Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 2

21 September 2005

Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee Item 10

15 September 2005

Current Developments in Information and Lifelong Learning Services

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact, Richard Ward Ext: 6621 e-mail: [email protected]

This report is intended to assist meeting the following aims of the Corporate Strategy;

Aim 1 - Maximising Life Opportunities

Aim 4 - Building Strong and Safe Communities

Aim 5 - Improving Services

The report describes a range of current activities aimed at improving the library service and providing greater opportunity for lifelong learning in Hampshire's libraries.

1. Reference and information stock policies

1.1 The present stock policy for reference and information materials dates from 2003 and was updated to include guidance on providing electronic resources. However, with the increasing emphasis on consultation and social inclusion various aspects of stock provision need to be reviewed and a move made away from a prescriptive stock policy to one which allows for flexibility of provision.

1.2 Accordingly it is intended that surveys be undertaken on the following aspects of the service

-Periodical and newspaper provision

-Enquiries

1.3 It is also intended that Hampshire Library and Information Service carry out a consultation to determine users views on information provision, particularly at the balance between print and electronic resources.

1.4 The organisation and display of information stock in Hampshire's Libraries and Discovery Centres is also being reviewed. The traditional organisation of information stock by Dewey number can be confusing to new or occasional users with books on similar topics being shelved in different areas. Accordingly in many of Hampshire's libraries staff have sought to organise stock so as to bring related subjects together in zones. In addition, where appropriate, information and lending stock has been integrated. Such integration has been a feature of many recent library developments such as those in Poole, Bournemouth and Brighton, as well as in more established libraries such as Slough and Portsmouth Central Libraries. Within Hampshire Gosport Discovery Centre has an integrated stock arrangement and this is planned for Winchester Cultural Centre. This arrangement of stock has the advantage of enabling users to see all the stock on any particular subject currently on the shelves.

2. Electronic Resources

2.1 Information has long been available electronically. However, the World Wide Web enables the user to have access to what is in effect the electronic duplicate of the printed work, including illustrations, in a way not previously possible. Electronic resources have the great advantage of providing access to a number of users simultaneously and at times and places convenient to them. Where access to electronic resources is provided outside the library all that is needed is a borrower card. Such resources are of course also available via the Peoples Network terminals in libraries.

2.2 In view of the savings in printing costs publishers have been keen to take advantage of electronic publishing to either provide material via print on demand services or only provide material via the Internet. Such material is invariably charged for but in certain cases their sites may provide limited access to some basic information. An example of this is Kompass which provides free access to basic information on its excellent Internet site, while charging for access to more detailed information. Librarians have for some time provided links to those Internet sites judged to contain good quality information and Hampshire Library and Information Service maintains a pages of such links via the web site at www.hants.gov.uk/library/information/index.html

2.3 Hampshire Library and Information Service also provides access to a wide range of databases via the Internet for use in libraries or in the home, school or workplace. These databases include individual works such as the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Grove Music Online and Encyclopaedia Britannica Online as well as databases such as "xreferplus" which offers access to a range of reference works such as dictionaries, thesauri and books of quotations. Hampshire Library and Information Service also provide access to a range of electronic books via the Netlibrary and Ebrary services.

2.4 May 2005 saw the launch of the Enquire-Virtual Reference Service. Hampshire Library and Information Service took part in the service on launch day and has since that date taken part in five sessions with steady but increasing use. Enquire is a live daily email service promoted by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (M.L.A) and staffed by reference librarians from the participating authorities on a rota basis. Enquire allows any member of the public to log on to the Internet, send a question and get an immediate response. It allows librarians to "push" a web page at the enquirer, effectively guiding the enquirer to high quality sources of information on the Internet. The service is available round the clock with librarians from the United Kingdom and United States providing a 24 hour service.

3. Lifelong Learning

3.1 Lifelong Learning is now a major part of the work of library staff. The contribution libraries can make to learning is recognised by the Government in the "Framework for the Future" report published in 2003 and in further reports on E-Learning, Digital Strategy and Skills.

3.2 Hampshire Library and Information Service continues to provide a range of taster sessions for those wishing to use the Internet. Sessions have included setting up email accounts, shopping and various issues associated with e-Government, e.g. renewing passports as well as national events, such as SeaBritain 2005.

3.3 In October 2004 the Learndirect Centre at Waterlooville Library opened, followed in March 2005 by Gosport Discovery Centre. By the end of the contract period on 31^st July 357 learners had enrolled on 497 courses. The contract for 2005/06 is now in the process of being negotiated. It is intended that all Discovery Centres will host Learndirect Centres with the next planned for the proposed Winchester Cultural Centre.

3.4 The re-launch of the UK Online Centre Network has also seen a number of useful initiatives of which libraries are keen to take advantage. The online "First Time Online" product is the first of many which will both provide ready made course material and allow people to determine their future needs in terms of ICT skills, either through a library "taster sessions or perhaps via progression to a more formal course such as Learndirect.

3.5 A further strand of lifelong learning is for libraries, museums and archives to provide access to their own valuable and unique collections. In December 2003 Hampshire Library and Information Service launched "Hantsphere" an online local studies resource. Through this web site one can explore Hampshire's heritage either by searching the database or by following themes on the web site, e.g. The Portsdown to Havant Light Railway. Librarians and volunteers are continuing to develop the site together with colleagues in Museums and Hampshire Record Office.

3.6 In addition to the direct provision of support to learners, libraries are seen as a major channel through which learners may gain access to materials. Accordingly, and in line with the vision for 2013 of members of the public being able to seamlessly access materials from further and higher education establishments Hampshire Library and Information Service is taking the lead in the national initiative for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight sub-region. HATRICS, the information co-operative, is contacting prospective partners to gauge the level of support for this work (known as Inspire) and Co-South is working toward seamless searching of library catalogues on-line.

4. Information Displays

4.1 A further way in which libraries contribute to the provision of information within their communities is through the display of posters and hosting of exhibitions relating to their area.

4.2 Earlier in the year the policy for such displays and exhibitions was reconsidered. As a result the display policy was amended in such a way as to provide clear guidance for local staff and allow flexibility in the hosting of displays and exhibitions. In this way it is hope to make libraries even more of the centre of their local community's information needs.

4.3 The policy is shown in Appendix One attached to this report.

5. Impact Assessment

5.1 The implications of the developments outlined in this report are that it will provide a more inclusive library service that will benefit the whole community.

Recommendations

1. The developments in Information and Lifelong Learning described are supported.

2. The policy for the display of information through exhibitions, leaflets and posters in Hampshire's Libraries in Appendix One is confirmed.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

Supporting Documents

Appendix One

Information provided through Exhibitions, Leaflets and Posters in Hampshire's Libraries.

The Library and Information Service will accept exhibitions, leaflets and displays from all sections of the community giving priority to local information and statutory information that must be provided, including any information provided under the Freedom of Information Act, Guidance for Publication.

Space is limited in many of our libraries so people booking exhibition space should do so well before the event. Notice board space is also limited and popular so there is no guarantee that any information can be displayed.

A leaflet distribution system run by Recreation & Heritage Marketing is available for Library staff to order any number of leaflets produced by the R&H department, via a monthly order form. Leaflets are dispatched free of charge.

The selection of leaflets available via the Recreation & Heritage leaflet distribution scheme should contain all the promotional literature and `places to visit' run by the department. Library staff can order information of local relevance only, or a wider selection, but all libraries should carry Showcase - the department's What's On guide. A desk dispenser for Showcase is available if required.

Recreation & Heritage Marketing can provide HCC branded display furniture free of charge to facilitate participation in the leaflet distribution scheme. Contact Jane Thomas.

¬ Each Library Manager will determine what is considered "local".

¬ Poster and exhibition space is provided on a strict "first come, first served" basis.

¬ All information displayed must be accurate and legal.

¬ Information about campaigns or initiatives produced by political parties and other pressure groups will not be displayed publicly but may be held for consultation in the library. However information regarding public meetings to be held as part of such campaigns will be displayed provided it meets these guidelines.

¬ Information material will not be accepted if, in the opinion of the Library Manager, the appearance or wording is such as to cause offence or upset to our customers.

¬ While some material displayed might not reflect the views of Hampshire County Council information cannot be displayed if it causes the Library and Information Service to break one of Hampshire County Council's policies.

¬ No information should use defamatory, personal or offensive language.

¬ Campaign material supporting personal vendettas will not be accepted.

¬ All display material must be of a reasonable standard.

¬ All display material must be given to staff before being displayed.

¬ Exhibition space must be booked in advance where available.

¬ Commercial exhibitions and displays may be accepted. A charge may be levied for such exhibitions and a commission charged on sales where appropriate.

¬ Information other than local or statutory will be displayed if there sufficient space.

¬ Event based information may be displayed up to a month before the event if space permits.

The Library Manager has the right to refuse any information or to remove anything put on display which does not meet the above guidelines.

In cases where material offered for display does not obviously fail to meet these guidelines the material should be sent firstly to your Library Manager and may then be referred to the Information and Lifelong Learning Manager at Library Headquarters for a decision.