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Changes at the Laser Foundation Bernard Naylor is retiring from the chair of the Laser Foundation at the end of this month (July). He took over from Professor Fred Bullock in September 2003. He will be succeeded by the present vice-chair, David Whitaker. Also joining as a trustee is Stephanie Kenna, who since 2001 has directed the British Library management of the Foundations Grant programme. Stephanie, who is Manager of the British Library's Regional and Library Programmes, has been a firm supporter of the Foundation since before its inception, and is extremely knowledgeable in the field of research and development, library development and grant administration. Bernard Naylor commented "Stephanie is an excellent asset to the work of the Foundation". Stephanie is able to take up the role as a Trustee as the contract with the BL to manage the Foundation affairs has now ceased. Bernard Naylor has overseen two calls for funding and the completion of five important pieces of research: * Loughborough University's work on the use of electronic books in the public library service * Controversial report on the organisation and funding of public libraries * Reading and Lewisham libraries' report on their implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act * The "Futures Group" discussion paper on the future of the public library service * Price WaterhouseCooper's study of the impact of public libraries on four of the government's strategic priorities The last two of these were launched at capacity conferences. The Laser Foundation's remaining funds are now fully committed and no more grants will be made. Current projects include: Further work on the state of 'e' resources in libraries, including serial provision, consultation exercises by libraries on what users want. and a major study jointly with DCMS and MLA on why people stop using public libraries. Notes 1. David Whitaker OBE was chairman of the then family business of J. Whittaker & Sons, which published Books in Print, The Bookseller and Whitaker's Almanack. The company set up and ran the UK's ISBN system, Teleordering and BookTrade. David Whitaker chaired the government's PLR Advisory Panel, and the BNB Research Fund. He has been a member of many committees working on electronic systems for the book trade and library world and is an hon. vice president of CILIP. 2. The Laser Foundation is a grant making trust whose mission is to improve library facilities available to the public. Recent recipients of grants have included Reading Borough Libraries (to build a new sensory children's library and train staff), Senate House Library (to make archives more accessible to public library users) and the Clore Duffield Foundation (to sponsor a dynamic and promising public librarian to undertake the one-year Clore Leadership Programme). For more information, contact: Frances Hendrix Company Secretary c/o Martin House Farm Hilltop Lane Whittle-le-Woods Near Chorley Lancashire PR6 7QR Tel: 01257 274 833 Fax: 01257 266 488 E-mail [log in to unmask] http://www.bl.uk/about/cooperation/laser.html ************************************************************************** Experience the British Library online at www.bl.uk Help the British Library conserve the world's knowledge. Adopt a Book. www.bl.uk/adoptabook ************************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this e-mail and notify the [log in to unmask] : The contents of this e-mail must not be disclosed or copied without the sender's consent. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the British Library. The British Library does not take any responsibility for the views of the author. **************************************************************************