| What
we collect |
| 1. |
A key
role of the British Library is to make sure that everything published in the
UK is collected, preserved and made accessible in the national published archive.
The Library will do all it can to extend coverage of the national published
archive to include local publications and digital publications and to fill important
gaps in the collections. We will work in partnership with libraries and other
bodies to do this. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library ensures improved coverage of the national published
archive? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 2 |
The British
Library acquires and stores large quantities of material in digital formats
such as CD-ROMs and DVDs and is actively increasing the intake of digital materials.
In some areas of collecting, for example in the sciences, the only format available
in the future will be digital; in other areas material will continue to be published
only in print. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library increases the collection of digital material? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 3 |
In addition
to the national published archive, the British Library has in the past collected
other material on a very extensive basis. However, with limited funding, it
cannot continue to do this. The Library needs to concentrate on collecting material
most likely to be used now or in the future, and to develop partnerships with
other institutions to create an effective network of collections for study and
research. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library develops partnerships with other libraries to
collect and provide access to materials? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| Making
our collections available |
| 4 |
The British
Library wants to provide people with better access to the collections by improving
catalogues, making the website easier to use, providing more services online
and making digitised versions of selected collection items such as historic
manuscripts widely available. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library makes the collections more accessible? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 5 |
The British
Library has been influential in European digital library developments and has
a large number of agreements with libraries all over the world. By using the
Internet, the British Library will provide UK users with access to the resources
of institutions in other countries, as well as developing its global presence
among libraries and providing access for overseas users. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library develops as part of the global network of libraries? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 6 |
The British
Library will develop services for a wider audience. For example, visitors to
the Library at St Pancras will be able to enjoy exhibitions relevant to a wide
range of people and the website will make use of our unique collections to develop
themed subject areas for people of different ages and backgrounds. We will improve
services in support of learning in schools, higher education and adult education,
while continuing our commitment to scholarly research. |
| Q |
How important
is it that the British Library develops opportunities for enjoyment and learning? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 7 |
With limited
funding, the British Library needs to prioritise activities. We will establish
a balance between resources for our strategies for Collections and for Access.
The emphasis will be on Access so that the Library can create most benefit from
the collections. |
| Q |
How important
is it that Access becomes the key priority of the Library's new strategy? |
|
5
4 3 2 1 |
| 8 |
Do you
have any other comments you wish to make? |
| 8.1 |
The questions
in this section highlight the real challenge for the British Library, that of
enabling access to as wide an audience as possible, while maintaining its role
of collection development and preservation.
Collection development and preservation should
be the key priority if our heritage is to survive and be enhanced. However,
rights to access should be made as clear and simple as possible so as to encourage
general use.
|
| 8.2 |
The British
Library should be developing opportunities for enjoyment and learning, but there
is a need to define much more specifically the Access policy target groups. |
| 8.3 |
It is essential
for the British Library to form strategic partnerships with other libraries,
including the global network of libraries, to collect and provide access to
materials. But there must be firm financial and strategic arrangements in place
to support a distributed structure. |
| 8.4 |
Concerns
were expressed over a possible implication of digital access. Some potential
users could have 'free' access to certain electronic resources, by virtue of
their home institution and using a password, while others would be charged for
the same service. |
| 8.5 |
The British
Library is an important focus for the library and information profession in
the UK, while internationally it has an unmatched reputation as an exemplar
institution. The strategic plan does not reflect the British Library's leadership
role in the delivery of 'joined-up' library provision in the UK. The Library
should be placing itself at the centre of a multi-sectoral national library
network. It has a role to play as an educator of the profession, as a showcase
for the profession and in enhancing the image of libraries in general. |
