrating its  tenth anniversary in 2002. Since 1992 it has been promoting good practice, recognising innovation and celebrating the achievements of grass roots projects and frontline staff. It is run by The Library Association and its Community Services Group and is sponsored for the fifth year running by the Library + information Show (LiS).

The £4,000 Award is given to an innovative community project developed by a library service in partnership with another community agency or agencies.  It recognizes the vital role which libraries play in combating social inclusion, promoting lifelong learning and improving the quality of people’s lives through imaginative initiatives such as the 2001 winner, Merton’s Refugee Service.

 “Experience over the years shows that winning or being shortlisted for this prestigious Award dramatically changes the lives of the staff and users involved in the running of the service,” said Philip Wark, Chair of the Judging Panel.  “National recognition and validation of work being carried out in often less than ideal circumstances, rewards the motivation and dedication of everyone involved.”

Library services from all sectors and their partners have until 1 February 2002 to enter the Award. Three finalists will be invited to attend a special ceremony during the Library + information at the new ExCel Events Venue in London’s Docklands, 25-27 June 2000. The winner will receive a cheque for £4,000 and a trophy. Two highly commended projects will receive a certificate and £1000.

Gospatric Home, Chairman of LiS said, “ LiS is proud to sponsor the Libraries Change Lives Award once again. It highlights the real difference that libraries can make to their communities if they put vision, energy, initiative and partnership into action.  In the 10 year history of the Award we have seen good ideas generated in any one library spread to many across the nation.”

Entry forms are available from Library Association Marketing Tel: 020 7255 0650 Textphone: 020 7255 0505.  An electronic version can be downloaded from The Library Association’s Web site: www.la-hq.org.uk

For further information contact:

Louisa Myatt, The Library Association
Tel: 020 7255 0650; Fax: 020 7255 0501
E-mail: louisa.myatt@la-hq.org.uk

Important notes to Editors

• It is highly desirable that where mention of the Libraries Change Lives Award is made, credit should be given to the Library + information Show who sponsor the Award.
• The Libraries Change Lives Award was formerly known as the Community Initiative Award and was sponsored by Holt Jackson from 1992-1997.
• The Library Association is the leading professional body for librarians and information managers. It has 24,000 members who work in all sectors, including business and industry, further and higher education, schools, local and central government departments and agencies, the health service, the voluntary sector and national public libraries.
• The Community Services Group of The Library Association works to promote equal access for all communities to library and information services to combat disadvantage.
• The Library + information Show will be held 25-27 June 2002 at the Excel Exhibition Centre, Docklands, London.

28 September 2001