Re-birth of Earl? - often the difference between ideal and real is substance
& capacity. The PN Team must have their hands full at present and probably
haven't the capacity to take on the aspects of Earl's original roles we're
discussing.
If PN Team should have the role ... and are prepared to accept it ... how to
achieve the capacity ... and perhaps, the funding for it?
Setting aside the notion that more "central government sourced funding could
be found for this (but very much not discounting or dismissing it!), if
Earl's capacity was underpinned by direct contributions from library service
subscriptions, is that a model for funding additional like capacity within
the PN Team ... or would the accountability that might have to go with this
create unnacceptable tensions. Or could something "Earl-like" be set up
within the PN Team to accomodate that accountability - and would library
services get their cheque books out to fund it?
Mike Maguire
Group Librarian S & E Devon
Devon Lifelong Learning
01392 384223
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/
Unless otherwise stated the views expressed are
personal and not necessarily those of Devon County Council
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frances Hendrix [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 15 November 2001 10:38
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: How to guides for computers
>
> Philip is, in my opinion absolutely right in the need for this coordinated
> approach, and that the People's Network Team are the appropriate body now
> that Earl, alas, is no longer running. It would have been an ideal role
> for
> Earl to perform, and one that Earl recognized was missing and would have
> like to have taken up.
> If the PN isn't going to take it on. perhaps it is time for the rebirth of
> Earl?
> Frances
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Philip Wark" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:22 AM
> Subject: How to guides for computers
>
>
> > Penny Goddard wrote:I would like to take up Chris Goddard's comment re
> *re-
> > inventing the wheel* in relation to implementing the PN. So far I have
> > heard from many people who state that they do not want to waste time and
> > energy doing what others have already done, but are in the *catch 22*
> > situation of not knowing what has been done elsewhere. Not sure if the
> *not
> > invented here* syndrome prevails -
> > I think most staff are keen to adopt the work of others given the
> pressures
> > they currently operate under? Perhaps there is a need for central
> > (national??) co-ordination of day-to-day service implementation issues
> as
> > well as at policy/best practice level. I know regional collaboration is
> > going on re union catalogues and on specific projects, but is it in
> relation
> > to identifying area of commonality, e.g. in access to email/general
> > guidance to users.
> >
> > These are just my observations - it would be useful to hear others
> views
> > (and their suggestions to improve the situation) -taking account of the
> > regional/national agendas and disparities between different authorities
> etc
> > etc.
> > Penny Garrod
> >
> > Interesting thoughts. EARL or a similar organisation taking a national
> > (UK!) perspective is essential post local government re-organisation and
> > the mess perpetrated by the creation of lots of small authorities with
> > insufficient resources to provide decent services. I've long thought
> there
> > is a role for a national organisation to co-ordinate marketing,
> promotion
> > and shouting about libraries - something similar to the FSA for
> independent
> > financial advisers. Naively I thought this role should be taken on
> board
> > by the LA, but obviously they are not just concerned about public
> > libraries. To be fair the LA does co-ordinate national events etc for
> > public libraries but probably doesn't see its role as promoting
> libraries
> > but librarianship. I would like to see a national advertising campaign
> on
> > TV, newspapers radio etc There should also be a national register of
> good
> > practice where standards - no I don't mean performance indicators DCMS
> et
> > al, are identified and useable by all (possibly annual subscription?)
> This
> > would include customer service charter, guidelines for producing a
> library
> > procedures manual for common activities, advertising material, reader
> > development activities etc etc. I know some of this exists already but
> it
> > is very disparate. - but I digress.
> > Isn't one of the roles of The People's Network Website to promote best
> > practice and provide examples of how learning centres in libraries
> should
> > be done? I don't know about you but I have spent so much time
> implementing
> > training, worrying about audit trails, ensuring we jump through so many
> > hoops I wonder if it is all worth it. In this small authority there
> aren't
> > enough bodies to everything that is expected by NOF. So what about NOF
> > being proactive and taking this role on board?
> > Philip Wark
> > Principal Librarian
> > Midlothian Council Library Service
> > Library HQ
> > 2 Clerk Street
> > Loanhead
> > Midlothian EH20 9DR
> > Tel: 0131 271 3971
> > Fax: 0131 440 4635
> > Vice Chair CSG
> > ----- Original Message -----
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