Apologies for cross posting




Resource Launches Manifesto


Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries has launched its
manifesto. The document outlines the organisation's vision for the future,
its objectives and core values, and contains an action plan for the year
ahead.

Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, commented:
"Resource has set out an exciting and challenging agenda. It has the
wholehearted support and commitment of Government and I wish it well."

Matthew Evans, Chairman of Resource, added: "Museums, archives and
libraries have a central role to play in sustaining and developing cultural,
social, educational and economic well-being. They are rich in flair,
creativity and imagination. The task for Resource is to harness and develop
these qualities in order to enrich everyone's lives, and to enhance the ways
in which the sector is funded, managed, used and enjoyed.

"We aim to change the context in which museums, archives and libraries
operate and to make a difference by providing strategic direction, advocacy
and advice across the sector as a whole. There is much to be done and
additional support from Government will be necessary for us to fulfil an
expanded portfolio of responsibilities."



2/ Resource Launches Manifesto

Neville Mackay, Chief Executive of Resource, commented: "This will be a
challenging year for us, but we have made a good start. The review of the
museum Registration Scheme will be completed by the end of the month, and we
will shortly launch a new £600,000 fund to encourage the development of
sector-wide work in the regions."


Highlights of Resource's work programme for the next year include:

* Policy reviews on sector-wide issues such as standards, training,
stewardship and skills development.

* Developing a new sector-wide education standard as part of a
programme to promote education and access.

* Extending the People's Network into museums and archives and working
with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to develop cultural content
for the World Wide Web.

* Establishing a new fund worth £600,000 over two years to encourage
development of sector-wide work in the English regions.

* Developing a research strategy to inform policy needs across all
three sectors.



The manifesto will be available on the Resource website at
www.resource.gov.uk <http://www.resource.gov.uk> from 19 July. To obtain a
hard copy please telephone Sarah Woodward, Communications Assistant, on 020
7233 4200.

# # #

For further information or to interview Neville Mackay, Chief Executive,
please contact Emma Wright, Press Officer, or Julie Taylor, Director of
Communications, on 020 7233 4200.

Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries is a new strategic
agency which will work with museums, libraries and archives across the UK.
It replaced the Museums & Galleries Commission and the Library and
Information Commission on 3 April 2000. Resource is funded by the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport and has an annual budget of £22
million in 2000-2001.

07/00
Sarah Woodward
Communications Assistant
Resource
The Council for Museums Archives and Libraries
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.resource.gov.uk <http://www.resource.gov.uk>



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