The newest episode of the CILIP Scotland Podcast brings you a reflective episode, as we explore what libraries mean to us as a complement to CILIP’s Libraries Change Lives Week, hear about NHS for Scotland’s Knowledge Network Redesign, and take a closer look at what changes might take place for library services given the change in government post-election.

CILIP Scotland Director Sean McNamara talks the audience through the new political landscape which library and information services are faced with, explaining the practical implications and what changes we might expect in the coming years. Following this, your hosts Kirsten, Sean and Leah reflect on how the role of libraries in their lives have personally and professionally changed them. We welcome special guests in the form of our CILIP colleagues Chief Development Officer Jo Cornish, and Chief Executive Officer Louis Coiffait-Gunn, to share how libraries have supported them in their journey to where they are now, leading the UK’s library sector body.

In a similarly reflective tone, we also welcome Donna Watson, Knowledge Manager for Knowledge Services at NHS Education for Scotland. Donna shares the experience of her team in redesigning The Knowledge Network website. Explaining what user testing looked like, what the reception of the new website has been, and what tips the team would share for anyone else taking on a similar project.

With special thanks to our special contributors, Donna Watson & the team at NES Knowledge Services, Jo Cornish and Louis Coiffait-Gunn!

Thanks for tuning in! If you'd like to get in touch to be a guest, or to suggest a topic for the team to discuss, please email admin@cilips.org.uk.

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Instagram: @cilip_scotland

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Website: www.cilips.org.uk

Welcome to the very first CILIP Scotland Podcast takeover, featuring the CILIPS Students and New Professionals Community! Taking the reins in the podcast studio for the first time, Chaeli, Matthew and Filipa were keen to share with the audience their reflections on starting their professional career in the Library and Information sector post-graduation.

Defacto host for the episode Chaeli Brown is currently an Information Scientist at ThinkAnalytics. Matthew Ferrie has entered into his first role as Information Assistant at the Craiglockhart Library at Edinburgh Napier University. Both Matthew and Chaeli are Events Coordinators for the SNPC, having ran events such as an interview tips event with Falkirk Libraries, and library tour with Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons and Glasgow Women’s Library alongside the CILIPS Local Studies group LocScot. Filipa Pedroso is currently spending her time post-graduation in School Libraries as a Graduate Library Assistant in London. She is the former Social Media Coordinator for SNPC.

All three are experiencing very different fields of library work, and in this conversation they bring out the parallels of their work (namely frustration with printers), and how they’ve translated the skills and knowledge gathered through their degrees to practical applications and people skills.

If you’d like to find out more about SNPC, you can find them on Instagram: @cilips_snpc Twitter/X: @CILIPS_SNPC, or by emailing: snpc@cilips.org.uk. Thank you to Chaeli, Matthew and Filipa for their contribution to the episode!

Thanks for tuning in! If you'd like to get in touch to be a guest, or to suggest a topic for the team to discuss, please email admin@cilips.org.uk.

Give us a follow on our socials too!

Instagram: @cilip_scotland

Twitter/X: @CILIPScotland

Website: www.cilips.org.uk

Part two of Scotland’s Library Advocacy Story continues on CILIP Scotland's journey to mobilise and support librarians, information professionals and the communities they serve to best advocate for their vital library services.

We began by introducing the Save Aberdeen Library Campaigners behind the fight to save six libraries and a swimming pool from closure in 2023. Laurie Anne Mackay and Hayden Lorimer began by introducing themselves and how they became involved in the campaign in Aberdeen, so go back and listen to part one if you haven’t already!

Another key character in this story is Mike Dailly, Principal Solicitor and Solicitor Advocate at Glasgow’s Govan Law Centre. In the previous episode, Mike shared his love of libraries and why he feels it’s important that legal protections come into play to support libraries to thrive as crucial community infrastructure. He began to tell us how he became involved with the Save Aberdeen Libraries Campaign, and clearly outlines the legal framework that can support communities and campaigners in their efforts.

With many thanks to Hayden, Laurie and Mike, as well as those involved in the Save Aberdeen Libraries Campaign and Govan Law Centre.

Don’t forget to subscribe!

Thanks for tuning in! If you'd like to get in touch to be a guest, or to suggest a topic for the team to discuss, please email admin@cilips.org.uk.

Follow on our socials too, where you can find updates, petitions and advocacy support for Scotland’s Libraries:

Instagram: @cilip_scotland

X: @CILIPScotland

Website: www.cilips.org.uk

Govan Law Centre X: @GovanLawCentre

Govan Law Centre Website: https://govanlawcentre.org/

Save Aberdeen Libraries X: @SaveAbdnLibs

Save Aberdeen Libraries Instagram: @SaveAbdnLibs

Please note opinions stated by guest contributors may not reflect the view of CILIPS or CILIP.

Music: bensound.com

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