http://demcointeriors.co.uk Demco Limited offers specialist supplies, furniture and innovative design for libraries, study spaces, and learning resource centres http://demcointeriors.co.uk/images/logo.jpg http://demcointeriors.co.uk http://demcointeriors.co.uk/Times-Education-Award http://demcointeriors.co.uk/Times-Education-Award Andy Parker, sales and marketing director, Demco Interiors, presents a trophy to  Newcastle University Library, winners of the Demco sponsored, Outstanding Library Team Award category of the Times Higher Education Leadership Management Awards 2011.        The awards are designed to celebrate the sector’s leadership, management, financial and business skills.  The Oustanding Library Team award aims to recognise outstanding work within library and information services departments.  The Newcastle University Library’s award was for a project that has given students greater power to determine the books that the University buys.     Andy Parker:   “We were delighted to be able to present the award to the Outstanding Newcastle Library University team for the innovation they have shown in putting students at the centre of their library service with their Ebook library project.   Our congratulations go to all the shortlisted entries who so well demonstrate the creative developments taking place in academic libraries all over the country.  It has been a great opportunity for us to be part of the THE  Awards and encourages us to continue to design inspirational and innovative library spaces from which such outstanding services can be delivered. ”     Caroline Brazier, director of scholarships and collections at the British Library and one of the award judges said:  “This year’s entries in the library category showcase the wide range of strategic and technological developments under way across the sector. The Newcastle entry stands out because it put students right at the heart of changing one of the most fundamental library services and points the way forward for transformation and improvement in access to information”.     The award was presented at a Gala awards evening held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London. http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award The shortlist for the SLA School Library Design Award 2011, sponsored by Demco Interiors, has been announced. The five finalists (in no particular order) are:   The Rosendale Library Bus, London Simon Balle School, Hertford St John's School, Marlborough St Mary's School, Stockport The Elms School, Long Eaton, Notts   The shortlist was selected by a  panel who judged all the entries  across a set of criteria:  inviting/improved library image; space planning; educational objectives; technology and engagement; consultation.   The panel was impressed by the quality of the entries and admitted that it was a difficult task shortlisting six from the high level and quality of entrants.   Representatives of the panel are now visiting each school and the winner will be announced at an exciting awards ceremony in London and will share the stage with the 2011 School Librarian of the Year Award Winner. The winner and runners up will all  win products for their libraries  donated by Demco Interiors.   The Award is a new initiative, supported by the School Library Association and sponsored by Demco Interiors, to  highlight the innovation, commitment, flair and foresight found in school libraries across the UK and to set future standards for the recognition of excellence in school library design.   http://demcointeriors.co.uk/big-school-makeover http://demcointeriors.co.uk/big-school-makeover Campion School in Northamptonshire celebrates the opening of its new learning resource centre, transformed in five days by the Big School Makeover run by the British Council for School Environments. Ty Goddard, Director BCSE (pictured left) and Steve Beasant, Demco Interiors (right) pictured at the launch of the Big School Makeover of the Learning Resource Centre at Campion School, Northamptonshire   Local and national firms, including Wilmott Dixon and Travis Perkins offered their expertise and services.  Demco Interiors was delighted to be involved with the project and provided all the bays of shelving. The original designs for the makeover were submitted by Year 8 students as part of a competition run by the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.  Over 20 entries were received from schools all over Northamptonshire.  The Big Makeover team had only five days to redecorate, rebuild, carpet, furnish and transform the space which students  had called ‘a depressing place where no-one wanted to go’ into a bright, vibrant library facility.   At the opening ceremony, Bob Clayton, Headteacher, said that he was proud of the students and thanked the Big School Makeover, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo and all the suppliers for creating a facility ‘that would help to transform learning for the school’.   Lynn King, Head Librarian was over the moon with the new library and was delighted with the new shelving which ‘seemed to have absorbed all the stock with its space saving design’.   Other features include an auditorium, a quiet pod, individual and group study spaces, a laptop bar, IT hub, comfy seating and storage spaces.   As well as their support of the Big School Makeover Demco is sponsoring the SLA Library Design Award 2011 whose aim is to support and promote better school library design. http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-finalists http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-finalists The three school libraries selected as finalists in the SLA Library Design Awards 2011, sponsored by Demco Interiors,  are (in no particular order) :   • The Elms School, Long Eaton• The Rosendale Library Bus, London• St John’s School, Marlborough   The winner and two highly commended finalists will be announced at the School Libraries Celebration Day on Monday 3rd October 2011 at the Mermaid Centre, London.  Prize vouchers, from Demco’s sister brand LFC and Gresswell, and certificates will be presented by distinguished author Kevin Crossley-Holland.  The finalists were selected by a judging panel after an in-depth assessment of all the entries across a set of design guidelines, followed by visits to all the shortlisted schools and interviews with the school librarians.  Citations for each of the finalists including images of these exceptional libraries can be found at www.sla.org.uk/library-design-awards.php      The panels of judges were:  Geoff Duber education, libraries and learning consultant and past Chair of the SLA;  Anne-Marie Tarter, consultant and UK school library trainer and previous SLA School Librarian of the Year Award winner and Rob Stone, regional sales manager, Demco Interiors.   Andy Parker,  director of sales and marketing, Demco Interiors said:  “ While Demco is not a political or campaigning company, we are committed to supporting school libraries and are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the School Library Association Library Design Award 2011.   Good school library design is very close to our heart and therefore we look forward to our continued sponsorship of the award in 2012.   Our thanks go to the SLA for holding the Award, all the school libraries who submitted entries and also to the panel of judges for their professionalism in assessing a high standard of entries.  Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.”   Tricia Adams, director of the SLA, said:  “It is good to work in partnership with a company like Demco Interiors on such an exciting new award in the school library world”.   Entry for the SLA Library Design Award 2012 is now open.  Entry forms and guidelines are available at www.sla.org.uk. http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-winners http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-winners The Rosendale Primary School Library Bus was announced as the winner of the SLA Library Design Award 2011, sponsored by Demco Interiors.  Runners up were (in alphabetical order) The Elms School, Long Eaton and St John’s School Marlborough.   The winning library was announced  in conjunction with the SLA School Librarian of the Year Award at the School Libraries Celebration Day, held at The Mermaid Centre, London and organised by The School Library Association.   Main image Rosendale Primary School (from left to right):  James Smith (Architect), Rachel Bannermann (Garden Designer),  Andy Parker (Director Sales & Marketing, Demco), Kate Gorely (Design and Project Co-ordinator), Neil Hopkin, Executive Head Teacher   Representatives from the three shortlisted school libraries attended the Awards and each  made their own presentation before the winner was announced and presented with their prize by distinguished author Kevin Crossley-Holland.   Neil Hopkin, Executive headteacher, Rosendale Primary School response to winning the award:  “It’s fantastic, just fantastic for the school, it’s an accolade that will just add further value to the children in terms of their enthusiasm for reading and pride in what’s been achieved in their community”.  He added:  “.. the message is, don’t let money be a barrier to ambition, with the right kind of people and the commitment you can engage children in reading and a love of reading”.   Kate Gorely, Design and Project co-ordinator, Rosendale Primary School followed on:  “I want to thank everyone involved for all their time. The Bus has been so successful, the children just love it.  I want to take it to other schools to tell them about it and how successful the idea has been.”   During his speech Andy Parker, Director Sales and Marketing, Demco Interiors said:  “…. A physical space has the potential to attract, inspire and support us in our activities.  We all know how we feel when we are in a space that does that.  A school library is a fantastic example of this; a combination of all aspects that come together to create a great design from space planning, to materials, to use of colour can have a huge influence on the success of a school library.  At a time when libraries are under significant scrutiny and are evolving at such a fast space we are delighted to be involved with the School Library Association to play just a small part in supporting the school library through our sponsorship of the Award.  Congratulations to the Rosendale Primary School team for their winning school library  and thanks to the SLA, the judges and of course all the libraries for having contributed and to making today so rewarding.  Good school library design is very close to our heart and therefore we look forward to our continued sponsorship of the award in 2012.  “   The finalists were selected by a judging panel after an in-depth assessment of all the outstanding submissions across a set of design guidelines including innovation , creativity and resourcefulness, followed by visits to all the shortlisted schools and interviews with the school librarians.  Citations and images for each of three finalists can be found at www.sla.org.uk/ . http://demcointeriors.co.uk/pop-up-shops-for-libraries http://demcointeriors.co.uk/pop-up-shops-for-libraries Demco Interiors has worked with Northamptonshire Council on the roll out of their branded retail ‘Library Shop’ in thirty five of the county’s libraries and is now developing twenty five furnishing units to maximize sales in the shop areas.   Hitesh Khunti, Business Development Officer, Northamptonshire Libraries & Information Service, is overseeing the introduction of the shops and is very optimistic about the opportunities for engaging with library visitors and extending the library offer to create new revenue streams.   Hitesh said: “We are investing in introducing shop and visual merchandising areas in our libraries to enhance the value we are offering visitors when they walk through the library door.  We have coffee machines and café areas in many of our libraries and have recently introduced photo-booths into three libraries. Merchandising is the next logical step to creating ‘destination libraries’ in the region.  We are not talking about a retail renaissance here,  but stretching our existing resources to improve our service to visitors and generate additional revenue”.   For Northamptonshire, the size and layout of each shop varies from library to library depending on space available, the local demographics and potential for demand.  Our design and development team is working with Hitesh on new furnishings that can be adapted to meet the different needs of the individual libraries.  From simple slatwall merchandising display to mobile merchandising units, spinners, lockable display, lighting, signage and branding.   The location of the shop is key and ideally should be located where visitors enter and exit or where footfall is greatest.  Our designers are working on new build library projects where bespoke shop areas are part of the initial design brief and budget allocation.  However, many libraries don’t have this luxury and we are developing new ideas for pop-up type shop areas that are economical, flexible, manageable and easily add-on (or -in) to existing spaces.   Fixtures and fittings need to take into account all types of display from local history books, to greeting cards to stamps and most importantly they need to make the merchandising look good.  Striking a balance in the way items are displayed should make browsing easy and attractive and lead to a sale. As we know, big isn’t always better, and  libraries without a lot of space or lots of stock can make a smaller space look more appealing than a sparsely laid out larger space.   Hitesh understands that the impact of introducing merchandising to a library is more than just adding a few extra shelves and displaying a few postcards.  It’s also about sourcing attractive and appealing stock and ensuring that it is rotated regularly:  “It’s important that stock looks fresh and is clearly priced.  You have to understand the profile of your audience; introducing themes and understanding trends helps to keep the area relevant and appealing.  It if gets stale then it  just becomes ‘wallpaper’ – it needs to stay dynamic”.   Although now a well coined phrase, ‘retail is in the detail’ becomes increasingly important for libraries where budget and space can be limited.  With libraries introducing more and more services within their library,  careful  space planning  becomes increasingly important. Our library designers can offer a wholistic approach to integrating the retail space into existing services and layouts.    Employing the pop up shop philosophy of creating a shop within an existing space is proving to be a cost effective way of attracting new revenue.   Hitesh is keen to exchange ideas with others who may be embarking on the same route and can be emailed hkhunti@northamptonshire.gov.uk.    To see library pop-up shop concepts designed by Demco Interiors please see   www.demcointeriors.co.uk/pop-up-shop-merchandising   Please contact us if you would like to discuss pop-up shops and merchandising areas.                                                                                       http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-finalists-discuss-libra http://demcointeriors.co.uk/sla-design-award-finalists-discuss-libra The three finalists of the SLA Library Design Award 2011 sponsored by Demco Interiors at the Libraries Celebration Day talk here about the importance of good school library design in engaging students. http://www.youtube.com/demcointeriors#p/u/0/wI_jFsDkliQ   The finalists were: Rosendale Primary School, Elm School part of Trent College and St John's School Marlborough. The winner of the SLA Library Design Award 2011 was The Rosendale School Library bus.   To see pictures of the final school libraries and judges' citations, please see:   www.sla.org.uk     http://demcointeriors.co.uk/Latest-News http://demcointeriors.co.uk/Latest-News Latest News and Press Releases from Demco Interiors.