Values Incorporated Kent Libraries

Kent

Libraries and Archives

Libraries Change Lives Award Winners 2011

“Making the Difference”, an innovative project by Kent County Council’s library service which welcomes adults with learning disabilities into libraries, and helps them to lead more active lives has won CILIP’s prestigious Libraries Change Lives Award, one of the leading accolades in the library and information world.

Children’s author and prominent library campaigner, Alan Gibbons announced the result of the Award at The Umbrella Conference at the University of Hatfield on Wednesday 13^th July.

In her acceptance speech Cath Anley Head of Kent Library and Archives services praised the work of many community partners who had worked alongside them. Specially singled out was the work of Simon Goldsmith the Development Manager for Community Futures Kent who has worked with

Kent

libraries on opening access for the past 5 years. Simon said:

"It has been a wonderful journey working with Kent Libraries. The strength of this application was the breadth of work undertaken and sign up to a broad definition of access to include access to buildings, access to support in libraries and access to information. We have been delighted to be part of designing and funding some of the projects featured in the winning application. I wish Kent Libraries great success in taking this work forward in the years to come”

John Taylor and Emily Knight trustees for Community Futures Kent appeared on the project nomination film for their work around mystery shopping in libraries and were part of the Kent team at the University of Hertfordshire to hear the winner announced. John delivered a inspiring joint acceptance speech with Cath Anley and explained why libraries are important to him and his local community.

Community Futures Kent aims to build on its successful partnership with Kent Libraries and promote the work it does with other public services.