linc y gogledd tony heaton university of wales bangor
TRANSCRIPT
LINC Y GOGLEDD
Tony HeatonTony Heaton
University of Wales University of Wales BangorBangor
LINC y Gogledd
Cross – sectoral library partnership
Four full members:University with three public library services.
Three associate members: FE colleges
Unlocks the wealth of resources available for learners in North-West Wales
What makes LINC different?
LINC broke down barriers to borrowing
A free reciprocal borrowing scheme
Users to books, or books to users
From little acorns…..
University off-campus students
Public libraries learning support role
Heads of Service agreed common interest
Concordat for partnership agreed and approved by Committees and Councils
Steering Group
Examined existing policies, procedures, systems and infrastructures
To identify best means of inter library requesting, lending, delivery, recall, return (and non-return)
ICT systems and physical infrastructures
A name!
LINC y gogledd
Pilot scheme in October 2002
Formal existence in North-West Wales since March 2003
Splendid isolation
“Access to library resources is absolutely essential to any learner. This need is even greater for those attempting to study in isolated communities with none of the usual support structures available to campus-based students”
20% of the total land area of Wales with 10% of the population. Population density 7.9 people per km sq.
Mountains!
The case of the Off-campus student
Mrs. Jones
Part-time student
Working mum 2 children and elderly
relative.
Lives far from Bangor
What Mrs. Jones did next
Go to her local public library
Asks for the book.
Public Library emails University Library
Same procedure for all users
Personal Borrowing via LINC
Traditional for universities to charge for external borrowing privileges
No charge for personal borrowing
…If registered with scheme partner
Personal application form
Boring Statistics of 2004
Personal registration with UWB through LINC 632 people; 3177 items borrowed
UWB items supplied to public libraries 573 items to 29 branch libraries
Public Library items supplied to UWB 37 items from 13 branches
Issues
Core reading texts Perception of service dilution to core usersStaff resource issues as net lenderManaging expectations
Learning curve for Ynys Mon re emailStaff awarenessCorrectly following procedures
Benefits
UniversityOff-campus students benefit Powerful marketing and recruitment tool
Public library Increases range of titles available Reduced Interlibrary loans expenditure
Value added benefits
Media coverage; Political kudos
Basis of further joint projects; Funding
Getting to know each other is enriching
No hesitation now in contacting public libraries with queries and vice versa
The future
Other partners: Health & Special libraries?
Expansion east along A55 or South along A470?
Joint projects; Sharing other media
Remarketing and branding
Conclusion
LINC y Gogledd isProven successful scheme to support
community-based lifelong learning
Already embedded into mainstream library provision in the four services
Helps break down barriers to learning to make Wales the Learning Country
Credit where it’s due…
“Collaboration in resource sharing by the four partner library services, through removing barriers to borrowing, is unquestionably an essential key in helping achieve these Government priorities in North-West Wales”