1. Development of Electronic Services in Public Libraries: Issues and Possibilities Sally Criddle UKOLN University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY UKOLN is funded by Resource, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) of the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils, as well as by project funding from the JISC and the European Union. UKOLN also receives support from the University of Bath where it is based. Email s.criddle@ukoln.ac.uk URL http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/

2. 2 Today we will Explore the current state of public library electronic services Identify possible future electronic services Discuss the issues that are likely to affect the development of these services Try and work collectively to resolve these issues

3. 3 Current Electronic Services Catalogues Online CD-ROMs Community Information Online Public Internet Access Reference Library Use General Web sites

4. 4 Public Library Internet Access 1995-9

5. 5 New Library: The People’s Network A timely vision content driven scenario led Importance of training Led to Building the New Library

6. 6 Outcomes Gaining Government’s ear All public libraries (where practical) connected by 2002 Re-direction of lottery money £100 million for Community Access to Lifelong Learning £50 million for content £20 million for training

7. 7 EARL - RIP 1995-2001 Consortium for public library networking Funded through subscriptions Demonstrator services, Issue Papers, Events Not sustainable

8. 8 Public Internet Access Charged or not charged? Filtered or not filtered? What services are available? Chat FTP E-commerce Games Acceptable Use Policies

9. 9 Catalogues Online Web interface Search/browse Limited Interactivity Can you reserve books? Can you view your library record? How useful are they really?

10. 10 Community Information Online Making the database Web accessible Croydon Online - developing web pages for the local community Businesses Schools Local clubs Lots of commercial competition

11. 11 Public Library Web sites Majority are: static unimaginative online leaflets Not controlled by the library There are exceptions to the rule though

12. 12 Leeds Online Council wide information Interactive and dynamic Local history photos searchable archive webcards memories

13. 13 Reference Library Use A new reference resource Access to global information resources E-mail in reference questions Special interest groups

14. 14 CD-ROMs Lots of Wolfson money has gone on developing CD-ROM networks Networks beginning to extend out to branch libraries Only available when the library is open Interesting licensing issues

15. 15 Future Digital Services What kind of digital services do you want your library to develop? Work in groups Explore ideas Develop top three future services Think about the issues involved in providing these services

16. 16 Standard Services Local History Community Information Children’s Services Book Location/Request Reference New Services?

17. 17 Local History Online Now Details of opening and closing hours Contact details Some digitised photos Local led approach Lack of online catalogues NOF programme focusing on digitisation

18. 18 Corbis $3.95 a digital file for private use Free to view 2.1 Million images online

19. 19 National Local History Photo Service? Local collections feeding into national service Following the model of Corbis Themed approach Commercial possibilities Not just libraries © New Library

20. 20 Community Information Standard service typically electronic different formats different coverage artificial geographical focus research taking place in CIRCE and Seamless

21. 21 National Service One entry point Search locally, nationally Commercial potential database of UK leisure interests advertising potential consumer information Needs national co-ordination

22. 22 Children’s Services Literature focused Low technical skills available Small scale activity Developing the idea of taking the library out of the building

23. 23 Stories from the Web Collaboration between library authorities Central resource with local activities Early indications that high levels of technical expertise are required New partnerships between libraries, publishers and authors Complicated copyright issues

24. 24 National Children’s Service A national central Web resource Activities are developed to be used at a local level Opportunity to share skills Libraries/schools/parents buy in to added value services? Click to order - buy or reserve

25. 25 Book Location Limited local stock leads to a reliance on Inter Library Loans Delivery time takes up to six weeks OPACs available online but only cover local stock Online access to OPACs provide locate service only Comparison with the commercial model?

26. 26 The Commercial Model Millions of items catalogues High quality informative records –designed for the user not the librarian One click ordering Next day delivery Open 24 hours a day National Public Library Catalogue?

27. 27 E-Books Reader-friendly text Integration into libraries requires: new circulation models revised acquisitions policies Change in user expectations Don’t need to visit the library building

28. 28 Reference Currently Some e-mail reference options –Ask A Librarian –Stumpers –Answers Direct from Essex Typically though real time enquiry in person or over the phone when the library is open

29. 29 Desktop Librarian Connect to the public library reference network through a simple desktop icon Access to databases, e-mail services, information resources Emphasis on simplicity of use Emphasis on the library as an everyday/everyminute information resource

30. 30 The 24 Hour Library Moving the library out of its building Not just a catalogue Access to databases via Web pages Taking content off the shelves and onto the network Improving services More effective outreach Equality of access

31. 31 The Future - Part One 100% connectivity - now what? Interoperability Sometimes painful re-assessment of aims and priorities New staff skills required

32. 32 The Future - Part Two Funding from new sources Commercial partnerships Cross-sectoral partnerships Public library partnerships (EARL) Developing a wider vision Regionally Culturally

33. 33 Contacts Sally Criddle s.criddle@ukoln.ac.uk This presentation and links at http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/present/ msc2001/