Libraries play a critical role in supporting organisational goals and strategies. Our resources and services have demonstrable value and impact helping create and sustain an institution-wide lifelong learning environment.
CoLRiC Executive Committee
A significant CoLRiC membership benefit is the eligibility to nominate a team or individual for one of our two prestigious annual awards. We are committed to acknowledging and celebrating boundary pushing innovation across the FE and Sixth Form College sector. We are looking for applications from teams or individuals that can demonstrate the value and impact of their service provision in any capacity. We want to showcase creativity, resourcefulness, enterprise and ingenuity in the delivery of library and learning resource services and are delighted to announce that 2022 nominations are now open for the:
- CoLRiC Innovative Practice Award
- Jeff Cooper Inspirational Information Professional of the Year Award
The CoLRiC Innovative Practice Award (CIPA) is for teams that can demonstrate innovation and success.
The Jeff Cooper Inspirational Information Professional of the Year Award is named in honour of CoLRiC’s founder and presented to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to student development and support.
Applications are reviewed by a judging panel comprising sector experts and members of CoLRiC’s Executive Committee. The awards submission process will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the value and impact of your service and its contribution to teaching, learning and the student experience. Even if your submission is not successful, we hope to feature all your initiatives in future issues of CoLRiC Impact and showcase them in our online seminar programme.
In 2021 we were looking for inspiring and creative contributions and innovative responses to the lockdown, and we ended the year on a celebratory high note, when engraved glass award trophies and certificates were formally presented to the winners in December. This year we are keen to encourage submissions on initiatives in any shape or form, whether business as usual enhancements or Covid responses.
CoLRiC Innovative Practice Award
It’s fantastic to get this recognition for a library project and
demonstrates the role the Library Service can play in supporting teaching and learning and improving outcomes for our learners. Karen Hurley, Library Services Manager, on behalf of the Trafford College Group Library Team, 2022 CIPA winners
We are looking for evidence of inspiring and creative teamwork and initiatives. Did you launch a new service or collaborate with colleagues in other student support departments? Innovative practice, sustainability, and the level of impact on teaching and learning will be key themes the judging panel will be looking out for. The world is your oyster in terms of topics, but examples may include initiatives embracing digital/information literacy, reading and numeracy, marketing and social media, student and teaching staff engagement and off campus access to electronic resources and services, for example.
IS Oxford is sponsoring the 2022 CIPA and we are delighted to have Emma Duffield, Sales Manager for IS Oxford, on the judging panel.
It’s a pleasure to be involved with both sponsoring and judging this award.
The Jeff Cooper Inspirational Information Professional of the Year Award
Thank you so very much for this fantastic award, I am so honoured and proud to have received it and to celebrate it with my team who have been so supportive. It has been an amazing opportunity.
Emma Luby, senior library assistant at Bradford College, Inspirational Information Professional of the year, 2021
Do you work with a colleague who has made an exceptional contribution to the workplace? The Jeff Cooper Award for Inspirational Information Professional of the Year is named in honour of CoLRiC’s founder and will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to change lives and empower students.
To be acknowledged by one’s peers is the greatest professional compliment. Jeff Cooper
We are looking for 2022 nominations for a colleague in your Library/Learning Resources Service who has a proven commitment to meeting the needs of students in any capacity: academic, personal or vocational, who engage with, and cultivate, productive collaborative partnerships with academic staff and student support services.
The nominee can be at any level in the service, from library assistant to senior manager if they are inspirational, enthusiastic team players or leaders, creative, resourceful and enterprising and dedicated to going that extra mile to deliver excellence and innovation.
Go for it!
We encourage as many of you as possible to nominate yourselves or other teams and individuals for these 2022 awards. Many participating Colleges have expressed how beneficial the nomination process was for them. It is a great opportunity to reflect on 2021 and celebrate your achievements.
Gathering testimonials from academic staff was a positive experience. It is great to reflect on what you have achieved, as – by necessity – we spend our days focused on the immediate moment. At a time when we feel quite vulnerable, it has given us a real uplift.
What will you get out of this?
There will be a fanfare, publicity, certificates and trophies for the winners, and we will celebrate your achievements in our e-newsletter CoLRiC Impact and across our social media accounts. All nominations will be showcased in our publications and online seminars.
How do you submit?
Any College Library/Learning Resources Service that is a current member of CoLRiC is eligible to submit a nomination for either award.
One application (for each Award) will be accepted from your college, authorised by the Head of Service and Vice Principal (or equivalent).
The CoLRiC Admin Team will email you all the relevant supporting documentation. If you require further advice and information, please contact Gary and Val at: colric@colric.org.uk.
Timelines
- Submissions are open from Friday 20th May 2022
- The closing date is 6 pm on Friday 29th July 2022.
- The winner will be chosen from all submissions and notified by the end of August.
- The winner will be announced early in September.
All entries will be shortlisted by the CoLRiC Executive Committee and winners chosen by a judging panel including an independent external judge.