A DECLARATION FROM THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION COMMUNITY

We, the undersigned, welcome the government’s vision of a learning society: a society where opportunities for self-development are available to all. This is essential to create a competitive economy, encourage an active sense of citizenship and promote a high quality of life both for individuals and communities. We see the government’s consultation document on the National Grid for Learning and the Library and Information Commission’s report on the creation of a "People’s Network" based on public libraries as complementary; indicative of a desire to create a nation that is inclusive as well as economically successful.

We believe that libraries, in all sectors, will have a crucial role to play in preserving and giving access to the nation’s wealth of recorded human knowledge - furthermore that librarians and information specialists will provide the expert skills required to enable citizens to explore these riches for themselves. We support the creation of a National Grid for Learning and the People’s Network and commit ourselves, individually and collectively, to work for their success. To realise this vision, we believe the following principles to be important:

• Parallel Development - We appreciate the government’s determination to incorporate all schools in the National Grid for Learning as soon as possible. However we see lifelong learning as a continuum from the youngest of ages to the oldest. If children are to benefit then it is important that their parents and grandparents share their learning experiences and have access to similar resources in public libraries, further and higher education institutions, voluntary organisations and learning centres at work. It is equally important that schools should have networked access to information available in other types of library and information service. This means parallel rather than sequential development. It is the best way of exploiting the value of networking.
• Partnership - Neither the National Grid for Learning nor the People’s Network can be the province of any single sector. Partnerships that cross public, private and voluntary sectors will be necessary to deliver the vision of a learning society. This will be true in all facets of the network - technical, content and delivery mechanisms as well as funding. New models will need to be developed to meet the demands of tomorrow. The library and information community is committed to building on the cooperative and collaborative arrangements it has already developed and to foster closer working relationships within the broader "knowledge industry".
• Skills - Library and information specialists are already expert in information handling - one of the key components of learning skills. Our skills in organising knowledge will also be critical for the success of the Grid and the People’s Network. The additional skills and expertise needed to operate in an electronic environment are already widespread in the Higher Education sector, a growing number of secondary schools and in many parts of the private sector. The library and information specialists who are expert in this area will play an important role in training others. The ultimate objective will be to empower users to find most of the information they require for themselves: the role of the librarian will be to offer the training and support, whether face to face or online, to facilitate this.
• Diversity - The Grid should reflect all parts of the community throughout the UK. The gap between the information rich and the information poor should be narrowed and, eventually, closed. The needs of people with disabilities, the geographically isolated, and the poor must all be catered for. The Grid should also embrace the nature of our multiracial society.
• The Role of Government - The government must provide the vision; ensure cooperation across its own departments; recognise the contribution from sectors such as voluntary organisations, further education colleges and the health services; provide the necessary funding to ensure the Grid and the People’s Network attain the momentum for growth and that no parts of society are excluded from their opportunities; and facilitate the deals and partnerships necessary to realise the vision.

The Library and Information community in the UK will break down barriers and create the new alliances necessary to realise the vision of a Learning Society and attain the objectives of the National Grid for Learning and the People’s Network. We believe the challenge ahead must be addressed by a global response - a response that embraces all sectors of the library and information world. We are committed to working with government, local government and all other stakeholders to achieve that end.