LiS 2001 – buzzing with new ideas and innovations

Citation

(2002), "LiS 2001 – buzzing with new ideas and innovations", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 36 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2002.28036aab.011

LiS 2001 – buzzing with new ideas and innovations

LiS 2001 – buzzing with new ideas and innovations

According to a survey of visitors carried out by Farrugia Leo Research Consultancy, 80 per cent of visitors to the Library + information Show were personally involved in the selection and purchase of equipment for their library or organisation. Thus the 2001 Library + Information Show (LiS) maintained its position as the leading event for library and information managers and exhibitors alike.

Thousands of librarians from all over the country, representing all sectors of the profession including public, school, academic and corporate libraries, visited the show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham to catch up on the new developments in library resources from the leading suppliers in the UK and overseas, as well as learn about the crucial issues and latest initiatives affecting the profession. The show was packed with new products and initiatives from 143 exhibitors, ranging from library automation systems and furniture, shelving display equipment to self-issue systems and products for the visually impaired.

Talis Information Ltd enjoyed "another successful year with three days of almost constant visitors on stand, resulting in many good quality leads from current and potential customers", while Book Data reported "25 per cent more visitors than last year".

Another magnet for visitors was the Professional Development Events Programme, which addressed all the issues affecting the profession from reader development to social exclusion and e-books to library standards, and brought together the key figures of the library and information world to deliver informative presentations on each topic.

LiS has always attracted high profile speakers but for the first time this year representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the new strategic agency Resources took part in the lecture programme, which tackled many of the themes that the government has highlighted such as learning, access and inclusion. Keynote speaker was Grace Kempster, currently head of Libraries, Information, Heritage and Culture at Essex CC, but shortly to take up the post of director of Information Services Management at the British Council, who urged librarians "to play 'No more Mr Nice Guy' when campaigning on behalf of the service".

A special event was held to launch LiS 2002 (25-27 June 2002), which will be held at ExCeL, Europe's first smart venue, to offer its exhibitors and visitors the most advanced technology and facilities currently available. ExCeL, London's new £250 million events venue, is the first to be positioned for the twenty-first century and offers complete ICT connectivity, with an integrated technology and communications infrastructure throughout the centre. This state-of-the-art environment provides the ideal setting for the library and information sector, which is itself leading the way in the use of information technology.

"There was a real buzz at this year's show – with librarians from all over the UK taking the opportunity to have a considered and uninterrupted look at product developments and listen to high profile speakers discussing new library initiatives", said Sue Rickard, marketing manager at LiS.

For further information please contact: LiS, 2 Forge House, Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9DT, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1844 342894; Fax: +44 (0) 1844 346354; E-mail: lishow@resourcex.co.uk ; URL: www.lishow.co.uk