Chris Batt Chief Network Adviser Library and Information Commission

PEOPLE’S NETWORK DEVELOPMENT TEAM Chris Batt David Potts Susi Woodhouse AN Other

THE MISSION “To improve the quality of life for all citizens by facilitating the creation of the People’s Network as a sustainable network of access points/learning centres that will provide a national gateway or channel co-ordinating all public sector information resources.”

THE MONEY NOF - £170m (plus £100m) CMF - £500m

ACTIVITIES Funding sources/regimes Information/advice/guidance Action research/monitoring Lobby for the sector

NETbase RESULTS Service points connected to Net for public access % % %

LOBBYING FOR THE SECTOR Wider networking agenda PAT 15 CMF UfI Lord Chancellor’s Office Modernising government ETC

WHAT IS THE PEOPLE’S NETWORK?

THE PEOPLE’S NETWORK Physical access route Agent for cultural development Channel for public service information

1 - ACCESS ROUTE Government commitment - Building the New Library Network –4000+ public libraries connected by the end of 2002 –learning centres in all libraries - ‘Net access, training resources and trained staff –Broad interpretation of learning for life

Education and lifelong learning Citizens’ information Business and the economy Community history and identity National digital library

2 - CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Unifying force for museums, libraries and archives Agent of production Key resource for learning networks (at community, regional and national levels)

3 - CHANNEL OF SERVICE INTEGRATION Means of drawing together public service information (local and national) Common interface within the community The network resources that are available to everyone The acceptable face of Cyberspace

THE NETWORK ICEBERG People’s Network National Grid for Learning University for Industry Janet/FE Government services - NHS.net/NeLH, Community Legal Service Internet and everything else

Could the People’s Network be the catalyst for a National Information Strategy?

PLACE TO SPACE From ‘never open’ to ‘never closed’ The community grid Public service portal

NEVER OPEN TO NEVER CLOSED Traditional services Extending the existing model and processes ICT as new channel

THE COMMUNITY GRID Communities of interest The integration of local services and information Horizontal connectivity Community development –learning –cohesion, empowerment

WHY THE LIBRARY SERVICE? Status of the service Skills of the staff The land of opportunity

INCH

The world of Cyberspace Local community Local institutions Local services Local services Local services

The world of Cyberspace Local community Local services Local institutions Local services Local services Local services Local services

The world of Cyberspace Local community Local services Local institutions Local services Local services Local services Local services public library

PUBLIC SERVICE PORTAL Leading the charge Beating the post office At the heart of government policy Commitment, courage, vision...

I want to start a business Investigate options Set up the company Develop/support

The People’s Network How can I help?

PLEASE ENTER YOUR QUESTION IN PLAIN ENGLISH... ? I want to start a business

INVESTIGATION MARKET OPTIONS Directories Research reports Trends Local supply DEMAND Catchment Socio-economy Supply chains TECHNICAL DECISIONS Accommodation R and D Start up Library Research Tec Local authority Govt reports Business club Research Assoc Web docdel

REGISTRATION CENTRAL GOV DTI Inland Rev Customs and Excise Companies House LOCAL GOV Planning Trading Stands Business sppt OTHER UfI TEC Business club Trade Assoc Financial advice Please swipe your smart card Personal profile

DEVELOPMENT/SUPPORT TRAINING UfI Learning centres SUPPORT Business aid Financial advice INTEREST Professional groups Subject resources Information alert documents listserv web alert

THE PEOPLE’S NETWORK Business Medical Consumer Learning Empowering Travel, leisure Just for the fun of it...

THE END?

YOUR TASK Commit to a shared strategic vision Get stuck in Review other priorities Work with new partners Consider future sustainability Get organised as a region Promote unique roles/identity

UNIQUE ROLES Community memory bank –information management, responding to local need, books (the public good) Community resource centre –learning for life, community development, supporting the excluded Universal access Access to a national brand

UNIVERSAL ACCESS Wherever there is Internet access 24 hour service No price barriers Support for those with special needs

BRAND STRENGTHS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY Reliable Trusted Community based Accessible services and resources (eg books) Caring service (public good) Sustaining tradition

HOW TO BRAND PUBLIC LIBRARIES UK COMMUNITY ‘FRONT END’ National model with local frills Integrating local and national services Recommended sites (gateways) Creating and sharing local assets Interface to the People’s Network

THE PEOPLE’S NETWORK Delivering the 2020 Vision Integrator of national information policy People’s access route to national, regional and local information assets Engine of economic, cultural and social development Unifying force of the Information Age