**Apologies for cross posting**
With public libraries in Scotland attracting over 30 million visitors per year and academic libraries attracting 12.8 million, the Scottish Library and Information Council acknowledged the achievements of eighteen libraries for their commitment to providing high quality services, at the inaugural Scottish Library Excellence Awards on Tuesday 18 January.
Libraries from across Scotland received awards at an award ceremony presented by Chair of the SLIC board, Christine May which took place at the Scottish Parliament last night.
The awards were made following the publication of the latest round of Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM) reports, a peer-reviewed self-evaluation tool where services are rated on a six-point scale to identify key strengths and weaknesses. The results of which are used to inform the development of an action plan for improvement, to ensure that public libraries provide the services that local people require.
Dumfries and Galloway and East Renfrewshire achieved overall ratings of excellent, with a further thirteen achieving very good ratings for service provision. Awards were also made for Innovation, Shared Services and Services to Users.
Commenting on the awards, Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: "Scotland's public libraries are a valuable community resource, providing access to knowledge, learning and culture. They can be enjoyed by everyone and provide a diverse range of services - from reading for pleasure to education courses to wi-fi access - which can have a positive impact on the cultural health of the community.
"These awards recognise excellence in Scotland's libraries and acknowledge the hard work of those involved in reaching such a high standard. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the award winners."
Elaine Fulton, Director of the Scottish Library and Information Council added: “The provision of library services is crucial to ensure that people have the support they need to develop their skills, realise their aspirations and contribute to the economic growth and well-being of the country.
“At a time when services are under scrutiny because of the pressures on public finances, it is important that we celebrate the value they add to communities and individuals.
“These awards demonstrate the commitment of library staff to delivering new, high quality, innovative services to ensure that communities have access to the information and advice that they need.”
Award winners
Innovation
Dundee College
For the development of PADDI - the Portable Access Device and Development Initiative with the support of JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) Regional Support Centre (N&E). The initiative provides Open Source software on a memory stick which allows the user to carry learning and resources applications between different computers.
Shared Services
The Scottish Consortium of University and Research Libraries
University libraries and the National Library of Scotland have worked together under their cooperative organisation SCURL on various cooperative projects which enhance the student experience. This includes the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library which gives all students and staff access to a wide range of electronic journals.
Users Award
University of Glasgow
The university came top of the National Student Survey, an Ipsos MORI survey which questions students about their academic experiences, including satisfaction with teaching, learning resources and personal development.
PLQIM Awards for Excellence
* Dumfries and Galloway
* East Renfrewshire
PLQIM Awards - Highly Commended
* Aberdeenshire
* Dumfries and Galloway
* Dundee
* East Dunbartonshire
* East Renfrewshire
* Fife
* Moray
* North Ayrshire
* Orkney
* Shetland
* South Lanarkshire
* Stirling
* West Dunbartonshire
