PRESS RELEASE : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Research Division of LASER joins LITC, South Bank University
When LASER transforms into the Laser Foundation this autumn its
substantial portfolio of research activities will be moving to LITC, the
long standing centre at South Bank University undertaking Research,
Consultancy, Training and Publishing for the Information Profession.
Robin Yeates, LASER's Assistant Director, Research and Development and
previously a Senior Researcher at LITC, will also move to South Bank.
LASER's current research ventures include COVAX, a project in the
European Commission's IST Programme and Longitude, an EARL/CIPFA project
funded by Resource and CAPITAL, a BLC&PP project, analysing coverage,
retention and future partnerships in monographic provision. LASER is
also a partner in several successful NOF digitisation projects.
LITC has a portfolio of active research chiefly funded by the JISC and
the European Commission. Among the important active research is EASEL a
project concerned with educational metadata and interoperability; and
Angel looking at authentication and the successful integration of
services across library resources and online learning. Among other
research interests are alerting agents, information security,
digitisation and copyright, content management and e-libraries. LITC is
a publisher for the profession with among others the journal Vine and
LTWorld. LITC also organises events such as the recent E-Books 2001
conference, and offers consultancy services.
John Akeroyd, Director of LITC comments that "There are many natural
synergies between the two research units. We both have a strong interest
in metadata, interoperability and e-learning, for example. Not
surprising as these are key issues that the whole information profession
needs to address. At the same time LASER's research expands the scope of
our activities."
Robin Yeates commenting on the merger said: "It was a natural move to
join up LASER's and LITC's research. The profession needs more cross
sectoral research and the merger will further extend LASER's activities
across public libraries, museums and archives to encompass LITC's
greater stress on HE and Health. Our research will be for the benefit of
the whole information profession".
Andrew Cox remains Associate Director of LITC and Centre Head.
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Notes for Editors from LASER
1. LASER is the preferred name for London and South Eastern Library
Region, the Development and Networking Agency. Building on a history of
regional and inter-regional resource sharing activity since 1928, LASER
is now developing new approaches to cultural services development and
promoting access to learning resources, based on a wide range of
partnerships.
2. Further information may be obtained from Peter Smith, Acting
Director, LASER, London & South Eastern Library Region, Gun Court, 70
Wapping Lane, London E1W 2RS; Tel: +44 020 7702 2020; fax: +44 020 7702
2019; E-mail: [log in to unmask]; URL :
http://www.viscount.org.uk/laser/
3. Please note that LASER will be transforming into the Laser Foundation
at the end of September 2001. LASER will no longer occupy the offices
at Gun Court. With effect from 1st October all current LASER e-mail
addresses (which end [log in to unmask]) will cease to operate. The
registered address for the Laser Foundation(effective from 1/10/01) is:-
The Laser Foundation, c/o Merchant and Co., Fourth Floor, 84 Uxbridge
Road, West Ealing, London W13 8RA; [log in to unmask]
4. For any queries please contact:- Frances Hendrix, Martin House Farm,
Hilltop Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, Near Chorley, Lancashire PR6 7QR; Tel :
01257 274 833; Fax : 01257 266 488; E-mail :
[log in to unmask] (please note that this e-mail is not
available until 1st October - until then use : [log in to unmask])
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