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Apologies for cross-posting
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Simon Edwards appointed consultant to BIC’s e4libraries project
Simon Edwards, who has worked with BIC on its e4books project for the last three years, has been appointed as lead consultant on its new venture, e4libraries, a project funded by the Museums Libraries and Archives Council as part of the Better Stock, Better Libraries (BSBL) programme, aimed at increasing the efficiency of the library supply chain by encouraging the wider use of e-commerce, promoting interoperability between systems and maintaining a robust standards infrastructure. His first task will be to produce a scoping report and discussion document in the autumn, which will define the programme of activity BIC will adopt in its future work with the library sector.
Simon Edwards said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with BIC on this project and hope that some of the lessons we have learnt from the e4books project will be equally appropriate to the challenges of the library sector.”
Martin Palmer, of Essex Libraries and BIC board member, said: “The steering committee was impressed with Simon’s work on e4books and the enthusiasm and freshness we believe he can bring to this new project. This appointment will be good for BIC and for the library sector as a whole.”
BSBL Programme Director Andrew Stevens said: “e4libraries will make an important contribution to encouraging the adoption of standards in library stock supply. Simon’s experience in e4books will be very helpful to libraries and our work in streamlining and improving their stock supply chain.”
Ends
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council works with the nine regional agencies in the MLA Partnership to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk
Launched in August 2006, MLA’s Better Stock Better Libraries programme will help public libraries buy cheaper books, better matched to customer needs, and available as quickly as from the high street and online booksellers. The programme outlines a national library purchasing model that offers potential savings of up to £20 million a year. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk/website/programmes/framework
BIC, set up and sponsored by The Publishers Association, The Booksellers Association, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and The British Library, develops and promotes standards for electronic commerce and communication in the book and serials industry. Visit www.bic.org.uk
For further information please contact: Debbie Young, Marketing & Communications Manager – Public Libraries, MLA Council. Tel: 020 7273 1432; [log in to unmask]