8 Implementation -
creating the momentum
- 8.1
- The proposals contained in this report pave the way for the complete
transformation of public libraries in the UK. Libraries can now assume a
central role, delivering access to information and communication
technologies vital to national success. The networking of public
libraries will place them in the forefront of the drive to create an
educated, informed and ICT-literate society.
- 8.2
- Information and communication technologies are a major force for
change in almost every sphere of activity, including areas which already
have well-established links with libraries - particularly in education,
government, industry and commerce. This creates an exciting mix. It is
essential that the implementation of our strategy relates to this wider
context.
- 8.3
- We see the following as the main challenges:
- For government - to take a lead in developing and delivering
an integrated national information policy with a strong emphasis on a
central role for libraries.
- For the technology and communication industries - to seize
the opportunity for provision and management of network infrastructure,
services and content for libraries.
- For libraries and library authorities - to embrace the
concept of the new library and to provide a new and dynamic interface
between people, technology and information.
- For educators - to ensure that the benefits that can be
delivered by information and communication technologies are available
both to those in school and formal education and to independent lifelong
learners.
- 8.4
- Partnerships between these groups will be essential to achieve the
revolutionary transformation we are seeking. Each has an important role
to play.
- 8.5
- The single most important step is for government to signal its
commitment to its information policy by providing a comprehensive and
consistent approach to the development and application of information
and communication technologies in public libraries, with the UK Public
Library Network at the centre. This approach must mesh with similar
initiatives in the education sector and elsewhere, building on the
relationships that already exist, and - given the high level of
investment required for each component of our strategy - focusing
resources on areas of common purpose.
- 8.6
- The government's commitment may be registered in four ways:
- by establishing a central coordinating mechanism which brings
together the appropriate government departments and regulatory
authorities;
- by establishing a development agency - the Public Library Networking
Agency - to energise and coordinate networking developments in public
libraries;
- by developing appropriate partnerships between the public and private
sectors to implement the strategy;
- by providing a funding commitment which will encourage others to
contribute to the costs of the public library networking plan.
Agents for change
- 8.7
- The main elements in each of these strands should be as follows:
A central coordinating mechanism
- 8.8
- This should be specifically responsible for ensuring that our
proposals for libraries are taken forward by government in step with
similar initiatives, particularly in education and learning. It should
therefore involve those departments and agencies with interests in the
development of a national infrastructure, the creation and dissemination
of content, and the provision of education and lifelong learning. It is
essential for this mechanism to have a UK-wide focus and remit.
Establishing partnerships
- 8.9
- Our strategy for libraries provides the opportunity to combine a
public good with a commercial return. We believe that partnership is
essential if we are to unlock the resources required to deliver and
develop our vision and stimulate achievement. We recommend that
government initiates urgent discussions with telecommunications
companies, service providers, content creators, and hardware and
software producers in order to establish new partnership arrangements
that will provide the means of implementing our strategy.
The Public Library Networking Agency
- 8.10
- There is an immediate need to establish a single UK body - a
development agency - to act on behalf of the public library sector in
order to:
- lead and coordinate development and implementation of networking
across the UK public library sector;
- act as a focal point for discussions with the private sector;
- provide the link with government in developing the public library
element of an integrated strategy for information;
- market the concept of public library networking among library
authorities, identifying the benefits that will result from prompt
participation;
- be responsible for the management and channelling of central funds
towards the implementation of the public library networking plan;
- establish a programme for developing new products in:
- content and services;
- network infrastructure;
- staff training.
- 8.11
- The Public Library Networking Agency will be a small tight-knit body
with a UK-wide remit. It should take its policy direction from the
Library and Information Commission, with the necessary arrangements for
full participation by representatives from Scotland and Wales. (The
LIC's remit covers only England and Northern Ireland - except in matters
related to research and international issues, when Scotland and Wales
are also represented.)
- 8.12
- It will operate by commissioning other bodies to undertake the
various elements of the public library networking development. The
elements of its responsibilities are as shown below.
Content and services
- 8.13
- Bodies will be commissioned to provide the following:
- consortia purchasing - supporting the arrangements at local, regional
and national level;
- new databases and resources - developing subject-based or
local/regional resources and databases around key needs and issues;
- digitisation projects - local/regional/UK initiatives to access
special collections or those best served by digitisation technologies;
- information on the Internet - coordinating and facilitating access to
resources;
- enhanced library cooperation - networked access to library catalogues
and enhanced interlending and related facilities.
Training and development
- 8.14
- Bodies will be commissioned to provide the following:
- training strategy management - overall management of the UK training
strategy;
- networked training resources - commissioning new resources for
manager and staff training, networked for local use;
- training events - organising local and regional training events;
- training trainers - managing the training of local library trainers
to support a 'cascade' process.
Networks
- 8.15
- Bodies will be commissioned to provide the following:
- UK infrastructure - managing the higher-level public library network
for speed and quality of connectivity;
- local infrastructure - negotiation with library authorities to
upgrade local networks to a common standard;
- access innovation - developing innovative technology to ease access
for new users, the isolated, and people with disabilities;
- access policy and strategy - coordinating policy and strategy around
free/charged services, cross-sectoral networking, and community
communications.
A funding commitment
- 8.16
- Funding will be required from various sources, but it will be
necessary for government to provide a meaningful contribution, both as a
signal of intent and as an incentive for others to participate. We
therefore believe there is a minimum requirement for government to:
- fund the work of the Public Library Networking Agency;
- underwrite the costs associated with a UK training programme for
librarians;
- provide or broker central funding to initiate the implementation of
the UK Public Library Network and to incentivise library authorities and
other partners to participate from the beginning.
- 8.17
- In this way government leadership will generate and guarantee the
momentum to create a model of excellence which will be visible across
the world.
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