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>From the Library and Information Commission web site: Stuart Brewer ---------------------------------------------------- PRESS RELEASE for immediate use 1 July 1999 CHRIS SMITH ANNOUNCES £20,000 IN NEW ICT PRIZES New Library Award for ICT launched at UmbrelLA 5 Chris Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, opened the UmbrelLA 5 conference in Manchester today with an announcement of further funding to encourage public libraries to exploit new information and communication technology. But what makes these awards different is that the money could go to small initiatives that make the most of off-the-shelf technology. The New Library Award for ICT - which stands for Ingenious and Creative use of Technology - will be sponsored by DCMS and administered by LIC, and will provide a total of £20,000 to a winner and a runner up. "We are particularly eager to hear from those who may currently be the unsung heroes of the library IT revolution," said Mr Smith. "For this reason, LIC will accept applications from individual service points as well as library authorities." Projects that might qualify for a prize could include a new use for technology to promote literacy as part of the National Year of Reading - interactive storytelling for example. Other examples might be the development of shared resources with local schools and colleges to encourage returners to learning, reminiscence projects using the local history collection in partnership with a local museum, or support for local businesses in e-commerce or for the council in interactive local government. Following today's announcement, application details will appear in September's Library Association Record and on the LIC website. Announcement of the award winners is likely to be early in the New Year. "I look forward to seeing the entries, which will show what the imagination and enterprise of even small libraries can do in the field of IT, and provide examples of good practice as we move to implementation of the Public Libraries Network," Mr Smith added. The Secretary of State also brought delegates up to date on how the £200,000 ringfenced for enhancing services to blind and visually impaired library users would be spent. The LIC will be working in partnership with Share the Vision, funding a range of projects including upgrading the National Union Catalogue of Alternative Formats and improving access for all. Referring to the busy time that the LIC had had since the publication of the Government's response to New Library: the People's Network, Mr Smith commented on its new, expanded role of overall responsibility for strategic development of libraries, and its preparation for the transition next April to the new Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. He also offered his congratulations and best wishes to the newly appointed Chief Network Adviser Chris Batt as he prepares for the task of overseeing the implementation of the New Library Network. Note for Editors The Library & Information Commission was established in 1995 to be a national focus of expertise in the field of library and information services. Its core objectives are to provide a single, coherent and efficient source of advice to Government on all issues in the field, to draw its attention to emerging trends and suggest appropriate responses to them, and to provide all advice on the basis of as full a process of consultation as possible. In April 1999 it substantially expanded its research role by assuming responsibility for the research commissioning and funding activities formerly carried out by the British Library. In April 2000 it is due to be absorbed into the new Museums, Libraries & Archives Council. Press contact: Tim Owen, Library & Information Commission. 19-29 Woburn Place, London WC1H 0LU. Tel: 0171 273 8715. Fax: 0171 273 8701. E-mail: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%