We would like to take up your invitation to comment on the issues and concepts raised in A first class service: quality in the new NHS. Although not mentioned directly in A first class service ..., much of the success of the policy initiatives outlined therein depend upon library skills and expertise. National work already in progress in response to HSG (97)47, Library & Information Services Strategies should provide the sound information foundation required for A first class service ...

The Library Association is the professional body for library and information personnel. It has 26,000 members working in all sectors of the economy. Under the terms of our Royal Charter, awarded in 1898, The Library Association has, amongst other duties, responsibilities to:

• Promote and encourage the maintenance of adequate and appropriate provision of library and information services of various kinds throughout the UK
• Promote the better management of library and information services
• Promote the knowledge, skills, position and qualifications of librarians and information personnel
• Maintain a register of Chartered members, qualified to practise as professional librarians and information personnel
• Represent and act as the professional body for persons working in or interested in library and information services

It achieves the above by awarding professional qualifications, promoting continuing professional development, supporting a network of geographical branches and subject specialist groups, and advocating the cause of libraries and librarians to government and other bodies.

The Health Libraries Group is the Association's special interest group for health information professionals, representing over 800 librarians inside, and outside, the NHS.

Library services underpin much of clinical governance. Effective access to the evidence-base is impossible without a library service. Furthermore, effective access for all clinical professions requires a multi-professional library: a medical library can only serve doctors effectively.

Where national standards do not exist, creation of local guidelines and standards that are truly evidence-based is impossible without an HA or Trust library service. Internet-accessible databases and NHSNet resources can show some of what is available, but high-quality information searching and appraisal skills, coupled with the document delivery services of a library, are required to support effective guideline-creation.

Once guidelines are agreed and published, their dissemination depends, not upon the publication and distribution of material by organisations at national level, but on the capture and organisation of this material at a local level and upon the timely introduction of this material into Trust and HA corporate processes. Dissemination at this level is already being done in many Trusts and HAs by their librarians. They act as corporate memories and have the skills to trace, appraise, filter and summarise the evidence, to disseminate it around their organisations and alert key staff to new material. Much of NICE's proposed role can be made more effective through active partnership with NHS libraries.

CPD and lifelong learning require Trusts and HAs to provide development plans. We hope that these will encompass not only people's training needs but their learning needs as well. To be most effective, CPD should be attuned to staff's different learning styles and permit non-classroom and self-directed learning to be recognised and accredited. Trusts and HAs should encourage their staff to be lifelong learners by developing and supporting facilities for independent study and investigation. Again, only a multi-professional library can do this for all staff: a medical library can only support doctors.

Although information skills and access to the clinical knowledge base are essential elements in the success of A first class service .., we note that the development of these skills and services does not form part of the document. We are concerned that, without this being made explicit, Trusts and HAs will attempt to introduce the new policies without the necessary infrastructure and that this will seriously handicap the thoroughness and success of the proposals at local level.

With these concerns in mind, we look forward to assisting the Department in achieving the best implementation of the objectives set out in A first class service .... We stand ready to discuss ways and means in which we can contribute.