Apologies for crossposting.
          
          If you have used/ have comments on the British Library, please 
          read on. I know you're all really busy, but if you have the 
          chance to send written comments to the DCMS BY 17th DECEMBER, 
          please do! Contact address is:
          
          Emma Scott
          Libraries, Information and Archives Division
          Department for Culture,Media and Sport
          2-4 Cockspur Street, London
          SW1Y 5DH
          
          If you are wanting to check what the Library does in the health 
          field, details are at http://www.bl.uk/services/stb/hcis.html
          
          Please forward this information to anyone else you think might 
          want to comment. Thank you.
          
          Fiona McLean
          
          *     *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *
          
          The Dept of Culture, Media and Sport are doing a 'Quinquennial 
          Review' of the British Library.
     
          The Cabinet Office requires that the functions carried out by all 
          Non-Departmental Public Bodies (of which the Library is one) 
          should be reviewed on a five-yearly basis. The following DCMS 
          Press Notice contains further information. 
          The review is to report to the Secretary of State, and a steering 
          group comprising representatives of the Library, DCMS, Treasury, 
          Cabinet Office and an independent element is to be established to 
          direct the work of the review.
          
          The DCMS aim to complete the review by April 2000. Their press 
          release:
     
     286\99 18 November 1999
     
     THE BRITISH LIBRARY - YOUR CHANCE TO COMMENT
     
     The management arrangements for the British Library are to be examined 
     and reviewed - with users of the Library having an important role - 
     Arts Minister Alan Howarth announced today.
     
     The British Library, which is the national centre for reference, study 
     and bibliographical and other information services for both science 
     and the humanities, is to be the subject of a review which will look 
     at its role and functions, how those functions can best be carried 
     out, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which the 
     Library delivers services to its users.
     
     The Cabinet Office require that the functions carried out by 
     non-departmental public bodies should be reviewed every five years. 
     This is the first such review of the British Library.
     
     Individuals and organisations with an interest in the Library will be 
     encouraged to make known their views on the Library's performance. The 
     Department aims to complete the review during the Spring of 2000.
     
     Arts Minister Alan Howarth said:
     
     "The British Library is known around the world for its unsurpassed 
     collection of books and manuscripts. It provides internationally 
     important reading room and enquiry services and the world's leading 
     document supply service. The opening of the Library's new St Pancras 
     building in November 1997 has allowed the Library to develop these 
     services and provide improved access to the public. Now is the time to 
     build on those achievements by looking at how effective the Library's 
     services are and to see what improvements could be made.
     
     "I particularly want to hear the views of individuals and 
     organisations who have an interest in the British Library. It is 
     important that the Library provides an efficient service to its users 
     and we want it to be managed in the best possible way."
     
     The review will be comprehensive, wide-ranging and vigorous and is 
     intended to:
     
     ·  examine how the Library has performed in the past;
     
     ·  consider what its aims and objectives should be; and
     
     ·  review the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which the 
     Library delivers its services and make recommendations for its future 
     development and management.
     
     Notes to Editors
     
     1. The British Library is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) 
     sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The 
     functions of all NDPBs are subject to periodic review to establish 
     whether the Government needs to continue to perform them. Reviews also 
     play an important role in the Modernising Government agenda.
     
     2. Comments on the work of the British Library should be sent in 
     writing - by 17 December - to:
     
     Emma Scott
     Libraries, Information and Archives Division Department for Culture, 
     Media and Sport
     2-4 Cockspur Street, London
     SW1Y 5DH
     
     
               




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