1 UKOLN is supported by: UK Public Libraries in the 21st century Penny Garrod, UKOLN, University of Bath a centre of expertise in digital information management

2 Todays session 1.Introductions 2.Brainstorming exercise (not quite trivial pursuit) 3.Public libraries: political and cultural context 4.Libraries in transition: traditional versus innovative services 5.New electronic services: a few examples 6.Staff issues 7.Conclusions and final discussion.

3 Key facts 60 per cent of people hold a public library ticket Around 400 million visits to public libraries every year; 10 million people make a visit to a public library at least once a fortnight from Dept Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS): Lottery-funded Peoples Network project - computers and Internet access in public libraries Feb 2003:Dept Culture, Media and Sport publish Framework for the Future – Governments 10 year plan for public libraries The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA): created by DCMS in National development agency for museums, libraries and archives in England

4 The legal framework Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Public library service provided by local authorities in England and Wales under superintendence of the Secretary of State Library authorities have a duty to provide : a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring thereof an adequate stock of books and other printed matter and media and encouraging adults and children to make full use of the library service to allow access to their libraries to all comers, and their obligation to lend only to those who live or work or study full-time in their areas Local authorities must comply with: Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Freedom of Information Act 2000 – comes into force Jan 2005

5 The political framework DCMS MLA Regional agencies e.g. SWMLAC; SEMLAC; LLDA etc. Secretary of State oversees delivery of public library service by local library authorities under terms of Public Libraries and Museums Act, 1964 Local government Unitary authorities; County & Borough Councils Library authorities 149 separate authorities in England operating over 3000 central & branch libraries mobile libraries

6 Whos Who in Public Libraries Rt Hon Lord McIntosh of Haringey. Minister for Media and Heritage. Responsible for: broadcasting; press and censorship Gambling Libraries and archives ( and other odds and ends ) But note: Estelle Morris is Minister for the Arts : responsible for: Museums and Galleries; the Arts (including Culture Online); National Lottery; Social Policy (including training and education) Therefore: responsibility split between two ministers - although MLA is the Council for Museums, Libraries and Archives. ODPM responsible for funding public libraries; DCMS responsible for policy – further fragmentation

7 Framework for the Future Report published by DCMS, Feb 2003: Sets out the governments vision for public library service based on extensive consultation with key stakeholders Three key areas of activity outlined: 1.Promotion of reading and informal learning 2.Access to digital skills and services including e-government 3.Measures to tackle social exclusion, build community identity and develop citizenship archive_2003/framework_future.htm

8 Organisations working with public library sector Learndirect: access to (and provision) of courses UK online – government digital skills programme centres are based in public libraries (6000 overall) British Library -British Library Co-operation and Partnership Programme: (CPP) Laser Foundation – funding for projects; commissions reports CILIP - Public Libraries Group The Reading Agency – promotes reading and reader development activities LISU – statistics unit based at Loughborough University

9 Towards the hybrid library Digital library Egovernment agenda - digital skills + 24/7 access Web sites; portals; Virtual Reference; Community Information; e-content e.g. online reference; e-books and e-audio Mobile technologies: Wi-Fi; remote access; enabling access via members own equipment Traditional library Social inclusion agenda -Library as community centre Books, magazines, newpapers, CDs, DVDs, VHS etc. Café/retail outlet reading activities; IT sessions; zones for kids

10 Reinventing the public library New building or complete makeover of old Building. creating multi-purpose centres e.g. Idea stores in London: café; kids zone Discovery centres in Hampshire -similar Birmingham -new city centre library in progress Bournemouth - state of the art library Public and local college library partnerships Ongoing debates: - Bookstock versus ICT: criticised for poor bookstock. - Are budgets being channelled into ICT to detriment of bookstock? - What is purpose of public library today? Who are they for?

11 New electronic services Ebooks and e-audio services – several pilots funded to evaluate viability of ebooks in public libraries WiFi hotspots in public libraries (10 pilot sites) –pilot announced 16 March Partnership:MLA, DTI & The Countryside Agency. Targeting rural communities -libraries often only broadband location. Virtual reference services: Answers Now – Somerset CC (Australia/NZ/US)and Answers Direct in Essex libraries (online & phone) Weblog: Gateshead libraries -provide a blog: LiveHelp: real time enquiry service – also at Gateshead libraries see: Mobile technologies: PDAs; MP3 players

12 LiveHelp in Gateshead libraries:

13 Answers now at Somerset County Council

14 Ebook Projects: Peoples Network Excellence Fund. 2. Laser Foundation funding Mixed model approaches: pilot and evaluate various products & delivery models Co-East + Loughboro Uni + Essex libraries (Laser Foundation): ebrary (PC-based) + Overdrive.com (12 x HP iPAQ PDAs) Blackburn with Darwen: (PN Excellence): 40 Compaq iPAQ PDAs - content from Overdrive.com LB Richmond: e-audio + netLibrary + Safari (PC based +Otis MP3 players)

15 Co-East/Loughborough University and Essex libraries PC-based access to e-books + PDAs (HP iPAQ 1910) preloaded with content – lent to readers Remote users can download content to own PDAs eBrary: Coutts/ebrary - general interest collection titles Overdrive:230 titles from Digital Library Reserve website: fiction (Palm reader) +non-fiction (Adobe) – some in both formats Website: Project reports:

16 OverDrive in Essex Libraries

17 Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Services PDAs (40 x Compaq IPAQs with MS Pocket PC 2002). Multipurpose devices - able to support e-audio books (MP3) plus ebooks DRM restrictions (items cannot be swapped between devices) so solution = provide themed collections e.g.science fiction; thrillers for each device Content: e-audio from Audible.com; ebooks from OverDrive Pilot group: young people aged 18-24; senior citizens; mobility impaired; library reading groups and regular and non readers

18 London Borough Richmond upon Thames Model E-audio books - downloaded on Otis MP3 players PC-based ebooks (via 150 terminals in 13 branches) Content netLibrary: >300 non-fiction titles +>3000 out of copyright titles Safari Technical: 254 IT & management titles; facility to swap titles during subscription year; 3 concurrent user licences Audible.com (audio books – fiction and non-fiction) Joint collection with Blackburn & Darwen; download titles onto MP3 Players; 2 pilot user groups

19 Portals to national/local information and resources SeamlessUK (New Opportunities Fund): Example: about Medway: Digitisation projects: NOF-digitise programme via EnrichUK gateway

20 Staff skills Official ICT training programme: Expected outcomes are skills which ALL staff must achieve Advanced (optional) skills include new roles e.g Net Navigator; Information Manager and Educator (5 roles identified) Many staff study for ECDL qualification MLA produce Change management toolkit to guide staff through period of rapid change

21 Staff skills – my view Service planning and building: e-services for the future – sustainable! (financial and people skills) Information architecture: organise and present web-based information so people can use it easily (accessibility/usability; standards etc.) metadata – know what it is and how to apply it (cataloguing reinvented for online environment) Collection development: dealing with suppliers of electronic materials; negotiating site licenses; budgeting Networking/personal skills and qualities: e.g. local councillors; other council depts; consortia; project partners; other sectors; regional agencies; MLA; local councillors Project management skills: spotting funding opportunities and reacting quickly. Delivering results on time.

22 Final thoughts…. Move towards hybrid library model – traditional versus new services. (transitional phase – can be traumatic) Can libraries be all things to all people? Competition: Amazon and online resources + Google factor? Impact on libraries? Role of information professional in 21 st century public library Learning from others – not just libraries and not just UK - borrow good ideas from others -see JISCmail discussion lists: e.g. Lis-pub-libs peoplesnetwork

23 Questions?