Council for Learning Resources in Colleges announces 3 prestigious award winners

The Library at Northampton College was awarded the CoLRiC 2019 Best Practice Award for demonstrating excellent practice in digital literacy. The DigiCap (Digital Capabilities) scheme is an excellent initiative helping to improve and develop IT skills and confidence in using new technology across all levels, from very basic to advanced.

Kate Brown, Learning Facilitator Coordinator at the College was delighted with the outcome:

“Winning the Best Practice Award means so much to everybody on the team. We’ve worked hard to deliver Digicap to as many students as possible; to ensure that they are prepared for the technological challenges they will face in employment. Digicap has raised the standard of digital literacy in our students and they are more likely to succeed in their chosen careers.”

Chichester College Group Libraries was awarded the CoLRiC 2019 Best Practice Award for demonstrating excellent practice in marketing and social media. The team has successfully utilised Twitter as a tool for internal advocacy and service growth; showcasing their services and embedding the library in the teaching and learning community.

Jo McKenna-Aspell, Library Assistant at the Chichester College Group says:

“The aim was to create an engaging Twitter presence that would re-energise service delivery and improve both the number and quality of interactions and engagement with students and staff. Twitter has been instrumental in bringing the wider community into the libraries and cementing their place at the heart of the College. We are so grateful that we have won this prestigious Best Practice Award in recognition of what we have achieved.”

  Bournemouth and Poole College’s Liz Organ was awarded the CoLRiC Jeff Cooper Award for Inspirational Information Professional of the Year for her work with students with special educational needs and disabilities. Her “Share a Story” initiative has made reading more accessible and attractive to students, inspiring their curiosity, and encouraging them to explore their reactions to situations in the wider world. Her interventions have helped students with both their social and literacy skills.

Deb Farrell, the College’s Library Manager comments:

“We are delighted that Liz has won this award recognising the commitment and work that she has put into making the Share a Story initiative such a success. It has been wonderful to see the high level of enthusiasm generated amongst the students as they develop in personal confidence and ability to read aloud.”

Liz McGettigan, Director of Digital Library and Cultural Experiences, SOLUS UK and keynote speaker at the conference issued an inspiring rally cry to the delegates. 

“To hell with being humble! We need to turn whispers into roars.” 

These three awards are proof positive of the ingenuity, proactivity and fight across the library and LRC sector.

CoLRiC Co-Chairs Mirna Peach and Corinne Walker conclude:

“CoLRiC is delighted to celebrate excellence and to recognise the efforts of both teams and individuals as they strive to deliver relevant and high-quality services during a time of austerity across the sector. Year on year we have honoured innovation with our prestigious awards. This year was no exception. Congratulations to our three winning entries, and to all the Colleges who nominated their colleagues.”

All three winning entries will feature in the next issue of CoLRiC Impact.