*With apologies for cross posting*

Library and Information Co-operation Council (LINC) 

News Release        11 March 2000

Sharing the cross-sectoral agenda

LINC responds to MLAC consultation document

The Library and Information Co-operation Council (LINC) has responded to the
Consultation Document on the Work of the new Museums, Libraries and Archives
Council (MLAC). LINC's prime purpose is to foster cross-sectoral
collaboration and it focuses mainly on points relating to its own remit. It
begins by welcoming the identification of synergy as a core function of the
new body.   

On MLAC's vision, which includes a "new user-focussed approach", LINC points
out that public libraries in particular have been user-focussed throughout
their history. "There is much in the achievements of libraries and museums
of which to be proud" it says. "Clearly MLAC intends to build on this but
the point is often overlooked." 

On another aspect of MLAC's vision: "We must change attitudes and encourage
more lateral thinking and risk taking", LINC warmly welcomes the new
approach, agreeing that the latter has rarely been encouraged in public
service sectors. 

LINC stresses that the new body should provide and co-ordinate advice to
Government on policy development. "There will be concern if MLAC acts only
to advise on 'the development of key Government objectives where decisions
have already been taken'", LINC says. "It is important that the sectors are
instrumental in shaping their own future."

On MLAC's resolve to "break down artificial or outmoded professional
barriers", LINC again asks for recognition of the considerable
cross-sectoral activity that already exists. Museums are often
organisationally linked to libraries and archives, especially within the
local government environment, and activities in support of the education
sector are well established in public library, school library and museum
work.      

It supports the view that MLAC should "become a focal point for the
collection of authoritative information and research, for intelligence
gathering about developments in the world beyond MLAC, and for interpreting
the implications for our constituents". LINC strongly endorses MLAC's
intention to transcend Government Departmental boundaries, to advise
Government as a whole, and to be itself an example of joined-up Government.
The insularity of major Government Departments has been considered in the
past a serious impediment to effective development. 

On funding, LINC welcomes MLAC's intention to secure sufficient resources
for itself and its constituent sectors, through dialogue with Government.
However, it reminds MLAC of the recent history of severely restricted and
often reduced resources which those sectors have had to bear and which could
affect their capacity to deliver "quantifiable outputs" to meet new
Government objectives and programmes. 

On the regional agenda, LINC strongly endorses the need to consider how the
fundamental differences in the resourcing of regional museum and library
bodies can be resolved. "Improved resources to support co-operation and
involvement in the development and achievement of regional strategies will
be essential". Enacting the section of the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums
Act to place Regional Library Systems on a statutory footing could be
reconsidered.  

LINC notes that the suggestion of mini-MLACs reflects Government policy on
regional organisation in relation to RDA boundaries. LINC refers to the
problematic situation in London and the South East, where many
cross-boundary bodies exist. It considers the maintaining of existing bodies
to be appropriate at this time and supports exploration of the costs and
benefits of more integrated regional structures in the context of potential
longer-term rationalisation. 

On ICT, LINC supports the MLAC approach to revolutionising access to the
cultural heritage through an ambitious digital content and networking
strategy, involving the co-ordination of sectoral ICT initiatives such as
New Library, Netful of Jewels and Archives On-Line. At the same time, it
also endorses the identification of single-sectoral needs and priorities as
a major role.

On "How MLAC will work", LINC endorses the elements outlined as key to the
creation of a fresh approach, particularly accountability, independence and
looking to the strengths of the past. LINC recognises that MLAC will need to
establish new mechanisms to enable it to draw on the expertise of its
constituents and offers to assist in this process, and in the co-ordination
of advice and information on cross-sectoral collaboration. 

/ends

Notes to Editors

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

2.  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 and copies of the full LINC response,
contact: LINC Honorary Secretary Paul Turner, County Librarian, Hampshire,
81 North Walls, Winchester SO23 8BY.  
Tel: 01962 846 109.  E-mail: [log in to unmask]


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