*With apologies for cross posting*

Library & Information Co-operation Council (LINC)

31 July 2000    News Release

Branching Out: a case study in partnership

A new model for achieving change

"Public librarians have a key role to play in developing audiences for
contemporary literature." This is the starting point of the latest paper in
the Issues in Focus series, published by LINC, the Library and Information
Co-operation Council. "A national network of committed, confident staff who
will champion the importance of this literature in the library sector and
work creatively with regional arts boards and other agencies has the
potential to generate a strong new dynamic", say the authors of 'Branching
Out: A new model for achieving change in the public sector'.

Written by Rachel Van Riel and Olive Fowler, Issues in Focus No. 17 reports
on Branching Out, a highly participative action learning and research
project. Key elements in the three-year reader development programme include
33 library authorities working together on common issues, managers working
together with activists, long-term investment in librarians as agents of
change, and external partnerships built in from the start.

The paper illustrates the long-term impact and integrated approach of
Branching Out, and explains how creative partnerships will embed fundamental
changes to ensure sustainability. It outlines the project's inter-connected
strands: training, technology, book selection and purchase, reader
development projects, partners, evaluation and dissemination. An assessment
of existing and missing skills among library staff is set out, and the
innovative Branching Out website is described.

The contributions of the several partners are explained: the Society of
Chief Librarians, 33 participating library authorities, the bookseller Books
for Students, the University of Central England to evaluate the project, the
National Library for the Blind to address the needs of visually impaired
readers, and the Arts Council of England and Regional Arts Boards for
funding and reading promotion networks.

The authors report on six reader development projects, which benefit all
library authorities. They include Book Forager, a new approach to choosing
books via unique filtering software, developed for free access through
public libraries. 

For the future, support for more authorities is envisaged, including in
Scotland and Wales, and the website and the regional networks are seen as
the keys to sustainability.

Copies of Issues in Focus No. 17 (free of charge up to 20 copies) are
available from Pat Wressell Associates, 36 Highbury, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2
3EA. Tel: 0191 281 3502. Fax: 0191 212 0146. [log in to unmask]

/ends

Notes to Editors

1. A copy of Issues in Focus No. 17 is enclosed. Issues in Focus is a series
of 4-page occasional papers published by LINC.

2. Branching Out is an initiative from the Society of Chief Librarians,
supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England, in
partnership with Books for Students and the University of Central England.
Branching Out is a project managed by Opening the Book Ltd.
For further information on Branching Out, contact Rachel Van Riel, Director,
Opening the Book Ltd.
Tel: 01977 602 188 / 602 988.  [log in to unmask]
<http://www.branching-out.net>

3. LINC is the leading representative organisation promoting co-operation
and partnership in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Its members include the
British Library, the National Library of Scotland, the Irish Library
Council, LISC (NI), Interlending Wales, LA, SCONUL, the Society of Chief
Librarians, six English Library Regions, and a range of organisations with
an interest in co-operation. It has three Panels: LINC NEWSPLAN Panel, NFIP
(National Forum for Information Planning) and LINC Health Panel.
For further information on LINC contact: LINC Honorary Secretary Paul
Turner, County Librarian, Hampshire, 81 North Walls, Winchester SO23 8BY.
Tel: 01962 846 109.  [log in to unmask]

4. News release issued for LINC by Pat Wressell Associates, Press Officer.
Tel: 0191 281 3502.  Fax: 0191 212 0146.  [log in to unmask]




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