OneCard - a single, transferable membership for London’s libraries Mike Clarke Director, London Libraries Development Agency SmartCard Networking Forum 31 January 2007

OneCard London’s public libraries: a valued cultural resource 54m visits in 2004/05 (third successive increase) over 2m library membership cards in circulation high level of cross-boundary usage in some boroughs - for books and digital access London libraries website/Project WiLL make users aware of resources pan-London increasing cooperation with other sectors (HE, health)

OneCard BUT: lack of service coordination - authorities running their own systems, regulations and procedures customers must join separately to use facilities processes not always designed in a customer aware manner duplication, confusion - among staff and users!

OneCard Why OneCard? political & managerial interest/will - everything moving towards 2012 MLA support national policy background eg e-enablement and ‘transformational government’, Framework for the Future regional developments - vertical entitlements, smartcard, greater GLA interest

OneCard What will it look like? three possible models or stages customers can access services at 350 local libraries and other venues - fully interchangeable, but with location identifiers to allow for borough-specific services/activities harmonisation of regulations and charges: a simple, clear offer - ‘Don’t Make Me Think!’ possibility of localised branding; sponsorship?

OneCard The PwC report: an investigation funded by MLA and managed by LLDA examined political, legal, technical, financial and customer care implications wide stakeholder consultation general in principle support, with various concerns around cost, ownership

OneCard This is a good opportunity to make it even easier for people to use London's extensive public library network. London's library services are a valuable and important resource for children, students, visitors and business, and a single membership card that can be used in any public library makes good sense. If London can do it, I would like to see other regions offering the same. The government is committed to improving our public libraries and making them more accessible, and making it easier to join and use libraries is another step towards that goal. - David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture, January 2007

OneCard A high profile project with support from the Minister, Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, local elected Members and the public. A London project that could be a model for a national scheme.

OneCard Read the full text of the report at or contact: Mike Clarke

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