Wednesday, February 1st, 2012Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, has been presented with hundreds of ‘Love your Library’ postcards from Welsh Women’s Institutes. The postcards began with “I Love Libraries because….” and have been filled in by WI members across Wales, sharing their messages about why libraries are important to them.
The Chair of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals in Wales, Karen Gibbins, spoke at the special Love Your Libraries event which took place at the Welsh Assembly, she said:
“The Love Your Libraries event has been a very positive opportunity to get together with WI and other parties who recognise how important it is that we support libraries in Wales and raise the profile of National Libraries Day on Saturday 4th February. The Minister Huw Lewis AM and other AMs showed a reassuring level of support for libraries at a Welsh Government level.”
Huw Lewis said, “Our libraries offer something for the whole family. They inspire our children to read, help people develop their computer skills and offer community events for the whole family. Our Libraries Inspire strategy outlines how we will continue to support Welsh libraries, such as modernising buildings, helping develop new services such as e-books and helping increase the opportunities for learning such as getting online for the first time.”
WI Wales Chair Margaret Lloyd Jones also talked about the WI’s Love your Libraries Campaign – which highlights the need to protect, value and use local libraries. She said:
“The WI has organised today’s event to reinforce the important role that libraries play in local communities and to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday, 4th February. As an educational movement, WI members clearly recognise the worth that local library services bring to communities, often in isolated areas, and believe that it is vital that they speak up for libraries”.
National Libraries Day on Saturday 4th February is a day dedicated to celebrating all types of libraries across the UK.
Library users new and old are being encouraged to go along to their local library and find out about the great services on offer – from book loans and homework clubs to advice on starting a business and how to get online. Regular users are being asked to bring a friend and give them the chance to speak to library staff and find out exactly what services are available locally.
It recognises the work done in school, college, university, workplace and public libraries to promote learning, literacy and the enjoyment of reading to all. It is supported by a range of twenty-five organisations including the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, the Reading Agency, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, library campaigners and publishers.
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Welsh language version to follow
Press contacts:
Mandy Powell, Policy Officer
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Wales
Sefydliad Siartredig Llyfrgellwyr a Gweithwyr Gwybodaeth Cymru
Mobile: 07837 032 536
Email: mandy.powell@cilip.org.uk
About National Libraries Day:
Mark Taylor, Director of External Relations
The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals
Tel: 020 7255 0654
Mobile: 07792 635 305
Email: mark.taylor@cilip.org.uk
About the Welsh Women’s Institute:
Sarah Thomas
Public Affairs Officer, NFWI Wales
Tel: 029 2022 1712
Email: s.thomas@nfwi-wales.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. CILIP’s vision is a fair and economically prosperous society underpinned by literacy, access to information and the transfer of knowledge. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. Visit www.cilip.org.uk for more information.
2. National Libraries Day is devoted to all types of libraries, library users, staff and supporters across the UK. It takes place on Saturday 4th February and the week leading up to it. www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk
Map and list of events: /www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/get-involved/add-your-event/
Logos and posters are available to download: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/downloads/
Our supporters: www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/supporters/
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/149328731838191/
Keep up to date on Twitter using #NLD12 or follow @NatLibrariesDay
3. The National Federation of Women’s Institutes is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK with more than 208,000 members in 6,500 WIs.
In Wales there are 16,000 members belonging to about 500 WIs. It plays a unique role in enabling women to develop new skills, giving them opportunities to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities, and provides wide-ranging activities for members to get involved in.
In June 2011, delegates at the AGM of the NFWI passed a resolution urging “H.M. Government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential local educational and information resource”.
For further information visit www.theWI.org.uk
