UKOLNAnnual Report1 August 2000 to 31 July 2001 |
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UKOLNAnnual Report1 August 2000 to 31 July 2001 |
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UKOLN
University of Bath
Bath BA2 7AY
UK
Phone: +44 (0)1225 826580
Fax: +44 (0)1225 826838
URL: <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/>
E-mail: ukoln@ukoln.ac.uk
© Resource and The University of Bath, 2001.
ISSN 1466-2949
UKOLN: report for the period 1 August 2000 to 31 July 2001: presented to Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries and to the JISC. (Library and Information Commission research report 125)
Resource grant number: LIC/RE/033
Library and Information Commission reports may be purchased as photocopies or microfiches from the British Thesis Service, British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ. (Tel 01937-546229) (Fax 01937-546286).
In many ways, this year has been a particularly significant one for UKOLN at the University of Bath. Following the organisational re-alignment completed in April 2000, we have established a presence within the Division of Access and Continuing Studies (DACS) and have developed fruitful collaborations with other DACS Centres such as the Centre for the Development of New Technologies in Learning. Working with this group we have completed a study on e-tools for the e-University, and contributed to the University of Bath e-learning programme.
I joined UKOLN in October 2000 and am indebted to Rachel Heery for providing leadership as Acting Director during the interim period preceding my appointment. Much of the next few months was spent "getting to know" the staff, learning how the organisation worked, becoming more familiar with the work areas and building new relationships with JISC and Resource.
It was indeed an opportune time to look afresh at all aspects of UKOLN activities and a formal Review was commissioned by Resource in partnership with the JISC. The Review was carried out during January - March 2001 by the Information Management Research Institute at the University of Northumbria and a Final Report was prepared for Resource in April. I am pleased to confirm that the Report was very positive and recognised the success that UKOLN has achieved over past years and the significant impact made at a technical and strategic level; we were also recognised to deliver good value for money.
As a part of the Review process and completed later, we have produced a new three-year Strategy and Work Programme which will be made available more widely in due course, and which outlines the future objectives and deliverables for UKOLN. Whilst continuing to support work in established areas, it also highlights new challenges including linking with grid developments in the research community and providing appropriate support and guidance to the further education community.
The successful outcomes of the Review are largely due to the hard work and total commitment of the staff over many years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contributions to the Review and for the many and varied achievements throughout this year. I would also like to express my appreciation for the welcome and support they have given me in my new role.
Finally, thanks are due to the Management Committee and in particular to the Chair, Ray Lester, Professor James Calderhead, Dean of DACS, and Howard Nicholson, University Librarian for valued advice and guidance. The University has continued to provide accommodation in the Library and Learning Centre and in Wessex House: we are grateful for this support and UKOLN will to continue to contribute to University goals and collaborate with Library and other University staff in joint initiatives in the future.
Dr Liz Lyon
Director, UKOLN
November 2001
UKOLN is a national focus of expertise in digital information management. It provides policy, research and awareness services to the UK library, information and cultural heritage communities. Its goals are to: