PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18th June 1998
EARL, The Consortium for Public Library Networking
New Library: EARL's reply to the Government
EARL has this week sent the DCMS its reply to the Government's response to
New Library: the People's Network. The full response is available on the
EARL web site, at
http://www.earl.org.uk/information/responses/dcms.html.
EARL welcomes the Government's commitment to public libraries and the
recognition of their leading role in the delivery of all five objectives in
'Our Information Age'. The Consortium also asserts that the momentum
created by this and other Government policies (NGfL, UfI, It for All, etc.)
must be maintained.
The Consortium has identified five key roles for EARL in this context,
raising awareness of the issues that must be addressed by public libraries:
. EARL as leader: the voice of the emerging New Public Library
. EARL as facilitator: the bridge from national policy to local and
regional activity
. EARL as architect: in policy development
. EARL as identifier: of local models and the definition of electronic
content
. EARL as exemplar: demonstrating the possibilities in the networked
environment
However, EARL is concerned that there is as yet no clear view on the
structure and remit of a development agency for the public library network,
and suggests that this key role should not be diluted across several
organisations, rather it should be a single body with a remit to liaise
with other relevant organisations.
EARL supports the allocation of ?50 million for electronic content
creation, but maintains that the definition of content should be broadened
from simply digitised resources to electronic information services. Issues
in the provision of content and its ongoing management that must be
considered include:
. Users' needs
. Standards and identification of best practice
. Prioirities and balance
. Added-value - digitised materials shaped and focused using the traditi
onal skills of the librarian
. Ongoing management - including storage, copyright, charging and use
issues
EARL also welcomes the investment of ? 20 million on ICT training for
library staff, and urges the consideration of the following issues:
. Training needs analysis
. Timing of training
. Time to train
. The training mix
. Funding distribution
The importance of the network infrastructure cannot be underestimated and
is of immediate concern to library authorities. The pump-priming funds from
the DCMS-Wolfson fund were most welcome, but EARL is disappointed that a
more substantial sum was not identified for this purpose. EARL believes
that the existing and emerging networks across sectors and localities
should be utilised, and communication between networks must be of good
quality.
PTO
Local taxes have traditionally been used to support the information needs
of the local community, but this will no longer be feasible with respect to
the public library network and related electronic information services. New
economic models will be necessary to secure the required infrastructure.
EARL supports the general tenor of the Government's proposals. The
conference EARL and the New Public Library held last November identified
many of the key tasks required to address the issues surrounding the
effective implementation of the public library network. In drawing the
attention of the DCMS to various issues in this regard, EARL represents the
voice of the networked public library community.
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Notes to Editors
New Library : The People's Network: Report commissioned from the Library
and Information Commission by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
It is available from the Library and Information Commission or at
http://www.lic.gov.uk/publications/newlibrary.html
Terms of Reference for the Network Implementation Committee:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/LIC-TOR.HTM
Creation of Digitised Content:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/ANNEXC.HTM
Information and Communications Technology Training for Public Library
Staff:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/ANNEXB.HTM
New Opportunities fund - Policy Directions:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/WEBNOF.HTM
Our Information Age:
Available from the Department of Trade and Industry
Connecting the Learning Society, the National Grid for Learning:
http://www.open.gov.uk/dfee/grid/index.htm
University for Industry:
http://www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/ufi/index.htm
For more details about the EARL Consortium see our website at
http://www.earl.org.uk or contact Helen Copeman at EARL, 4th Floor, Gun
Court, 70 Wapping Lane, London E1 9RL; tel: 0171 702 2020; email:
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