Tuesday 3rd August, 1999
First New Opportunities Fund to Train Library
Staff in the Use of ICT
The New Opportunities Fund today launched a £20 million
programme to train all public library staff in the use of
information, communications and technology (ICT). The
training will help to equip public library staff with the skills,
knowledge and confidence to use ICT effectively in their
day-to-day work and to use new technology to benefit the
users of public libraries.
The Chair of the New Opportunities Fund, Baroness
Pitkeathley said, "Library staff play a central role in
supporting learning for all ages and helping people to
access information. At the New Opportunities Fund we
hope that by using National Lottery money to boost public
library staff training we will help many more people to
benefit from new technology and the world wide web."
The training will ensure that all public library staff achieve
a basic level of competence in the use of ICT. Front line
staff will be able to navigate the internet and help people
to make the best use of the ICT facilities in the library.
Each Library Service will be allocated funding for the
training. Libraries can select the training providers from a
list provided by the New Opportunities Fund, or by
choosing providers who meet the New Opportunities Fund
published criteria.
The training will enable public library staff to use ICT to
support reader development, help users in their learning
and find information for library users. Library services will
also be able to direct some of their funding allocation
towards more advanced training, where they have staff
who are already experienced in ICT.
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