Awards

2019: Awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the public libraries sector in the New Years Honours List.

May 2016 – CILIP Wales Library Champion of the Year Award

“CILIP Cymru Wales has launched a Library Champion Award at the annual CILIP Cymru Wales Library and Information Conference. The inaugural award was made to Ian Anstice, public librarian and author of Public Libraries News, a website that chronicles and comments on the changes to UK public libraries. The CILIP Cymru Wales Committee created the award to honour the work of an individual who has helped raise the profile of libraries and spread understanding of the work done by library, information and knowledge professionals in the UK. CILIP CEO Nick Poole announced the award at the conference dinner in Swansea on Thursday 26th May.”

Showing off the CILIP Wales Library Champion of the Year Award, wearing remarkably casual clothing.

November 2015 – Honorary Fellowship of CILIP

Ian Anstice with Cllr Gittins with Fellowship certificate

I was delighted to be made a honorary fellow (Hon FCLIP) of CILIP in September 2015 for my work on Public Libraries News. This is the official press release from Cheshire West and Chester Council:

“Cheshire librarian receives prestigious national award. A Cheshire West and Chester Council librarian has received a prestigious award from a national professional body for his outstanding contribution to libraries and information management. Locality Librarian for Northwich and Winsford, Ian Anstice, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Ian has over twenty years’ experience of working in libraries and in his spare time, he also produces of one of the UK’s most comprehensive and accessible sources of information about UK public libraries, the Public Libraries News website. Ian was nominated by fellow members of the library and information community for his ongoing work promoting public libraries and their staff.

The Public Libraries News website is frequently used as a key resource for library staff, journalists, policy makers and others seeking information about public libraries in the UK.  Public library information and editorial published by Ian has been referenced in both Houses of Parliament and reported in local, national and international media.  Honorary Fellowship of the professional body has been awarded by CILIP and its predecessor the Library Association since 1896.

It is the CILIP’s highest recognition and is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the library and information world.  Recipients of the title join a roll call of important figures including three time former Prime Minster Rt. Hon Stanley Baldwin, Scottish philanthropist and library founder Andrew Carnegie, the inventor of the Dewey Decimal system used in library classification, Melvil Dewey; the poet, novelist and librarian Philip Larkin, novelist Dame Catherine Cookson, and children’s illustrator and author Shirley Hughes.

Ian said: “It’s a great honour to receive an Honorary Fellowship and I’m totally delighted.  I feel passionately about the role libraries fulfil at the heart of our communities and I see every day how important they are to the people of Cheshire West.” The Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “I’m thrilled that Ian has received such a prestigious award.  I know he is highly regarded by the public for his work at both our Northwich and Winsford libraries.  The success of his website shows just how committed he is to public libraries outside of work too.”

See also Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West librarian receives national award  – Chester Chronicle and Winsford librarian awarded Honorary Fellowship – Winsford Guardian.

2012 and 2014 – Winsford Customer Service Oscar

Awarded for the best customer service given in the town of Winsford by Winsford Town Council.

2011 – Information Professional of the Year – Information World Review.

One of the many joys of doing the website is being recognised for the hard work which is put in.  I won the IWR Information Professional of the Year 2011 award for Public Libraries News.  See this video.