> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
> 7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
> 
> Tel: 020 7255 0500  Textphone: 020 7255 0505          Fax: 020 7255 0501  E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> 
> MEDIA RELEASE
> Monday 13 January 2003
> For immediate release
> (Please copy to online discussion lists)
> 
> LIBRARY MANAGEMENT TEAMS SCOOP TWO OUT OF FOUR TOP AWARD NOMINATIONS
> 
> Stockton and Sutton library services shortlisted by Local Government Chronicle judges 
> 
> Library management teams have secured two out of the four shortlisted places for the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Management Team of the Year Award.  Stockton Borough Libraries and Sutton> '> s Library, Heritage & Registration Services will compete against two other local authority management teams for this sought-after award, and the winner will be announced at a dinner at Le Meridien Grosvenor House on March 17.
> 
> "> This is most welcome recognition of the quality of service being offered by public libraries,> ">  says CILIP> '> s Chief Executive Bob McKee.  > "> All too often, libraries are the target of unjustified negative comment, and it> '> s good to see such an authoritative source as LGC acknowledging the first rate job that libraries can do, sometimes under difficult circumstances.> "> 
> 
>  > "> We take pride in the contribution we make to underpinning education and lifelong learning, widening participation in culture, embracing social inclusion and supporting health and regeneration,> ">  says Stockton> '> s entry, adding that the service has gone from strength to strength, consistently demonstrating what can be achieved when management and front line staff work together in a flexible, collaborative environment.  Sutton> '> s library service, which had both its Charter Mark and its Investors in People status reconfirmed in 2001-02, says: > "> We are acknowledged nationally as pace-setters within our own disciplines, and play a full and active part in our professional bodies.  We have pioneered customer-focused initiatives such as Sunday openings and widening access to meet the needs of our multi-cultural community.> "> 
> 
> Both library authorities also won the coveted Beacon Council status in 2002, and the Government is impressed with the ability of library services to network, co-operate and achieve much with limited resources.  > "> This new recognition from LGC should serve as a timely rebuff to ill-informed people who are all too ready to sound off against public libraries in both the trade and national press,> ">  Dr McKee adds.  > "> It> '> s time we followed LGC> '> s lead by celebrating what they have achieved and resolving to ensure that they are better resourced to achieve even more in the future.> ">   
> 
> Contact:      Tim Owen, Head of External Relations.
>               Tel: 020 7255 0652.     Email: [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> Notes to Editors
> 
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with around 23,000 members working in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries.
> 
> CILIP> '> s goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all its Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready and timely access to the information they need.
> 
> - Ends -
> 
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - www.cilip.org.uk
> 
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