(Apologies for cross-posting)
Press Release For Immediate Release 10 April 2000
Digital Libraries Grant for Longitude: Library Networking Impact Toolkit
for a User-Driven Environment
EARL is pleased to announce the award of a Digital Libraries Grant for
Longitude from the Council for Museums, Archives, and Libraries. It is
widely acknowledged that a greater understanding of user interaction with
technology, especially in the public library setting, is crucial to the
successful application of networked services. Longitude, an 18-month
project to be undertaken by EARL and its joint Project Director, CIPFA, is
designed to develop and test a toolkit of long-term longitudinal
qualitative survey methodologies to assess user needs and how they evolve
in the digital library. The project, to commence in May 2000, will include
the participation of CERLIM, as an evaluative consultant, as well as
partner library sites in Luton, Norfolk, and Westminster.
Notes to Editors
Joint Project Directors are the EARL Consortium and CIPFA Plus. EARL, the
Consortium for Public Library Networking, was established in 1995
to develop the role of public libraries in providing library and
information services over the network. EARL has over 160 Local Authority
Partners which equates to 75% of all Local Authorities in the UK, in
addition to over 25 Associate Partners in government, the profession,
higher education, and the commercial sector. Through collaboration, EARL
aims to demonstrate and extend the ability of public libraries to deliver
networked information and knowledge-based services. These are developed
primarily through EARL's Task Groups working on new ways to deliver shared
services over the network, and also EARL's programme of workshops and
seminars.
CIPFA PLUS has 166 Public Library Authorities in membership of PLUS &
Children's PLUS. IPF, a wholly owned company of the Chartered Institute of
Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), manages the scheme on behalf of the
members. IPF also provides support to members including: a telephone
helpline; website; seminars and workshops; publication of newsletters; an
annual archive of survey results across the UK; support to the committees
concerned with all aspects of the survey methodologies and questionnaires;
and auditors of the data / methodologies in support of the national
archive.
For further information about the Longitude Project, contact Linda Berube,
Development Co-ordinator at: EARL, 4th Floor, Gun Court, 70 Wapping Lane,
London E1W 2RS; tel. (020) 7702 2020 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]
For more information about the EARL Consortium, contact Sally Chambers,
EARL Liaison Officer at: EARL, 4th Floor, Gun Court, 70 Wapping Lane,
London E1W 2RS; tel. (020) 7702 2020
or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
EARL: The Consortium for Public Library Networking
Linda Berube
Development and UKEL Co-ordinator
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 020 7702 2020
fax: 020 7702 2019
http://www.earl.org.uk
Gun Court
4th Floor
70 Wapping Lane
London E1W 2RS
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