** Apologies for cross-posting **
PRESS RELEASE
Online library seeks volunteers for the frontline
"I think this is an amazing concept - 24/7 services. It will help
re-establish libraries as a primary source of information provided by a
neutral party."
"It's the obvious move for public libraries and an exciting project."
"Anytime, anywhere is marvellous!"
13 December 2004: The first phase of the new People's Network Service is
launched to library professionals today. The People's Network Online
Enquiry Service will deliver a real-time information service to the
public by providing 'live' access to library and information
professionals across the internet.
Developed by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the
service is being delivered collaboratively by public library staff
across England. Currently 29 library authorities in England are
piloting the service. MLA is now inviting library colleagues across the
country to trial the new service by asking sample questions. MLA hopes
that by the end of 2005 all 149 library authorities in England will
contribute to the service.
This new phase of the People's Network will give the public an
additional route to the kind of high-quality information and reference
advice only available from the library profession. The service will be
free, and they will be able to ask questions in 'real-time', dealing
directly with a member of library staff online.
Chris Batt, Chief Executive of MLA said: "This is the future of the
public library service. Libraries are about providing people with
knowledge and inspiration, whether that's from the printed word, from
CDs or online. Libraries are already ahead of the game in giving people
access to new technologies. This new phase of the People's Network will
take them to top of the league. The Enquiry Service is part of a suite
of online PN services which mean that our public libraries will be able
to help people find the right information wherever they are, whenever
they need it.
"We are asking colleagues to help us pilot and test out this Enquiry
Service and give us your comments and feedback prior to its public
launch in March next year."
The Enquiry Service software provides additional advantages to
participating libraries, including online meetings, remote training and
distance learning opportunities. The full 24/7 service will be launched
to the public in March 2005.
To trial the Enquiry Service visit the pilot site at:
<http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk> http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk
For further information about the PN full suite of services including
the Enquiry Service visit: <http://www.mla.gov.uk/action/pn/00pn.asp>
http://www.mla.gov.uk/action/pn/00pn.asp
-ends-
Note to Editors:
For general enquiries contact Phill Purdy at [log in to unmask], 020
7273 8284
For PRESS enquiries contact Fiona Cameron, MLA Media and Events Manager
at [log in to unmask], 020 7273 1459
The People's Network Online Enquiry Service is being managed by the
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and developed by the East of
England partnership, Co-East and OCLC Pica. It is funded by MLA and the
Big Lottery Fund.
The People's Network has connected all public libraries to the internet,
as part of the Government's commitment to give everyone in the UK the
opportunity to get online. There are now more than 4000 library ICT
centres available throughout the UK. The People's Network has been
lottery funded by The Big Lottery Fund and managed by the Museums,
Libraries and Archives Council. Further information is available on the
MLA website at <file://www.mla.gov.uk/peoplesnetwork/project.asp>
www.mla.gov.uk/peoplesnetwork/project.asp
MLA is the national development agency working for and on behalf of
museums, libraries and archives, advising government on policy and
priorities for the sector. Museums, libraries and archives connect
people to knowledge and information, creativity and inspiration. MLA is
leading the drive to unlock this wealth for all.
<file://www.mla.gov.uk> www.mla.gov.uk.
Pilot Library Authorities who have signed up to deliver the People's
Network Enquiry Service on a collaborative basis are: Bedfordshire,
Birmingham, Bradford, Cambridgeshire, Camden, Cornwall, Corporation of
London, Essex, Gateshead, Islington, Kirklees, Leeds, Lewisham,
Liverpool, Luton, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Peterborough, Plymouth,
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough, Southend,
Staffordshire, Surrey, Telford and Wrekin, Thurrock, West Sussex,
Westminster, Wiltshire
The Co-East Partnership brings together the resources of libraries in
the East of England in a discovery to delivery (D2D) network. Through
development, acquisition and provision of innovative electronic
solutions, Co-East partners seek to modernise regional library services
to enable citizens to participate fully in society. As part of the
network of resources, the national digital reference service, Ask A
Librarian ( <file://www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk>
www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk), has been managed and developed by the
Co-East Management Team, including a successful pilot for collaborative
real-time enquiry, Ask Live! <file://www.co-east.net> www.co-east.net
OCLC PICA is a European library co-operative committed to helping
libraries serve people by providing economical access to knowledge
through innovation and collaboration. Headquartered in Leiden the
Netherlands with regional offices in Birmingham and Paris, OCLC PICA
offers an extensive range of leading edge products and services for both
library professionals and library end users, including the QuestionPoint
virtual reference service. <file://www.oclcpica.org> www.oclcpica.org
Fiona Cameron
Media and Events Manager
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
T: 020 7273 1459
E: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
W: <http://www.mla.gov.uk> http://www.mla.gov.uk
Join the MLA News email list at:
<http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/mlanews.html>
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/mlanews.html
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