Library Users Win Northern Irish Competition

London, 10 January 2012

Three library users have won an online competition which tested their knowledge on all things Northern Irish.

Ruairi Kirk, Gabrielle O’Neill and Glenn McKibbin won the Britannica and Libraries NI Christmas Quiz Competition after correctly answering 10 challenging questions on Northern Irish history, geography and sports.

The quiz was created to encourage communities throughout Northern Ireland to support their local libraries and discover the vast range of resources they offer and received more than 1,400 entries. The quiz was separated into three different age categories – 5 to 11, 12 to 18 and 18+ – with Ruairi, Gabrielle and Glenn winning in the junior, student and adult categories respectively. They were presented with their prizes which included iPods and Kindle 3G readers by representatives from Libraries NI.

Library users of all ages in Northern Ireland can currently benefit from free unlimited access to Britannica Online Library Edition and other resources at their local library or remotely via their library membership card.

Joan Thompson, Information Services Manager, Libraries NI said: “With more than 1,400 entries, this competition has really helped to encourage people of all ages to re-discover the vast wealth of resources that their local library can offer. We’d like to thank all those that entered and urge them to continue to make use of their libraries, which form a vital part of the local community.”

Diane Finn, UK Libraries Manager from Encyclopædia Britannica said: “We were delighted to support Libraries NI in running this competition and were completely overwhelmed by the number of successful entries we received. It’s testament to the libraries throughout Northern Ireland that there are so many knowledgeable library users. We’d like to extend our congratulations to the winners and hope they enjoy their belated Christmas presents.”

For more information, ask at your local library or go to the Libraries NI website www.librariesni.org.uk

Notes to editors:

About Encyclopædia Britannica:
Britannica was founded in Edinburgh in 1768 at the height of the period of European history known as the “Enlightenment”. Its aim was to publish clear, current and correct information, based on a scientific approach to knowledge.

It is the most comprehensive and oldest continuously published reference work in the English language and is revered worldwide for its editorial integrity. Britannica strives to help its users become confident global citizens, by delivering expert and up-to-date knowledge and being global leaders in providing a source for life-long learning.

Encyclopædia Britannica (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. who are leading providers of learning and knowledge products. Britannica is proud to be one of the world's most trusted sources of information.

In 2011 Encyclopædia Britannica was named as one of the UK’s most respected brands in the annual Consumer Superbrand Survey. Britannica was one of only eight media reference companies to make the top 500 brands in the UK and was the only one to be listed in the top 50.

About Britannica Online & Mobile:
Today Encyclopædia Britannica has a larger and more diverse line of online and mobile products than ever before. Our outlook is shaped by our tradition of excellence and an understanding of what knowledge seekers need in the digital age.

Britannica's most comprehensive online product is Britannica Online Academic Edition, which delivers relevant, web-based content for further and higher education. It is continuously updated, revised and developed with new articles, allowing its users to research confidently with expert information and a host of research tools designed to support advanced study.

Beyond the Online Academic Edition, Britannica continues to develop an extensive range of online products aimed at all levels of the curriculum.

In 2002 Britannica introduced Britannica Online School Edition, a comprehensive reference and education service specially designed for primary and secondary schools. It has undergone several significant upgrades in the years since. Aspects of the product are available on the Guardian’s Teacher Resources site

In 2006 Britannica introduced Britannica Online Public Library Edition, delivering three products in one, including separate home pages for adults, students, and children. The product allows libraries to tailor the product to their patrons' needs.

In 2011 Britannica launched six titles in a series of educational mobile applications for children. The Ancient Romans, Ancient Egypt, Solar System, Volcanoes, Rainforests and Dinosaurs apps will be followed by a further 60 project-based programmes later in the year.

Image Quest was launched in January 2011 to provide one million digital images to universities, colleges and schools. Fully rights-cleared for educational use, Image Quest brings together collections from the National Geographic, Getty Images, and Oxford Scientific and many others, into an easy-to-use online portal.

For further information about Britannica and its products, please visit: www.britannica.co.uk

Follow Britannica on Twitter: @Britannica_UK Britannica Flickr Feed: www.flickr.com/photos/britannica_image_quest/

About Libraries NI
Libraries NI is public library service for Northern Ireland. It came into being on 1 April 2009 as part of the Review of Public Administration. Its services are regionally planned and locally delivered and focus on: support for learning and learners; access to information; cultural and creative development; heritage and digitisation; and reading. Further information available from Irene Knox, Chief Executive, Libraries NI, The Sidings Office Park, Antrim Road, Lisburn, BT28 3RG.

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CONTACT:

Encyclopædia Britannica (UK) Ltd
For further information, please contact:
Eoghan Hughes
PR Manager
Encyclopædia Britannica
DDI: +44 (0)20 7500 7805
Fax: +44 (0)20 7500 7878
ehughes@britannica.co.uk

All Libraries NI
Media enquires should be addressed to:
Lucy Finney, Libraries NI,
Ballymena Regional Admin Centre,
25-31 Demesne Avenue,
Ballymena, BT43 7BG.
Tel: 028 2566 4105,
Email: press@librariesni.org.uk