I think perhaps colleagues are looking for something more pro-active?
----- Original Message -----
From: "S Woodhouse" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 2:41 PM
Subject: Re: How to guides for computers
> At 04:40 PM 11/15/01 -0000, Mike Maguire wrote:
>
> Colleagues,
>
> You may like to read the article at
>
> http://www.resource.gov.uk/news/feature_article.asp?articleid=98
>
> on the newly-launched Resource website [don't forget to refresh the page
if
> you need to] which will, offer a way forward on many of these issues. We
> look forward to working ever more closely with you all in the coming
months.
>
> Keep in touch,
>
> Susi
>
>
> >Re-birth of Earl? - often the difference between ideal and real is
substance
> >& capacity. The PN Team must have their hands full at present and
probably
> >haven't the capacity to take on the aspects of Earl's original roles
we're
> >discussing.
> >
> >If PN Team should have the role ... and are prepared to accept it ... how
to
> >achieve the capacity ... and perhaps, the funding for it?
> >
> >Setting aside the notion that more "central government sourced funding
could
> >be found for this (but very much not discounting or dismissing it!), if
> >Earl's capacity was underpinned by direct contributions from library
service
> >subscriptions, is that a model for funding additional like capacity
within
> >the PN Team ... or would the accountability that might have to go with
this
> >create unnacceptable tensions. Or could something "Earl-like" be set up
> >within the PN Team to accomodate that accountability - and would library
> >services get their cheque books out to fund it?
> >
> >Mike Maguire
> >Group Librarian S & E Devon
> >Devon Lifelong Learning
> >01392 384223
> >mailto:[log in to unmask]
> >http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/
> >Unless otherwise stated the views expressed are
> >personal and not necessarily those of Devon County Council
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Frances Hendrix [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> >> Sent: 15 November 2001 10:38
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: Re: How to guides for computers
> >>
> >> 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 -----
> >
> >
> >
> Susi Woodhouse
> People's Network Development Team
> Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
> 16 Queen Anne's Gate
> London SW1H 9AA
>
> Tel: 01273-721083
> Fax: 01273-779129
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk
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