Philip is, in my opinion absolutely right in the need for this coordinated
approach, and that the People's Network Team are the appropriate body now
that Earl, alas, is no longer running. It would have been an ideal role for
Earl to perform, and one that Earl recognized was missing and would have
like to have taken up.
If the PN isn't going to take it on. perhaps it is time for the rebirth of
Earl?
Frances
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Wark" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:22 AM
Subject: How to guides for computers
> Penny Goddard wrote:I would like to take up Chris Goddard's comment re
*re-
> inventing the wheel* in relation to implementing the PN. So far I have
> heard from many people who state that they do not want to waste time and
> energy doing what others have already done, but are in the *catch 22*
> situation of not knowing what has been done elsewhere. Not sure if the
*not
> invented here* syndrome prevails -
> I think most staff are keen to adopt the work of others given the
pressures
> they currently operate under? Perhaps there is a need for central
> (national??) co-ordination of day-to-day service implementation issues as
> well as at policy/best practice level. I know regional collaboration is
> going on re union catalogues and on specific projects, but is it in
relation
> to identifying area of commonality, e.g. in access to email/general
> guidance to users.
>
> These are just my observations - it would be useful to hear others views
> (and their suggestions to improve the situation) -taking account of the
> regional/national agendas and disparities between different authorities
etc
> etc.
> Penny Garrod
>
> Interesting thoughts. EARL or a similar organisation taking a national
> (UK!) perspective is essential post local government re-organisation and
> the mess perpetrated by the creation of lots of small authorities with
> insufficient resources to provide decent services. I've long thought
there
> is a role for a national organisation to co-ordinate marketing, promotion
> and shouting about libraries - something similar to the FSA for
independent
> financial advisers. Naively I thought this role should be taken on board
> by the LA, but obviously they are not just concerned about public
> libraries. To be fair the LA does co-ordinate national events etc for
> public libraries but probably doesn't see its role as promoting libraries
> but librarianship. I would like to see a national advertising campaign on
> TV, newspapers radio etc There should also be a national register of good
> practice where standards - no I don't mean performance indicators DCMS et
> al, are identified and useable by all (possibly annual subscription?) This
> would include customer service charter, guidelines for producing a library
> procedures manual for common activities, advertising material, reader
> development activities etc etc. I know some of this exists already but it
> is very disparate. - but I digress.
> Isn't one of the roles of The People's Network Website to promote best
> practice and provide examples of how learning centres in libraries should
> be done? I don't know about you but I have spent so much time
implementing
> training, worrying about audit trails, ensuring we jump through so many
> hoops I wonder if it is all worth it. In this small authority there
aren't
> enough bodies to everything that is expected by NOF. So what about NOF
> being proactive and taking this role on board?
> Philip Wark
> Principal Librarian
> Midlothian Council Library Service
> Library HQ
> 2 Clerk Street
> Loanhead
> Midlothian EH20 9DR
> Tel: 0131 271 3971
> Fax: 0131 440 4635
> Vice Chair CSG
> ----- Original Message -----
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