**Apologies for cross posting**

PRESS RELEASE
09 November 1998

EARL: the Consortium for public library networking

EARL's response to the LIC's report:
Building the New Library Network

EARL warmly welcomes the long awaited LIC Task Group report: Building the New Library Network. The Consortium is in broad support of the recommendations on content, training and infrastructure contained in the report.

- Creating Content

It is particularly pleasing to note the emphasis on creation of content with a national focus; reflecting EARL's central philosophy of national services - local identity - networked assets.

Emphases on partnerships between local authorities cross-sectoral and cross-domain are also strongly welcomed.

Recognition and support is given to the report's focus on the provision of content to support lifelong learning.

EARL is pleased to note that the pivotal role of finding aids has been recognised and looks forward to more substantive provision following New Opportunity Fund (NOF) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) consultation. The value of finding aids has been demonstrated by EARL's family history resource directory, Familia [http://www.earl.org.uk/familia/] and Magnet [http://www.earl.org.uk/magnet/], the national serials, newspapers and magazine database. These services illustrate the essential role of this aspect of content creation.

It is pleasing to note the recommendation that matched funding can be in kind, which is likely to greatly encourage applications from local authorities.

The Consortium wishes to underline the importance of clear guidelines for applicants to ensure the maximum effectiveness of resource allocation and use.

- Training

The central importance placed on core professional competencies to deliver New Library is highly commended.

The need to incorporate mediation skills into training programmes, reflecting the educational support role of librarians is firmly endorsed.

Strong support is given to the need to accommodate diverse training needs by requiring authorities to specify their needs rather than conforming to prescriptive programmes.

The benchmark approach to training needs analysis is welcomed, in addition to the call for training schemes to be accredited.

The ability to match funding for training in kind is enthusiastically welcomed.

The Consortium wholly supports the inclusion of school library staff in its recommendations.

Firm agreement is held with the need to encourage development of cross-authority consortia.

The Consortium would, however, like to see recognition and support for training as a continuing aspect of professional development.

A further point of concern is that not all staff, for example voluntary workers, are to be accommodated for in the bidding criteria.

Similarly it is disappointing that no recommendations relating to staff cover during periods of training have been put forward.


- Network Infrastructure

EARL supports the long-term concept of a virtual private network with local ICT management but recognises that Internet connectivity is the most sensible short-term option for libraries.

It is pleasing to see the emphasis on co-ordinating compatibility between schools and libraries' networks.

It is considered to be a great shame that the estimated £100 million additional funding provides a serious threat to the Government's plans to deliver the network by the year 2002. Every opportunity must be encouraged to nurture partnerships for funding opportunities in an attempt to ameliorate this huge financial shortfall.

- EARL: The Consortium for Public Library Networking

Issues of content, training and infrastructure will continue to form a crucial part in the Consortium's programme of events well into 1999. Poised to address the future role of EARL, the Annual General Meeting will be held against the backdrop of the LIC's Task Group report and results of the recent Future Options survey of EARL Partners. For more details about future events and workshops please contact Helen Baigent at the EARL office by telephone on 0171 702 2020 or email [log in to unmask]

Over the last four years the EARL Consortium, which is now made up of 165 Partners, has established a firm footing in progressing many of the issues outlined in this report. There is genuine support for the contention that EARL is well placed to play a full and sustained role in Building the New Library Network and looks forward to doing so.


A full response to this document will become available in the near future.


Notes to Editors:
For more details about the EARL Consortium, contact Helen Baigent, Liaison Officer, at the EARL office: e-mail [log in to unmask] or telephone 0171 702 2020.


Helen Baigent, EARL Liaison Officer
Tel: 0171 702 2020 Fax: 0171 702 2019
[log in to unmask]
http://www.earl.org.uk






Helen Baigent, EARL Liaison Officer
Tel: 0171 702 2020 Fax: 0171 702 2019
[log in to unmask]
http://www.earl.org.uk






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