Dear list members-
The debate continues on the People's Network Jiscmail list
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/peoplesnetwork.html
- for those of you who don't subscribe to that list.

Also David Blackett, Lancs libraries has asked me to forward his posting
to lis-pub-libs members - apologies if you've already seen it.
Penny

Penny Garrod (lis-pub-libs manager)
Public Library Networking Focus
UKOLN
University of Bath BA2 7AY

UKOLN: www.ukoln.ac.uk
UKOLN e-magazine: www.ariadne.ac.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: A discussion list for the People's Network Project
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Blackett, David
Sent: 14 January 2004 13:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Is this the end for OPACs?

I am thankful that someone has copied this across to
[log in to unmask] as I am not a subscriber to lis-pub-libs
or
lis-link and did want an opportunity to respond.  I would be grateful if
someone would copy this response back to those lists.

I would not normally choose to publish what was assumed to be a private
response to a member of the public commenting on the services offered by
the
Library, but as Mr Turner-Bishop has been very selective in quoting part
of
my response, I feel it might be useful.   I would be pleased to discuss
the
issue with anyone on the basis of the letter in its entirety.

Dear Mr Turner-Bishop

When the People's Network was installed throughout Lancashire County
Library's 85 libraries, a policy decision was taken to replace the
existing
OPACs in the 13 libraries which had them.  The background to the
decision
included:

:- A lack of space for PCs without having to reduce further the space
available for books;

:- The fact that in a library like the Harris there would in future be
39
PCs available for searching the catalogue rather than the previous four;

:- An awareness that fewer than one person in a hundred coming into a
public
library would normally consult the catalogue on a regular basis;

:- The catalogue would be available through the internet for borrowers
to
consult before coming to the library thus restricting further those who
want
to consult it in the library;

:- The New Opportunities Fund specifying that the new PCs should not be
limited from using the internet as access was the main purpose of the
funding.

I am sorry that you feel that this leaves you feeling 'patronised' or
unable
to use the library in a 'grown-up' way; I am sure that this is not the
reaction of a majority of customers.  I feel that what you describe is
wanting to use the library as a librarian; a totally understandable
point of
view, but certainly not a majority one.

I feel your arguments about young people developing research skills do
not
apply significantly as there are far more opportunities to use such
skills
through the internet than in the very limited domain that is the library
catalogue.  I am also disappointed that you view the prospect of needing
to
use the Enquiry Desk with such distaste; for the majority of enquirers I
would far rather they asked a librarian and got the right answer than
attempted the query themselves and went away disappointed at not finding
what they want when it was their own skill in using the system which was
lacking. Maybe this is one difference between a public library and an
academic library environment; you can train your users while you have
them
while we need to cater to whoever comes in.

I accept that what you are saying would be right for you and that in a
perfect world we would have space and resources for as many PCs and as
many
access points to information as there are individuals.  In the real
world we
have to make decisions based on what we feel will be the maximum benefit
for
the majority of users, and that is what we have done in this case.

I hope that you will not always find all of the PCs in use when you
visit
the library, and that if you do find them busy this will not too much
dim
your enjoyment of using the library.  This is the first comment I have
received on this subject and I can assure you that the policy will be
reviewed if and when it is seen that it is causing concern among users.

Yours sincerely

David Blackett

David Blackett
Assistant County Library Manager Resources
Lancashire County Library and Information Service
Tel: 01772 534091
email: [log in to unmask]



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