Media Releases

Libraries are putting lifelong learning at the top of their agenda in a new partnership with Ufi Ltd, the government’s flagship for lifelong learning and the organisation that is bringing about the concept of a ‘university for industry’ through the creation of the learndirect e-learning network. The Ufi Libraries Cluster will be administered by a Management Group that includes representatives from all library sectors, Resource (The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries) and Ufi. It aims to strengthen the links between the library profession and Ufi.

“Libraries in all sectors have become learndirect centres so it is vital that a two-way channel of communication is established.” said Kathy Ennis, Professional Adviser Academic and Research Libraries at The Library Association. “The first activity for the Cluster Management Group will be a mapping exercise of library-based learndirect provision, this will enable us to identify examples of good practice and identify trends that will inform our future agenda.”

The aims of the Cluster are:

• To liase between Ufi and libraries at a national level
• To advise Ufi on the contribution of libraries to its objectives
• To disseminate information about Ufi developments to the library profession
• To publicise the role of libraries in lifelong learning

The Ufi Libraries Cluster Management Group will meet three times a year.

February 2001

For further information contact:

Kathy Ennis, Professional Adviser Academic and Research Libraries, The Library Association
Tel 020 7255 0633 Fax: 020 7255 0501
E-mail: kathy.ennis@la-hq.org.uk

Louisa Myatt, Acting Marketing Manager, The Library Association
Tel: 020 7255 0650    Fax: 020 7255 0501
E-mail: louisa.myatt@la-hq.org.uk

Notes

• Members of the Ufi Libraries Cluster Management Group are: Kathy Ennis, The Library Association, Barbara Buckley, Resource, Frances Hendrix, EARL / The People’s Network, Alan Watkin, Wrexham County Borough Council Education and Leisure Services, David Scott, Dundee College, Madeleine Coyle, North West Institute of Further and Higher Education, Nicky Whitsed, The Open University, Melissa Howell, Ufi.
• The Library Association is the Chartered professional body that represents more than 25,000 librarians and information workers in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Members of The Library Association work in a range of settings, including: schools, colleges and higher education institutions; public libraries; industry, media, commerce and government; the health, legal and voluntary sectors. The Library Association Web site is www.la-hq.org.uk.
• Ufi is the government’s flagship for lifelong learning. Set up to develop and deliver the concept of a ‘university for industry’, it is revolutionising how and where individuals and businesses learn and acquire new skills. At the core of the Ufi’s work is learndirect, the new national on-line learning network. learndirect is making e-learning widely accessible across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and allows people to learn on-line at local learndirect centres, at work, at home or anywhere they have access to the Internet. Through learndirect Ufi also operates a free telephone information and advice service about careers and learning opportunities nation-wide (0800 100 900). Ufi aims to drive up demand for learning; engage new and excluded learners; help businesses become more competitive and effective; help adults improve their employment prospects; and use ICT to make learning more accessible than ever before. It plans by 2002/03 to be stimulating and handling 2.5 million enquiries a year about careers and learning opportunities and to see a million people a year learning with learndirect. The learndirect Web site, including free on-line taster courses and information about over half a million courses is at www.learndirect.co.uk. The Ufi website is at www.ufiltd.co.uk.