The President’s Blog
SCL President, Nicky Parker, reports on the development of libraries in the UK and abroad.
Nicky Parker talks about the budget
Posted on 25 June 2010
In the challenging times ahead for local government with pressure on all budgets, Heads of Library Services have an opportunity, to reposition their services. By keeping the fundamental principles of reading, learning and information at the core and by working in partnership with others,
Fantastic new library facilities in York
Posted on 28 May 2010
I am very pleased to announce that the York Explore Library Learning Centre re-opened on the 24th May 2010. This great 21st century world class public library facility showcases how public libraries continue to innovate and evolve to be relevant and beneficial to users. It
Libraries – demonstrating success
Posted on 26 May 2010
CIPFA recently published 'Public Library statistics for 20008/09' which demonstrates how important and successful public libraries are in the UK. The statistics show that book borrowing has risen for first time in a decade and library web visits are up almost 50%. Libraries, as we know,
Pushing Boundaries
Posted on 12 January 2010
I'm excited to be attending the Edge 2010 conference at Edinburgh Castle in February. Edge 2010 will highlight how libraries and information services have modernised and improved and are key to local authorities, e-government, learning, the regeneration of cities and digital inclusion. In the
Libraries help people access information about their health
Posted on 16 December 2009
Public libraries offer access to free information about anything you would want to know. Recently SCL signed an MOU with the NHS on health information in libraries. Libraries across the UK have been organising health fairs and fitness days. In Barnsley, the queues
High Speed Broadband in Libraries
Posted on 9 December 2009
This week the MLA announced that public libraries can now have greater access to high speed broadband via JANET education and research network, ten times faster than what most libraries in England have now. I endorsed this announcement on behalf of SCL because libraries
A week of conferences
Posted on 11 October 2009
I'm just recovering from a very busy week dashing around the country. I always take too much with me and end up struggling with heavy suitcases and bags. Big thanks to Cath and Sarah who helped me on and off trains!! Wednesday morning
Libraries on the agenda at the conservative party conference
Posted on 6 October 2009
It's 21.39pm and we are sitting round the table in an apartment hotel in Manchester planning our breakfast briefing at the conservative party conference. This is our second party conference, in March we were in Harrogate at the Liberal Democrat Conference developing our
To close or not to close
Posted on 13 August 2009
I recently spoke about library closures on the Simon Mayo show , along with writer Alan Gibbons and Yinnon Ezra from Hampshire. This is an important question, and one that local councils should always approach armed with plenty of research. It is a sad