The LISC AGM was held today at the new Antrim Library when among the attendees were representatives from Higher and Further Education Libraries, School Libraries, Government Agencies and Departments and Archives.
The theme for the meeting was “The Research Landscape” and LISC Chair Kirby Porter was able to announce the establishment of two new LISC initiatives to support local research through the University of Ulster Master programme in Library and Information Management.
The first is the creation of a bursary worth £650 to support one student studying at Masters level on the course. This amounts to 50% of the full fee for the Masters modules. Full details of the criteria and application process will be announced shortly.
Secondly a prize of £150 will be awarded for one excellent dissertation per year.
Speakers at the AGM addressed both the local and wider context The local context was covered by presentations from four Masters students from the University of Ulster course, currently completing their dissertations in time for the submission deadline in December. Their research topics included:
- Teenagers’ use and non use of the public library and an exploration of the public libraries links with secondary schools in South Donegal.
- A case study on School Library and Personal Development
- Using emotional intelligence leadership skills when managing during organisational change
- Developing Library Services for older people with special emphasis on the baby boomer generation
Dr Hazel Hall, Executive Secretary of the LIS Research Coalition, then spoke about the wider context and the LIS Coalition response. (Download her presentation.)
The open discussion which followed threw up several ideas for dissemination of the local research as well as suggestions for further CPD events.
The LISC Annual Report for 2009-10 was also adopted and after lunch there was an opportunity to look around the library which opened early in 2010.
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