Do you work with a colleague who has made an exceptional contribution to the workplace?

Announcing the 2019 CoLRiC Jeff Cooper Award for

Inspirational Information Professional of the Year

‘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.’ Mirna Peach and Corinne Walker, the Co-Chairs of CoLRiC

‘To be acknowledged by one’s peers is the greatest professional compliment.’ Jeff Cooper

In honour of our 25^th anniversary last year, CoLRiC awarded the Jeff Cooper award to the learning resources service ‘For Your information’ (FYi), part of the Learning Resource Centre at Blackpool Sixth Form College. The prestigious award is named in honour of CoLRiC’s founder, and FYi received it because the service had placed itself at the heart of the College’s strategic aim to support the development of independent learning. At the presentation, Helen Crowther, Library Manager at Blackpool SFC, commented: ‘FYi demonstrates a clear desire to change the lives of students through raising the awareness of information and empowerment through gaining knowledge.’

As we look ahead to the next twenty-five years, CoLRiC has decided to relaunch the Jeff Cooper Award and present it every year to an individual who demonstrates a similar desire to change lives and empower students.

We’re looking for nominations for a colleague in your Library/Learning Resource Centre team who you admire and who has a proven commitment to:

• Meeting the needs of students in any capacity: academic, personal or vocational
• Engaging with, and cultivating, productive collaborative partnerships with academic staff and student support services

The nominee can be at any level in level in the service, from library assistant to senior manager.

They need to be:

• Inspirational and enthusiastic
• A team player and/or leader
• Creative, resourceful and enterprising
• Dedicated to going that extra mile to deliver excellence and innovation

How do you apply?

• Any College library/learning resources service that is a current member of CoLRiC is eligible to apply for the CoLRiC Jeff Cooper Inspirational Information Professional of the Year Award
• Email [email protected] to request a nomination form
• One application will be accepted from each organisation, signed by the proposer and authorised by the Head of Service. (If the Head of Service is proposing a colleague, it should be authorised by the Vice Principal or equivalent.)
• All submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel made up of members of the CoLRiC Executive Committee. An independent external judge will choose the winning entry from a shortlist.

Guidance

The nomination should be accompanied by a qualifying statement or citation articulating the individual’s exceptional contribution to the service and organisation beyond their job description or role. The word count is 500 words or less.

• How have they enhanced service delivery?
• How have they engaged staff and students?
• How have they raised the profile of the service internally and externally?
• What projects or initiatives have they contributed to or led?
• What professional development activities have they undertaken in pursuit of service enhancement?

Two supplementary documents can accompany the submission. For example, a CV or project overview.

You cannot nominate yourself for this award.

What will the winner get out of this?

The winner will receive a trophy, certificate and cheque for £150 to spend on library and learning resources. You will also:

• Receive national recognition for your contribution across the FE and Sixth Form College Sector
• Be featured in our e-bulletin CoLRiC Impact
• Be invited to our 2019 Conference in Birmingham on Friday June 21^st.

Timelines

• Submissions open from Monday 25^th February 2019
• The closing date is Friday 26^th April 2019
• The winner will be chosen from all submissions and notified by Friday 31^st May 2019
• The award formally will be announced on Friday June 21st 2019 at the CoLRiC Conference – ‘The Road Ahead – Being Stronger Together’