*Apologies for cross-posting*
Library & Information Co-operation Council (LINC)
News Release:17 October 2000
LINC debates its future
LA breathing space accepted
The Library Association (LA) is to provide administrative and operational
support for the Library and Information Co-operation Council (LINC) during
the financial year 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.
This allows LINC time to consider whether the LIS domain still needs a
cross-sectoral body to represent organisations involved in co-operation,
sharing and collaboration.
The proposal from the LA, itself a member of LINC, was approved at LINC's
AGM and Special Meeting held on 11 October 2000. The nature, structure and
organisation of any revised LINC or successor body will also be considered.
The LA proposal replaced a recommendation from LINC Honorary Officers for
LINC to be dissolved from 31 March 2001 on the grounds that it had
successfully fulfilled its brief to promote LIS co-operation and
partnership. In the new context of Resource, cross-domain partnerships with
Museums and Archives, Regional Cultural Consortia and other major
developments at regional level, it had been suggested that there was no
longer a distinct role for LINC. Reduced financial resources were also
limiting any opportunity for developing a broader role.
LINC Honorary Officers and members present at the meeting welcomed the LA's
offer of a breathing space. LINC Chair Chris Koster comments: "It is
important that the LIS community has a full debate on the need for a focus
to represent the variety of sectoral interests within our particular domain,
and on the form that focus might take."
Points made in discussion included:
- the possible continuing need for a forum to exchange information and
experience and to be a sounding board for government and other agencies;
- uncertainty about the impact of the newly established Resource on the LIS
domain;
- concern in LIS sectors, eg. health and education, at the new focus on
synergy with Museums and Archives.
It was agreed that the current Honorary Officers be co-opted to serve for
the year 2001/2002. They are: Chris Koster, Chair; Frances Hendrix, Vice
Chair; Paul Turner, Hon Secretary; Ray de Graff, Hon. Treasurer.
/ends
Notes to Editors
1. For further information contact:
Chris Koster, Chair of LINC. Tel: 020 8482 7730
Email: [log in to unmask]
Sue Brown, Director, Professional Services, LA. Tel: 020 7255 0698
Email: [log in to unmask]
2. LINC is the leading representative organisation promoting co-operation
and partnership in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1989, its
members include the British Library, the National Library of Scotland, the
Irish Library Council, LISC (NI), Interlending Wales, the Library
Association, 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 general information on LINC contact:
LINC Honorary Secretary Paul Turner, County Librarian, Hampshire.
Tel: 01962 846 109. Email: [log in to unmask]
3. News release issued for LINC by Pat Wressell Associates, Press Officer.
Email: [log in to unmask]
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