National Forum for Information Planning (NFIP) News Release

*With apologies for cross posting*

Achieving the cross-sectoral goal 

NFIP responds to MLAC consultation paper

The National Forum for Information Planning (NFIP) has commented on the
Library and Information Commission (LIC) paper Consultation on the Work of
the new Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. MLAC comes formally into
being on 1 April 2000.

NFIP welcomes the proposal to make cross-sectoral networking an MLAC
priority, pointing out that cross-sectoral partnerships are a key attribute
of both subject-based and geographic Library and Information Plans (LIPs).
It reminds MLAC of the good relations between NFIP and the LIC, whose Chief
Executive has been an NFIP Observer, and looks forward to an equally
positive relationship with the new body.

NFIP points out that its geographic-based LIP members will need to
contribute and respond to the agendas of the Regional Development Agencies
and Regional Cultural Consortia. However, "it is not clear how MLAC will
relate to these bodies," it says. "There appears to be no formal reporting
structure envisaged. We wonder how MLAC will seek both to influence them and
to relate its strategies to theirs."

NFIP comments on references in the paper to MLAC having the assistance of
"constituent regional bodies" in carrying through visionary changes and the
concept of regional MLACs as a future possibility. "In our view the existing
voluntary regional structures for libraries in England are so variable in
effectiveness and quality as to make it impossible to build a coherent and
consistent strategy upon them," NFIP says, reiterating its disappointment
that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has proposed no alternative
to the current laisser-faire approach. NFIP welcomes the MLAC proposal to
fund up to two pilot mini-MLACs. "However, we would be concerned if this
meant a further layer of strategic planning running parallel to RDAs/RCCs
and Regional Library Systems but with no clear connections", it says.

NFIP is also concerned that coherence and connectivity should be maintained
between the UK nations post-Devolution, especially in the context of
strategic planning for policies on access, acquisition and retention of
material on specific subject fields. "We hope to see MLAC work with DfEE,
DTI, DoH and DETR to promote strategic information planning for lifelong
learning, business and the economy, health and other key subject areas in
addition to those in the cultural arena", it adds. "This has been a role in
which the LIC has excelled."

NFIP members involved with national subject-based planning will be keen to
support the MLAC vision of a cultural ICT portal and the encouragement of
cohesive cross-sectoral partnerships. "We believe we can offer a number of
models for achieving this both on a subject and a geographic basis," it
points out, and looks forward to assisting MLAC in its aims.

/ends


Notes to Editors

1.  "Consultation on the work of the new Museums, Libraries & Archives
Council". Library and Information Commission publication, January 2000.
<http://www.lic.gov.uk/publications/mlac.html> 

2.  The National Forum for Information Planning (NFIP) was established as
LIPLINC in 1989 at the request of the Office of Arts and Libraries to
monitor the development of Library and Information Plans (LIPs) in the UK.
It consists of LIP Directors and Managers together with representatives of
other cross-sectoral UK library and information networks. The Library and
Information Commission and the British Library Co-operation and Partnership
Programme have Observer status. NFIP is a Panel of LINC, the Library and
Information Co-operation Council.

3.  For further information on NFIP, contact: NFIP Chair Carl Clayton,
Director, SINTO, Learning Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Pond Street,
Sheffield S1 1WB.  
Tel: 0114 225 4711.  Fax: 0114 225 4755.  E-mail: [log in to unmask]


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