Christine May, SLIC Chair
As the financial climate becomes increasingly pressured, all publicly funded services are under scrutiny. Throughout the year there have been proposals for changing or reducing library provision. Library managers in most sectors have been preparing various scenarios to respond to the coming budget round and there will be vigorous public reaction to any proposals for closures.
Statistics from the public library sector collected by SLIC suggest that public support for libraries is growing during the recession, and that visits, the number of borrowers and the number of learning centre users continue to grow. Colleagues in academic libraries note the additional pressures on library and information services with the current high number of students.
SLIC has concerns that, whilst library services are well respected and well used institutions, they are sometimes seen as ‘soft targets’ for cuts. The output of the knowledge economy and skills development is at the heart of the economic recovery but there is a great need for advocacy to convince stakeholders that there is a need for library and information services and staff.
SLIC has devoted considerable time to the development of an advocacy strategy and working with the various sectors to assess the pressures on them. The strategy will support members at local and at national level and will build to a manifesto for libraries for the forthcoming elections in 2011 and 2012. A marketing team from Golley Slater has been appointed to help develop key messages for stakeholder groups and help to raise the profile of libraries.
The pressures on library and information services are not just restricted to financial threats. In the closing days of the last government, the Digital Economy Act was passed. It has potentially massive ramifications for any institution providing internet access. Likewise licencing agencies are challenging the ability of services to continue to provide free access to computers, demanding licences for each public access computer insisting that access equals performance and one equals an audience. Services are intent on maintaining the principles of the People’s Network of free access, as close in nature to home provision as possible, and are seeking a fair-dealing arrangement to protect the platform for digital engagement in libraries. In each case SLIC is working closely with UK colleagues and the agencies involved resolving matters.
Henning Mankell, the author, recently asked How can we abolish absolute illiteracy if we start trimming universal free library provision. Illiteracy is a plague which haunts the world. Print will remain wordless to this section of society.
We all need to consider if the forthcoming budget round will force Scotland’s libraries to ‘stand on one leg’ and what we can do encourage innovation and development in the surviving services.
Photo: Courtesy of Glasgow Metropolitan College
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) launched two new guidance toolkits at the annual SLIC FE Conference in Stirling last December. The first was Service Development and Self-evaluation for Library and Information Services in Scottish FE Colleges, a new toolkit to replace the previously published Resources and Services to Support Learners. SLIC’s new guidance for FE college libraries has been produced in collaboration with HMIe, JISC Regional Support Centres and the FE Librarians’ Community of Practice. Anticipating the major curricular change triggered by Curriculum for Excellence (now part of the learning and teaching strategy in every college) the guidance identifies good library practice and maps it to the current HMIe Quality Framework for Scotland’s Colleges.
The FE self-evaluation guidelines form part of a suite of tools being developed by SLIC and the JISC Regional Support Centres to assist college libraries with service development and self evaluation including a new annual survey to be circulated this summer.
The joint SLIC and CILIP in Scotland (CILIPS) publication, A Guide to Using Web2.0 in Libraries was then launched in the afternoon. Created as a cross sector promotional tool for using Web2.0 in libraries the publication is supported by a range of webpages offering practical support.
Improving libraries for learners, the latest SLIC guide to self-evaluation for school libraries, was launched at Falkirk High School last December.
Improving libraries for learners has been produced in consultation with colleagues from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, who welcome its positive messages about the important role of school library resource centres and staff in helping children and young people develop the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence.
Improving Libraries for Learners launch. [Back row, l-r]: Di Wild, Clare Thompson, Alison Bache and Helen Adair [Front Row, l-r]: Christine May, Cleo Jones and Marilyn Milligan
The guide is intended for all who teach, support and improve the learning experiences of children and young people in schools.
It seeks to help teaching and library resource centre staff in schools and central support services to meet pupils’ needs and improve learning.
Welcoming the new publication, Christine May, Chair of SLIC Board said:
Effective school library resource centres are central to the learning and teaching taking place in the school. They promote the development of independent learning skills, supporting lifelong learning and encouraging children and young people to grow as responsible citizens and make an effective contribution to society.
Launch at Prestonpans library
East Lothian Council Library Service has installed wireless Internet access in all 12 local libraries with a grant from the Scottish Government’s Public Library Quality Improvement Fund.
Community Services spokesman, Cllr. Paul McLennan welcomed this initiative at the launch of the service at the award winning Prestonpans Library. He said: This initiative builds on the access the public have to free Internet facilities in all of our libraries. Customers, visitors and business people will be able to use our libraries as wi-fi hotspots, providing access right across the county. We were delighted to receive this funding from the Public Library Improvement Fund to improve our service to the public.
The Scottish Government’s Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said: Our local libraries can improve services and access to the public whilst offering great value for money. This funding from government allows East Lothian to do exactly that. I welcome the expansion of free digital services which will increase people’s skills and knowledge and help Scotland to become a smarter nation.
Following a decision by the licensing agencies to pursue libraries for computer performance-related licences, the UK agencies are acting jointly to ensure computer access and usage in all types of libraries remains legal, fair and in line with the aspirations of the People’s Network.
The key issue is that libraries view is that libraries are places of learning and that PC use is an extension of home use.
Legal advice has indicated that the licensing interests should prove the legal basis for their view that one recipient is ‘an audience’. A written counsel’s opinion has been secured and discussions continue. Advice for use by libraries is being developed for use once the legal guidance is finalised.
In spite of widespread protest and action the Digital Economy Bill is now law, albeit subject to further secondary legislation.
It was put through in the pre- election “wash-up” The battle for amendment on orphan works was lost and the implications for ISPs and closure of web access is now possible under legislation.
TalkTalk are currently refusing to act enforce the legislation. There will be further meetings with OFCOM to establish how a code of conduct might be established; it may be possible to consider how libraries could be exempted under the digital participation framework.
Other European legislation will also have to be considered.
SLIC and Young Scot have been working to develop the strategy and it is hoped to progress with the Scottish Government in 2010.
A series of questions has been developed for users to assess the quality of their provision. The process has been delayed by Young Scot to allow for the inclusion of new partners.
The strategic bodies for libraries, museums and archives across the UK have re-branded their forum to ALMAUK. MLA and CYMAL have committed budget for 2010/11. SLIC Board working group will consider this on a meeting on the 11th May 2010.
SLIC is playing an active role in engaging in key work programmes for the group including Workforce Development and Leadership, Economic impact and mapping, volunteering, Cultural Olympiad.
Elaine Fulton is attending the Scottish Cultural Operational Delivery Group which will support the London Olympics Cultural Olympiad and Commonwealth Games legacy in 2014.
A number of meetings will take place over the next 4 years under the auspices of Creative Scotland. SLIC has been asked to assist and has been in discussion with Volunteer Development Scotland examining ways in which public libraries can be involved. SLIC will develop an outline plan of engagement which ensures library participation.
SLIC has continued to work with Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) and the SQA to support workforce and skills development. Progress this year has included:
LLUK represents employers, stakeholders and staff working in libraries, archives and information services throughout the UK.
Their key tasks include providing labour market intelligence, ensuring that National Occupational Standards are in place for their constituency and that appropriate qualifications are developed. LLUK license has been renewed for one year.
Ask Scotland, the virtual enquiry initiative also funded from the Scottish Government’s Public Library Quality improvement Fund, was launched by the then Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution was launched in June 2009.
AskScotland is a collaborative national service developed by SLIC that will pool the staff and resources of Scotland’s public library services.
Users submit questions via email and the question is routed to the appropriate library service, then a personalised response will be researched by a specialist reference librarian.
The service is being extended to include reference enquiries on any subject and not just those which relate to Scotland. Three more authorities will come on stream in 2010.
The authorities involved have expressed the need for a high profile launch for the service and this is being taken forward by Golley Slater who are working with SLIC on advocacy and promotion.
SLIC has reviewed its IT processes with respect to ensuring best value and service continuity. As a result, SLIC will be outsourcing IT provision to a private cloud computing environment.
This new approach will deliver substantial savings, as well as increased stability and additional prospects for service developments. The Slainte website design has been refreshed and new services for members introduced. Web2.0 continues to be maintained and developed, attracting a steady audience base.
The use of online forms is greatly assisting with administration and members can also submit images and feedback via Slainte; both measures empower members.
The media centre has also become embedded within the SLIC communication strategy and our media contacts network continues to be developed. As a result of this work, releases are frequently picked up by both the Scottish and UK media.
The Slainte Web2.0 content continues to be maintained and developed, attracting a steady audience base; the blog has received around 8000 hits and the Flickr site over 25,000 hits.
The Twitter micro blog has around 300 followers and is one of the top 100 tweeters in Scotland. The information team recently took part in a debate using Twitter regarding the use of social technologies by CILIP
The joint SLIC and CILIP in Scotland (CILIPS) publication, A Guide to Using Web2.0 in Libraries was published in November 2009.
It provides advice and ideas relevant to libraries across the sectors and is supported by a range of webpages offering practical support, including case studies from library services already working with Web2.0 and social networking services.
In 2009/10 two projects were successful in securing funding from SLIC’s Innovation and Development Award programme. Aberdeenshire’s Libraries R4Learning consists of an information literacy advocacy programme for libraries throughout Aberdeenshire.
It uses multimedia to promote a partnership approach to supporting the Curriculum for Excellence and the lifelong learning agenda.
Dundee College’s PADDI works in partnership with JISC Regional Support Centre (North and East) and uses the principles of the already successful Access Apps product and tailor it to the needs of library based learners and promote it to a broader audience.
SLIC, CILIP in Scotland and JISC have collaborated to create Managing Digital Resources. Originally conceived as part of an IDF project funded by SLIC, the resource has been re-engineered and further developed to appeal to a cross sector audience.
Both CILIPS and JISC are working jointly to deliver the associated workshops in CPD programmes.
JISC Collections procurement for public libraries e-resources has been completed and 4 titles will be available across all authorities, with lower costs for others which have a minimum of 5 local authorities subscribing.
SLIC has been involved in discussions with Scotland Excel, during the development of a framework contract which local authorities have the option to decide to use. The move could involve up to 80% of school text books and library books for schools. A second tender will affect public library books. It is expected that special and Scottish material is to be sourced locally as required. Therefore, Scotland Excel does not believe that the tendering process will adversely affect Scottish SME’s, and the process adopted is designed to balance user requirements with efficiency. SLIC will work directly with local authorities, procurement and library managers to ensure that this message is clearly understood.
The tender for books also caused some concern particularly around weightings for contract in terms of the relationship between finance and quality. Scotland Excel issued the tender for consideration in June with any contract commencing in August 2010 for 2 years.
A number of task and finish groups have been established to support key work strands including procurement, NLS and public libraries, FE libraries annual survey, Ask Scotland, Scotland Excel UIG, Bookbug and Stock Management Panel.
SLIC is represented on LLUK Scotland, Library Archives and Information Services and Curriculum for Excellence Panels, SCURL, CIPFA Public Library Committee, the Scottish Literature Forum, BBC Libraries Partnership UK Steering Group and Scottish Partnership Group, CIPFA Cultural Statistics in Scotland Working Group, Scottish Government National Cancer Information and Support Steering Group, Scottish Government Culture, External Affairs and Tourism network (CEATnet), Digital Access Scotland, SQA, the British Library Advisory Council, the National Entitlement Card the Culture and Lifelong Learning Project Board, JISC Content Services committee, the Scottish Cultural Operational Delivery Group which will support the London Olympics Cultural Olympiad and Commonwealth Games legacy in 2014, How Good is our culture and sport Quality Improvement Framework and the National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe NAPLE Forum.
Scotland's Information
Research Collections Online
Scottish Library and Information Resources
Scottish Distributed Digital Library
Scottish Collections Network
Co-operative Information Retrieval Network for Scotland
© Send comments, suggestions and queries about SLAINTE to Gillian Hanlon. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 UK: Scotland License 15-Nov-2010
