Ceredigion Libraries have all you need for Life in Great Britain!

Becoming a British citizen or deciding to settle permanently in this country is an important event. If you are applying for naturalisation as a British citizen or for indefinite leave to remain, you will need to show that you know about life in the UK.

One method for doing this is by taking the Life in the UK Test. Ceredigion libraries have been offering a FREE resource which will prepare applicants for the Life in the UK Test at every branch library. Now this resource is FREE to access from home. Just visit www.220soft.net/ceredigion/, all you need is your library card number. If you don’t have a library card you can get yours for free by visiting any library at Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Lampeter, Llandysul, New Quay and Tregaron.

This is part of a pilot project that is funded by, CyMAL, Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales a division of the Welsh assembly Government, as part of the Libraries for Life: Delivering a modern library service for Wales 2008-2011 programme.

Gregynog Colloquium 2009 Presentations Now Available!

Many of the presentations at the Gregynog Colloquium in June 2009 were captured for later viewing. These are now being made available online from the Colloquium website (under Programme): http://www.gregynog.ac.uk/HEWIT/index.asp?Page=2

Flash is required to view these presentations. In addition, media site requires Silverlight for non-IE browsers (e.g. Firefox). Internet Explorer can use windows media player if this is installed on the computer you are viewing this on. The presentations are being added as I receive permission from individual presenters; note that not all presentations were captured.

Welsh Libraries Conference Presentations

Presentations from the Welsh Libraries, Archives & Museums Conference are now online at:
http://www.cilip.org.uk/branches/byregion/wales/conference09

BRECON LIBRARY’S BIG 40

Brecon Library looks forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary of its official opening by Prince Charles which took place on Thursday July 23^rd 1969. Why not call in and re-live that momentous day through a collection of official photographs while the visitors book – signed by Prince Charles – will also be on display together with a report of the day’s proceedings from the Brecon and Radnor Express. So if you were part of the crowd lining Brecon’s streets that day do call in – we’d love to see you. Furthermore, thanks to the generosity of Roberto’s Restaurant, try our testing quiz with the winner lined up for a bottle of house wine and a lovely meal. The display runs from Monday July 20^th through to Saturday July 25^th during normal library opening hours with that all important quiz just ready and waiting.

Cadwyn Y Canolbarth Staff Conference

Cadwyn Y Canolbarth:

The Mid Wales Library and Information Partnership

Regional Staff Conference

On Wednesday 12^th August 2009 Cadwyn Y Canolbarth will be holding their second annual staff conference at the Roderic Bowen Library and Archive, University of Wales Lampeter between 10am and 4pm.

Come along for presentations on library.wales.org and to hear more about this year’s national marketing arts competition. John Snowden from 220 Soft will also be giving a presentation on the Life in Great Britain resource available at Coleg Powys and Ceredigion libraries.

For a detailed agenda of the day and to book a place please contact Sharon Crossan at Sharon.crossan@coleg-powys.ac.uk or phone 0845 4086 308.

Rôl newydd i Ruth Jones – hyrwyddo llyfrgelloedd Cymru / New role for Ruth Jones – championing Welsh libraries

Bydd yr actores a’r awdures Ruth Jones yn derbyn rôl newydd i hyrwyddo a gweithredu fel eiriolwr dros lyfrgelloedd Cymru.

Yn ystod 2009/10, bydd Ruth yn mynychu digwyddiadau, gan gymryd rhan mewn cyfweliadau yn y cyfryngau a chan roi sylwadau ar straeon o’r cyfryngau a helpu i lansio ymgyrch genedlaethol broffil uchel yn yr hydref.

Dywedodd: “Rwy’n hoff iawn o lyfrgelloedd, maent yn lleoedd ysbrydolgar ac rwy’n falch o ddod yn Hyrwyddwr Llyfrgelloedd dros lyfrgelloedd Cymru. Yn aml llyfrgelloedd yw canolfan y gymuned - sef hafan sy’n agored i bawb, o fabanod i blant bach i borwyr y we yn eu hoed a’u hamser a gallwch ymuno am ddim.

“Rwyf wedi treulio sawl awr mewn llyfrgelloedd cyhoeddus ac academaidd drwy gydol fy oes - yn darllen, yn ysgrifennu ac yn ymchwilio. Darganfûm y rhyngrwyd am y tro cyntaf mewn llyfrgell a byddwn yn annog unrhyw un nad yw wedi galw yn eu llyfrgell yn ddiweddar (neu byth!), i alw heibio.

“Dewch i gael sgwrs gyda’r staff i weld beth sydd ganddynt i’w gynnig – yn ogystal â channoedd o lyfrau gwych ar unrhyw bwnc dan haul am ddim, mae DVDs a CDS ar gael, mynediad i’r rhyngrwyd am ddim, dosbarthiadau a gweithgareddau.”

Yn ddiweddar cyhoeddodd y Gweinidog dros Dreftadaeth, Alun Ffred Jones, y lefel uchaf o arian a roddwyd erioed sef £3.5 miliwn yn 2009-10 ar gyfer datblygu rhwydwaith llyfrgelloedd Cymru. Mae’r rhaglen yn rhan o raglen Llyfrgelloedd am Oes dair blynedd a anelir at annog mwy o bobl i fanteisio ar y cyfleusterau a gwasanaethau gwell a newydd a ddarperir. Fel rhan o’r rhaglen, caiff adeiladau’r llyfrgell eu moderneiddio a bydd mynediad am ddim i wasanaethau ar-lein fel adnoddau olrhain hanes teulu.

Dywedodd Alun Ffred Jones: “Mae’n newyddion gwych bod Ruth wedi derbyn y rôl newydd hon yn ogystal ag ymddangos ar y llwyfan a’r sgrin. Rwy’n siŵr y bydd yn Hyrwyddwr Llyfrgell effeithiol iawn ac y bydd yn darbwyllo’r rheiny sydd o farn nad yw llyfrgelloedd yn mynd â’u bryd nhw i ailystyried. Mae llyfrgelloedd wrth wraidd eu cymunedau lleol ac maent yn cynnig y cyfle i bobl wella eu sgiliau a datblygu eu gwybodaeth – gan sicrhau eu bod ar flaen y gad o ran y farchnad swyddi.”

Dyma’r tro cyntaf i lyfrgelloedd yng Nghymru fod â Hyrwyddwr Llyfrgell enwog ac mae’n dilyn llwyddiant ymgyrch Dyddiau Da llynedd a lansiwyd gan Ruth yn Llyfrgell y Barri lle y gwnaeth nifer o enwogion roi eu cefnogaeth i godi ymwybyddiaeth am werth llyfrgelloedd.

Actress and writer Ruth Jones is taking on a new role to promote and act as a spokesperson for Welsh libraries.

During 2009/10, Ruth will be attending events, taking part in media interviews and commenting on media stories about libraries and helping launch a high profile national campaign in the autumn.

She commented: “I’m a big fan of libraries, they are inspiring places and I’m proud to have been asked to become the Library Champion for Welsh libraries. Libraries are often the centre of the community – a haven that is open to all, from babies and toddlers to silver surfers and it’s free to join.

“I have spent many hours in public and academic libraries throughout my life - reading, writing and researching. Libraries are where I first discovered the internet and I would urge anyone who hasn’t been into their library lately (or ever!), take a look inside.

“Have a chat with the staff to see what is on offer – as well as hundreds of wonderful books on just about any subject for free, there are DVDs and CDs available, free internet access, classes and activities.”

The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, recently announced a record level of funding of £3.5 million in 2009-10 to develop the Welsh library network. The funding is part of the three year Libraries for Life programme aimed at attracting more people to benefit from the new improved facilities and services provided. As part of the programme, library buildings will be modernised and free access to online services such as family history resources will be provided.

Alun Ffred Jones said: “It’s great news that Ruth has taken on this new role in addition to those of stage and screen. I am sure that she will be a very effective Library Champion and will persuade those who think libraries aren’t for them to think again. Libraries are at the heart of their local communities and offer people the chance to improve their skills and develop their knowledge – giving them an added edge in the jobs market.”

This is the first time libraries in Wales have had a celebrity Library Champion and follows on from the success of last year’s Happy Days campaign which was launched by Ruth in Barry Library and enlisted the support of a number of celebrities to raise awareness of the value of libraries.

Workforce Development Grants

Improve your skills!

Workforce Development Grants

The purpose of these grants is to help improve the skills, qualifications and confidence of the library workforce in Wales.

Bursaries will be available for:

· Leadership Development
· MSc by Distance Learning Qualification
· Foundation Degree
· Vocational Qualifications

Leadership Bursaries

CyMAL will provide bursaries of up to £2,000 each (inc. VAT) for middle/senior managers from libraries in Wales to undertake leadership development programmes.

There are a wide range of relevant programmes and learning opportunities available in Wales; Public Services Management Wales provide a range of leadership development opportunities, programme details can be accessed via <http://wales.gov.uk/psmwsubsite/psmw/bursary/?lang=en>

Examples of other leadership programmes are:

• Fforwm - MA in Leadership and Management (FE) <http://www.fforwm.ac.uk/index/services/professionaldevelopment.html>
• Future Leaders Programme for FE and HE Managers

<http://www.lfhe.ac.uk/support/flp/>

• The Clore Leadership Programme and Short Courses http://www.cloreleadership.org/>
  

MSc qualifications (Distance Learning)

CyMAL will provide bursaries for library staff working in Wales to obtain bursaries of up to £3,000 each (inc. VAT) to undertake MSc Information and Library Management or an MSc Information & Library Studies by distance learning. The bursary is intended to assist with funding course fees for the first year of study. You may wish to apply for a BSc Information and Libraries Studies although preference will be given to applications for MSc qualifications.

Three institutions in the UK currently offer courses by distance learning:

• Aberystwyth University
• Northumbria University, Newcastle
• Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
  

Further information and links can be obtained via the CILIP website:
<http://www.cilip.org.uk/qualificationschartership/Wheretostudy>

Please contact the appropriate admissions departments for full entry requirements, and for detailed information on the content and mode of delivery. The admissions department will also be able to tell you about any waiting lists for places.

Vocational Qualifications

Information and Library Services NVQs Level 2 and 3
Bursaries of up to £350 per candidate will be provided towards registration and assessment costs to candidates from libraries in Wales undertaking Information and Library Services NVQs Level 2 and 3. Other relevant NVQs for the library workplace e.g. Advice and Guidance may also be considered. Please contact Denise Lavis, CyMAL Training and Development Adviser if you wish to discuss a different NVQ.

The bursaries will be available from April 2009, and will be provided direct to Information & Library Service NVQ Assessment Centres on a limited basis.

In addition, to widen the access to workplace assessment of Information & Library Service NVQs support of up to £350 is also available for candidates undertaking the Learning & Development NVQ A1/A2 Assessor Awards and the V1 Internal Verifier Award (under the same conditions as Information & Library Service NVQ grants).

There is no requirement for individual candidates or their employers to complete a grant application to CyMAL. The course providers will apply to CyMAL on your behalf.

Further information regarding NVQs is available from the course providers.

North Wales
Coleg Llandrillo, Llandudno Road, Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay,
Contact: Andrew Eynon
Tel: 01492 542342, e-mail: a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk
<http://www.llandrillo.ac.uk/courses/coursesearch.asp?SA=Library>

South Wales
Qualltech Services Ltd, The QED Centre, Main Avenue, Treforest.
Contact: Natalie Thomas
Tel: 01443 841405, email: natalie.thomas@qualtech.co.uk

Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Applications of ICT in Libraries Bursaries

Two new Professional Development Awards have been created for UK public library staff: The Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Applications of ICT in Libraries. Both are UK-wide flexible vocational qualifications. Bursaries of up to £500 each are available on first come first served basis to candidates from libraries in Wales. The awards are available as taught courses or through distance learning.

The bursaries will be provided direct to ICTL Assessment Centres on a limited basis. The availability of grant must be established with CyMAL before a candidate is enrolled.

Further course details and a link to the ICTL Assessment Centre in Wales at Coleg Llandrillo can be obtained from ICTL website <http://www.ictl.org.uk/> or contact Andrew Eynon, Coleg Llandrillo, Llandudno Road, Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay, Tel: 01492 542342, e-mail: a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk

Foundation Degree qualification

Bursaries are now available for a Foundation degree in Library and Information Studies to library staff working in Wales. CyMAL will provide bursaries of up to £1,000 each to undertake LIS Foundation degrees. The bursary is intended to assist with funding course fees for the first year of study.

Further information about Foundation degrees can be obtained from:

Paul Jeorrett, Glyndwr University
p.jeorrett@glyndwr.ac.uk <mailto:p.jeorrett@glyndwr.ac.uk> - 01978 293250

or

Andrew Eynon, Coleg Llandrillo
a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk <mailto:a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk> - 01492 542342

All Workforce Development Grant

All Workforce Development Grants will be available on a first come first served basis. The bursaries will be paid direct to employers (or course providers) NOT to individuals.

Grant application forms for employers/course providers are available online via the CyMAL website at <http://www.cymal.wales.gov.uk> and click on grants 2009-10

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Gwellwch eich sgiliau!

Grantiau Datblygu’r Gweithlu

Diben y grantiau hyn yw helpu i wella sgiliau, cymwysterau a hyder gweithlu llyfrgelloedd yng Nghymru.

Bydd bwrsariaethau ar gael ar gyfer:

• Datblygiad arweinyddiaeth
• MSc trwy gymhwyster Dysgu o Bell
• Cymwysterau galwedigaethol
• Cymhwyster Gradd Sylfaen
  

Bwrsariaethau Arweinyddiaeth

Bydd CyMAL yn darparu bwrsariaethau hyd at £2,000 yr un (yn cynnwys TAW) ar gyfer rheolwyr canolig/uwch llyfrgelloedd yng Nghymru i’w galluogi i ddilyn rhaglenni datblygu arweinyddiaeth.

Mae amrywiaeth eang o gyfleoedd dysgu a rhaglenni perthnasol ar gael yng Nghymru; mae Rheoli yng Ngwasanaeth Cyhoeddus Cymru (RhNgCC), yn darparu amrywiaeth o gyfleon datblygu arweinyddiaeth, gellir cael manylion trwy ymweld â: <http://wales.gov.uk/psmwsubsite/psmw/bursary/?lang=cy>

Dyma enghreifftiau o raglenni eraill:

• Fforwm - MA mewn Arwain a Rheoli (AB) <http://www.fforwm.ac.uk/index/services/professionaldevelopment.html>
• Rhaglen Arweinwyr y Dyfodol i Reolwyr AB ac AU <http://www.lfhe.ac.uk/support/flp/>
• Cyrsiau Byr a Rhaglen Arweinyddiaeth Clore

http://www.cloreleadership.org/

Cymwysterau MSc (Dysgu o Bell)

Bydd CyMAL yn darparu bwrsariaethau i alluogi staff llyfrgell sy’n gweithio yng Nghymru i gael bwrsariaethau o hyd at £3,000 yr un (yn cynnwys TAW) i ddilyn cwrs MSc Rheoli Llyfrgelloedd a Gwybodaeth neu MSc Astudiaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth trwy ddysgu o bell. Bwriad y bwrsari yw cynorthwyo gydag ariannu ffioedd blwyddyn gyntaf y cwrs. Efallai yr hoffech chi wneud cais am BSc Astudiaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth, ond rhoddir ffafriaeth i geisiadau am gymwysterau MSc.

Ar hyn o bryd, mae tri sefydliad yn y DU yn cynnig cyrsiau dysgu o bell:

• Prifysgol Aberystwyth
• Prifysgol Northumbria, Newcastle
• Prifysgol Robert Gordon, Aberdeen
  

Am wybodaeth bellach a chysylltiadau, ewch i wefan CILIP:
<http://www.cilip.org.uk/qualificationschartership/Wheretostudy>

Am ragor o wybodaeth am y gofynion derbyn llawn, y cynnwys a’r dull darparu, cysylltwch â’r adrannau derbyn priodol. Bydd yr adran dderbyn hefyd yn gallu rhoi gwybod i chi am unrhyw restri aros am lefydd.

Cymwysterau Galwedigaethol

NVQ Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth Lefel 2 a 3
Darperir bwrsariaethau hyd at £350 yr ymgeisydd tuag at gostau cofrestru ac asesu ar gyfer ymgeiswyr o lyfrgelloedd yng Nghymru sy’n dilyn cyrsiau NVQ Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth Lefel 2 a 3. Caiff cyrsiau NVQ perthnasol eraill ar gyfer y llyfrgell e.e. Cyngor a Chanllawiau, eu hystyried hefyd. Os hoffech chi drafod gwahanol NVQ, cysylltwch â Denise Lavis, Cynghorydd Hyfforddi a Datblygu CyMAL.

Bydd y bwrsariaethau ar gael o fis Ebrill 2009 ymlaen, a chânt eu darparu’n uniongyrchol i Ganolfannau Asesu NVQ Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth ar sail gyfyngedig.

Hefyd, i ehangu’r mynediad i asesu NVQ Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth yn y gweithle, mae cymorth o hyd at £350 hefyd ar gael i ymgeiswyr sy’n dilyn Dyfarniadau Aseswr A1/A2 NVQ Dysgu a Datblygu a’r Dyfarniad Gwiriwr Mewnol V1 (o dan yr un amodau â grantiau NVQ Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth).

Nid yw’n ofynnol i ymgeiswyr unigol na’u cyflogwyr gyflwyno cais am grant i CyMAL. Bydd darparwyr y cwrs yn gwneud cais i CyMAL ar eich rhan.

Mae gwybodaeth bellach am gyrsiau NVQ ar gael gan ddarparwyr y cyrsiau.

Y Gogledd
Coleg Llandrillo, Ffordd Llandudno, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Bae Colwyn
Cyswllt: Andrew Eynon
Ffôn: 01492 542342, e-bost: a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk
<http://www.llandrillo.ac.uk/courses/coursesearch.asp?SA=Library>
Y De
Qualltech Services Cyf, Canolfan QED, Y Brif Rodfa, Trefforest.
Cyswllt: Natalie Thomas
Ffôn: 01443 841405, e-bost: natalie.thomas@qualtech.co.uk
<http://www.qualtech.co.uk/index.php>

Bwrsariaethau Diploma a Diploma Uwch mewn Defnyddio TGCh mewn Llyfrgelloedd
Mae dau Ddyfarniad Datblygu Proffesiynol newydd wedi’u creu ar gyfer staff llyfrgelloedd cyhoeddus yn y DU: Y Diploma a’r Diploma Uwch mewn Defnyddio TGCh mewn Llyfrgelloedd. Mae’r ddau yn gymwysterau galwedigaethol hyblyg ledled y DU. Mae bwrsariaethau hyd at £500 yr un ar gael ar sail ‘y cyntaf i’r felin...’ i ymgeiswyr o lyfrgelloedd yng Nghymru. Mae’r bwrsari ar gael ar gyfer cyrsiau yn y coleg neu ddysgu o bell.

Darperir y bwrsariaethau’n uniongyrchol i Ganolfannau Asesu ICTL ar sail gyfyngedig. Dylid sefydlu cyfanswm y grant sydd ar gael gyda CyMAL cyn ymrestru ymgeisydd.

Mae manylion pellach am gyrsiau a chyswllt i Ganolfan Asesu ICTL yng Nghymru yng Ngholeg Llandrillo ar gael ar wefan ICTL yn <http://www.ictl.org.uk/> Fel arall, cysylltwch ag Andrew Eynon, Coleg Llandrillo, Ffordd Llandudno, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Bae Colwyn

Ffôn: 01492 542342, e-bost: a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk

Cymhwyster Gradd Sylfaen

Bydd CyMAL yn darparu bwrsariaethau i alluogi staff llyfrgell sy’n gweithio yng Nghymru i gael bwrsariaethau o hyd at £1,000 yr un i ddilyn cwrs cymhwyster gradd sylfaen mewn Llyfrgelloedd a Gwybodaeth. Bwriad y bwrsari yw cynorthwyo gydag ariannu ffioedd blwyddyn gyntaf y cwrs.

Am fwy of manylion cysylltwch â:

Paul Jeorrett, Prifysgol Glyndwr
p.jeorrett@glyndwr.ac.uk <mailto:p.jeorrett@glyndwr.ac.uk> - 01978 293250

neu

Andrew Eynon, Coleg Llandrillo
a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk <mailto:a.eynon@llandrillo.ac.uk> - 01492 542342

Pob Grant Gweithlu

Bydd y grantiau ar gyfer yr holl weithgareddau ar gael ar sail ‘y cyntaf i’r felin...’
Telir y bwrsariaethau’n uniongyrchol i gyflogwyr (neu ddarparwyr y cyrsiau), NID i unigolion.
Mae Ffurflenni cais i gyflogwyr/ddarparwyr y cyrsiau ar gael ar wefan CyMAL <http://www.cymal.wales.gov.uk> a cliciwch ar Grantiau 2009/10.

Kind Regards

Carys Roberts
Collections, Standards & Training Officer/ Swyddog Casgliadau, Safonau a Hyfforddiant
Welsh Assembly Government / Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru
CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales / Amgueddfeydd Archifau a Llyfrgelloedd
Unit 10, Science Park
Aberystwyth SY23 3AH
fax: 01970 610223 ( 01970 613643 : carys.roberts3@wales.gsi.gov.uk