Response of The Library Association

The Library Association is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on proposals for funding three new initiatives within the New Opportunities Fund. The brevity of our comments does not reflect the importance we attach to the proposals, but is more an indication of our general support for the proposals.

General Points

One concern we have had with the Lottery approach is that the challenge basis of most Lottery schemes can be seen as rewarding those who have the resources and expertise to formulate attractive bids rather than addressing properly the question of needs. We therefore welcome the new requirement on Lottery Distributors to develop Strategic Plans, and the more interventionist powers they have been given, allowing them to encourage people to put in bids. Access and equity of provision across the country are important aspects of at least two of the new initiatives (cancer prevention and community access to lifelong learning). The importance attached to reaching the disadvantaged and those with disabilities is also welcome. However the effectiveness of the new schemes in fulfilling these aims must be closely monitored and, if required, specific areas or groups should be targeted.

Cancer Prevention, Detection, Treatment and Care

As the consultation document recognises information provision will be an important part of this initiative. Library and information services within the NHS and the voluntary sector already do much to provide and disseminate such information. Public libraries are also an important source of information on health matters for many - public libraries in the Dorset area, for instance, have online healthpoints provided through a partnership of local authorities and NHS Trusts.

There is room for imaginative partnerships between these sectors to create local or regional information and advice services on cancer (and perhaps eventually a national network) that can exploit the potential of developing networks such as NHS Net and the Public Library Network, and extend it to important voluntary sector organisations and the new Healthy Living Centres. The requirement in paragraph 3.6 that funding will be conditional on health authorities or boards agreeing to replace equipment is perhaps too restrictive. It is probably based on the idea that expensive medical equipment may be required. In reality capital investment for information services is likely to be on ICT, and the funding of replacements could be shared in a variety of ways between the partners. However it would be important for applicants to address the issue of sustainability in bids.

Community Access to Lifelong Learning

The Library Association particularly welcomes this proposal. Libraries in all sectors fulfil many of the roles of learning centres. However public libraries, in particular, have strong claims to be seen as potential centres for community learning. Their importance is attested by many facts:

• 60% of the population use public libraries, including many from socially disadvantaged groups
• All public libraries support informal learning, which although by its nature is unrecorded, nevertheless is an important part of lifelong learning. In many cases the interests and confidence developed by individuals through informal learning lead to them enrolling on more formal courses.
• A recent survey has shown that there are 210 Open Learning Centres based in UK public libraries. These are often provided in partnership with the local TEC and FE college. Despite the overall funding problems of many public library authorities, the fact that such provision is increasing indicates a commitment by public library authorities to their role in supporting learning and learners.
• The UfI pilot project in Sunderland has shown that public libraries are a popular place to study and an important entry point into the more formal world of education and qualifications.
• A recent MORI poll, conducted for the National Campaign for Learning, on public attitudes to learning in the UK found that 49% of the population favoured libraries or museums as places to learn compared to 29% for universities or colleges and 11% for schools.

The potential funding from this Lottery scheme will enable public libraries to build on the provision they already make and enhance the reputation they enjoy for providing accessible learning opportunities. It will provide a real stimulus to achieving the objects of the Public Library Network and the vision of a learning society presented in many Government documents.

There are two other features of the proposed scheme which The Association welcomes. The first is its accent on the creation of Community Grids for Learning. Many of the current Government ICT initiatives relate to specific sectors, notably public libraries or schools. This initiative is welcome because it will encourage cross-sectoral provision - it is therefore likely to exploit effectively the true value of networking, the bringing together of expertise and resources from a number of different sources to provide the best service possible. It will also improve access by providing learning services at a number of local locations (including the home), so addressing the needs and convenience of the user rather than the provider. It will provide welcome opportunities for public libraries to forge or strengthen partnership arrangements with schools, museums, voluntary groups and other organisations and bolster their position at the heart of communities. And similarly it will provide opportunities for library and information services outside the public sector, most notably in the voluntary sector, to become part of the information age, take a full part in the virtual network and improve services to their client groups.

The second feature is the emphasis on addressing the needs of minority and disadvantaged groups. We have long been concerned that their specific needs have not been given sufficient weight in other ICT programmes and this scheme may offer a welcome corrective. We believe there may be a case to ringfence some funding for schemes that address the needs of these groups and to encourage bids in this area. We note the comment in paragraph 5.8 that such communities may be "non-geographical" and would suggest that this means bids may not come from local organisations or library services, but from consortia of library authorities, regional agencies, national organisations or one or other of these in partnership with local organisations. In addition applications of a more general nature should be asked to demonstrate an appreciation of the needs of such groups - there are a number of fairly inexpensive hardware and software enhancements, for instance, that can dramatically improve access to online services for a large number of people, and these should become standard.

There are now an increasing number of initiatives and possible funding sources dealing with lifelong learning. We believe that this scheme has an important role to play. Nevertheless it clearly has to be informed by UfI developments, local lifelong learning development plans, and developments in the Public Library Network and the National Grid for Learning. There also needs to be evidence of coordination and planning at the local level and a discouragement of individual bids from sectors that take no account of other local provision. We are optimistic that it will provide a real opportunity for public libraries and other library and information services to enhance the support they provide to learners, and in partnership with other local agencies, to put flesh on the vision of a national grid for learning at a local level.

Summer Schools

As mentioned in our response to the Government's White Paper on the People's Lottery, libraries are already taking an active part in supporting extra-curricular activities. These include an increasing number of libraries providing homework clubs and a very wide range of summer reading schemes. It is, of course, not possible to gauge the impact of Lottery funding on such provision as it has yet to start. However the additional funding for Summer Schools is welcome, especially the emphasis being put on ethnic minority children and children with special needs. However a survey The Library Association conducted on Library Support for Summer Literacy Schools in 1997 (a similar one for 1998 is being analysed) indicated that few school library services or public library services had been closely involved in supporting Summer Literacy Schools. One factor was the short notice given for the creation of such schools. However in the few authorities where cooperation between schools, school library services and public library services took place, very positive results were reported. The Library Association recommends that the potential involvement of school library services and public libraries as potential partners in the provision of Summer Schools is recognised in the official documentation of the scheme.

In general terms The Library Association warmly welcomes the proposals in New Links for The Lottery. We hope that our comments will be helpful in developing the proposed schemes further.

Guy Daines
Head of Professional Practice
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE

The Library Association, November 1998

Note

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 the responsibility 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.