With apologies for cross-posting
National Forum for Information Planning (NFIP) News Release
30 September 1999 For immediate release
*Libraries add value to business*
*Action at all levels demanded by new report*
A study of library collaboration in support of the business sector recommends action across the board to improve current arrangements. "Information Intertrading: Successful partnerships in library and information services" directs important recommendations to Government Departments, specifically the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Trade and Industry, the Library and Information Commission, Local Authorities, Regional Library Systems, Regional Development Agencies, Government Offices, and Higher Education institutions. In effect, "Information Intertrading" sets out a national strategy to meet the information needs of business and promote economic development.
The project was commissioned by the British Library Research and Innovation Centre, as part of its programme on the value and impact of library and information services (LIS) co-operation, in collaboration with Hatrics The Southern Information Network. Research was carried out by Capital Planning Information Ltd. The project investigated the economic value of LIS co-operation, cross-sectoral arrangements and multi-local authority working, using Hatrics as a testbed. "Information Intertrading", the project report, identifies the critical success factors that characterise the long-established Hatrics partnership, and draws lessons from its experience which are transferable to other areas of the UK.
Hatrics is a 330-member network of commercial and industrial companies, public and health service libraries, further and higher education institutions, government organisations and research bodies in a wide area of Southern England. "Information Intertrading" makes recommendations for the future of Hatrics as a Web-based service in the context of Best Value in local government, changing political factors, and national ICT initiatives such as the New Library Network. The recommendations include service level agreements, performance indicators, marketing, training, and acting as a gateway to the Internet.
"The research shows how highly its users value Hatrics' services", comments CPI's Managing Director David Barton. "It proves the importance of cost-effective LIS support for a thriving business culture, drawing on cross-sectoral alliances between information providers, mutual co-operation and the pooling of resources under a single umbrella."
Bernard Naylor, Project Head and Librarian, University of Southampton, says: "The study shows that political will is a prime factor in creating and maintaining the partnerships necessary for providing high quality, premium information services, which are so clearly valued by business and industry".
Paul Turner, Hatrics Hon. Secretary and County Librarian, Hampshire, adds: "The lessons of the Hatrics experience can be extrapolated to the national scene. They highlight the need for joined-up thinking and action at all levels. They focus on the importance of evolving networks of organisations to maximise the available information resources in support of economic development".
Copies of "Information Intertrading: Successful partnerships in library and information services" by Capital Planning Information Ltd and Hatrics the Southern Information Network (British Library Research and Innovation Report 158, ISBN 07123 9747 7, ISSN 1366-8218) are available from Nick Fox, Assistant Honorary Secretary, Hatrics, 81 North Walls, Winchester SO23 8BY, price £38 inc. Tel: 01962 846 077. Fax: 01962 856 615. [log in to unmask]
/ends
Notes to Editors
1. For snail-mail recipients only: The Summary of Recommendations of "Information Intertrading: Successful partnerships in library and information services" and a flyer for the publication are enclosed.
2. Review copies of "Information Intertrading" and a photo of Bernard Naylor, the Project Head, are available from Nick Fox, Assistant Honorary Secretary, Hatrics, 81 North Walls, Winchester SO23 8BY.
Tel: 01962 846 077. Fax: 01962 856 615. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
3. For further information on Information Intertrading, contact:
Don Kennington, Capital Planning Information (CPI) Ltd, 91 High Street, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0BH.
Tel: 01749 812 963. Fax: 01749 812 964. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
or
Nick Fox, Hatrics (details above).
4. The National Forum for Information Planning (NFIP) was established as LIPLINC in 1989 at the request of the Office of Arts and Libraries to monitor the development of Library and Information Plans (LIPs) in the UK. It consists of LIP Directors and Managers together with representatives of other cross-sectoral UK library and information networks. The Library and Information Commission and the British Library have Observer status. NFIP is a Panel of LINC, the Library and Information Co-operation Council.
5. For further information on NFIP, contact: NFIP Chair Carl Clayton, Director, SINTO, Learning Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Pond Street, Sheffield S1 1WB.
Tel: 0114 225 4711. Fax: 0114 225 4755. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
6. News release issued for NFIP by Pat Wressell Associates, Press Officer.
Tel: 0191 281 3502. Fax: 0191 212 0146. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|