Northern Ireland

LISC INSPIRE

LISC INSPIRE is part of a national Inspire programme to open up library collections from all sectors to learners from 16 to 106. The LISC INSPIRE initiative has member libraries throughout Northern Ireland as well as some libraries based in the border counties. It was launched in February 2008 and includes 21 library organisations, over 130 libraries.

LISC Inspire has adopted the use of an Inspire Passport and which, after completion of a simple application form, is offered to anyone seeking information which their own library is unable to provide. The Inspire ‘passport’ gives access to all the member libraries’ collections – free – for reference purposes.

For more information about LISC Inspire, please go to the LISC INSPIRE website: www.liscni.co.uk/inspire.

LISC The Library and Information Services Council (LISC NI)

LISC NI is the umbrella body for libraries and information providers from the public, academic, government, voluntary and commercial sectors. LISC promotes high standards in library and information services throughout Northern Ireland by

  •  providing advice and consultation to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and to other Government Departments
  •  advocating on behalf of the whole library and information sector in Northern Ireland.
  •  promoting innovation, partnerships and the sharing of good practice among library and information providers.

NI-libraries.net

Libraries NI is the new public library service for Northern Ireland. The organisation aims to provide and promote a range of high quality library and information services for everyone in Northern Ireland.

The Academic and National Library Training Co-operative

This co-operative group was founded in 1995 with the aim of forming an ongoing co-operative training and development programme based on the training needs within member Irish academic and national libraries. ALTNAC covers libraries in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.  This training supplements each institution’s own programme and through joint group consultation aims to offer a wide range of training opportunities to library staff at an economical rate. Co-operative training also enables staff to meet colleagues from other institutions.

Library.ie

Library.ie which is managed by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna aims to be a first stop shop on the web for information relating to all types of libraries in Ireland.

Consortium of National and University Libraries (CONUL)

CONUL was established by the university libraries and the National Library of Ireland to promote co-operation among the member libraries and to provide a forum for discussion on matters of mutual interest.