**Apologies for cross-posting**

PRESS RELEASE	 					      15/10/1998


EARL, the Consortium for Public Library Networking

New Services from EARL
http://www.earl.org.uk/services.html

Public Internet Access in UK Public Libraries
http://www.earl.org.uk/access/

In the light of the Government's response to "New Library: The People's 
Network" which supports the development of electronic services and 
networking in libraries, EARL: the Consortium for Public Library 
Networking, presents its Public Internet Access in UK Public Libraries 
webpages as an essential guide for the public and information professionals 
alike.  It is envisaged that this Web resource will become an essential 
reference tool for those who wish to take advantage of the ongoing 
developments in electronic access to resources in public libraries.

This new service from EARL lists all UK public libraries offering public 
access to the Internet.  The list is indexed by the name of the town or 
locality in which the library is situated, and also by Local Authority to 
enable users to search for other libraries with access in their area.  Each 
entry includes details such as contact address and telephone number of the 
library with a link to the authority's website where one exists.

The site also includes contact details for EARL, who will be keeping the 
list current, and an on-line form for users of the site to tell us of 
changes and additions.  We encourage users to work alongside us to keep 
this new and valuable resource as up to date as possible.

EARL would like to acknowledge the generous assistance of Lloyds/TSB in 
their provision of the initial data for the site.

Euroguide
http://www.euroguide.org/

Euroguide is a subject gateway to websites which contain information about 
the European Union.  It offers access to authoritative sources by means of 
60 subject categories which have been chosen to represent terms actually 
used, rather than "Eurojargon".  The site can also be searched by 
organisation name.  Euroguide has been developed by Essex County Libraries 
with input from members of the EARL European Task Group. The site will make 
it easier for the citizens of Europe to find information on the web, and 
will also provide a more efficient way for public libraries to help their 
users make best use of the web.

Signposts
http://www.earl.org.uk/taskgroups/signposts/index.html

Signposts is a Web based directory, maintained by WRMLS and the EARL 
Language & Literature Task Group.  It provides information sources for the 
supply of materials in languages other than English.  The site is indexed 
by language and provides links to many different types of source, among 
them libraries, bookshops, book suppliers, and published journals.


EARL, the Consortium for Public Library Networking, was established in 1995 
to develop the role of public libraries in providing library and 
information services over the network.  It now has 164 partners in local 
authorities, associate partners in government, the library profession, 
higher education, and the commercial sector including the Library 
Association, the British Library, the UK Office for Library and Information 
Networking, the Department for Education and Employment, and the Department 
for Culture, Media and Sport.

Through collaboration, EARL aims to demonstrate and extend the ability of 
public libraries to deliver networked information and knowledge-based 
services.  These are demonstrated on the EARL Web site (URL: 
http://www.earl.org.uk/) and include the above services, and also:
Ask a Librarian - adding a new electronic dimension to the information 
services which public libraries have always provided and will continue to 
provide.
Familia - the on-line starting-place to find information about materials in 
public libraries which will help you trace your family history.
MagNet - the new way to find magazines, journals and newspapers in public 
libraries throughout the UK.
EARLweb - a ready reference collection of links assembled by EARL to help 
you find your way around in cyberspace.



Notes to Editors
Contact :
For more details about the Public Access to the Internet in UK Public 
Libraries web pages, contact Chris Moore, EARL Information Officer, EARL, 
4th Floor, Gun Court, 70 Wapping Lane, London E1 9RL; tel: 0171 702 2020; 
email: [log in to unmask]

For more details about the EARL Consortium contact Helen Baigent, Liaison 
Officer, at the EARL office; email: [log in to unmask]

--

Chris Moore
EARL Information Officer
Email:  [log in to unmask]
Tel:  (0171) 702 2020
Fax: (0171) 702 2019


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