Cross-domain co-operative library schemes in Wales Cy MAL

Cross-domain co-operative library schemes in Wales (Cy. MAL Project) Eileen Tilley Feb 2005

Need for cross-domain schemes n n People Flows Project 1997/8 – British Library funded Found that learners do not see themselves as users of one particular library or type of library, and indicated that library users can no longer be pigeon holed into defined library sectors

Findings of People Flows n n Almost one-third of public library users are either full-time students or lifelong learners Over two-thirds of the users of university and college libraries also use other libraries Public libraries are more likely to be used because of their location and the helpfulness of their staff University libraries are more likely to be used for their resources, college libraries for their ICT facilities and the study space they offer

Barriers to cross-use of libraries n n n 55% of respondents reported problems or frustrations in using other libraries Access, usually to University libraries, could be refused Permission to borrow refused Use of ICT resources refused Denial of access to specific types of books or loan-type materials Report recommends the establishments of formal co-operative arrangements

Post People Flows developments n n n UK – increase in number of cross-domain schemes Patchwork of individual schemes with different characteristics Some areas with no schemes INSPIRE Project– managed jointly by SCONUL and the Society of Chief Librarians Aims to co-ordinate existing schemes, raise existing access levels, and create access where none currently exists Similar project in Scotland

Developments in Wales n 4 cross-domain schemes n n n n ATLIS (Swansea area) GALW(North East Wales) LINC y Gogledd (North West Wales) NEWLIS (Newport area) All schemes different Gaps in provision, especially in Mid Wales Need for overall co-ordination

Need for a national scheme n There is a need for a Wales-wide scheme in order to n n n Ensure equity of access throughout Wales Fill geographical gaps in provision Ensure provision for “cross border borrowers”, e. g. Bangor/Wrexham Set minimum standards of provision Facilitate development of schemes

Research and marketing project; project aims n n Evaluate all four current cross-domain schemes in Wales Investigate similar schemes, in the UK and abroad, with the object of applying the lessons learnt to schemes in Wales Use the findings to develop a model that could form the basis for extending regional partnerships across the whole of Wales Devise marketing plan to increase take-up of LINC y Gogledd

Project methodology n n n Questionnaire to existing Welsh schemes Shorter questionnaire to areas without a scheme Questionnaires to LINC staff and users Focus groups with LINC staff and users Study visit to English schemes Study visit to Denmark

Questionnaire findings (1) n n n Aims of schemes and benefits identified similar (increased access, customer satisfaction, creating a forum for collaborative funding bids) Only LINC provides interlending Only LINC has a formal constitution – more formal governance would be needed for a national scheme

Questionnaire findings (2) n n All schemes provide staff training All schemes facilitate access to online catalogues , though not all cross-searchable No schemes have received any notable pumppriming funding Not many statistics kept, though NEWLIS monitors access to its website, and LINC records registered users and books borrowed

Questionnaire findings (3) n n All respondents amenable to the idea of linking to a larger scheme Some caveats – value to partnerships being local to provide a focus for joint initiatives, need to retain local identity

Questionnaire findings (4) n n All respondents receptive to the idea of a Wales-wide scheme, but some caveats Minimum standards would have to be met by participating libraries Wales-wide purchasing, in particular eprocurement, mentioned as a possibility Problems envisaged in instituting an interlending scheme due to geography of Wales

Non-participating libraries n n n Benefits recognised Difficulties for public libraries – access to catalogues, cost and mechanics of interlending, variations in loan arrangements HE libraries – lack of funding, conflict with their organisation objectives, additional administration, need to retain core texts needed by students. Fear “one way loan traffic”

Evaluation of LINC scheme n n n n Interlending has not caused major problems Usage has grown slowly Low level of awareness of scheme in some areas Need for more effective marketing Users want access to electronic resources Some barriers to accessing the University Library Need for cultural awareness as well as procedural training for University staff Need for ongoing funding

Comparison with England n n n English schemes all emphasise access rather then interlending – may reflect urban nature of England (Scotland different) Same lack of statistics – even more so as no interlending More funding, e. g. to broker access arrangements, develop websites and catalogues

Problems mentioned by English schemes n n n Attitudes of some HE libraries – difficulties of brokering agreements Lack of funding for ongoing maintenance, monitoring and development of schemes Lack of access to e-resources

Comparison with Denmark (1) n n n Co-operation between sectors is a recognised and fully-integrated feature of Danish library service Co-ordinated at national level by the Danish National Library Authority Underpinned by legislation – Act regarding library services 2000 bestows the right to access library material (including electronic media) free of charge from the library of one’s choice

Comparison with Denmark (2) n n n Interlending an integral part of system National Union Catalogue, Bibliotek. dk, available on the Internet Also acts as a portal e. g. to Bib. Hit, “Ask a librarian”, Bizi. Gate, FINFO, Dot. Bot Most heavily used website in Denmark 80% of items delivered within a week using van-based national transport system

Could the Danish system work in Wales? n n n Couldn’t be adopted wholesale because: Lack of underpinning legislation No body akin to Danish Library Authority No Danish Library Centre to take forward technical developments Cohesiveness of Danish society

What we can learn from Denmark n n n Cy. MAL might take on some of the functions of the DNLA Some features of the union catalogue and interlending system National transport system Some of the portal features Inclusion of all media – some day! “Option to buy” and “Recommendations” features

Project outcomes (1) n The project has n n n Provided an overview of the operation of cross-domain schemes in practice Enabled the researchers to understand the factors affecting the success of such schemes Given insight into the attitudes of librarians and users to these schemes

Project outcomes (2) n n By comparing schemes in different regions and countries, given us an understanding of how the socio-economic context affects the way in which schemes develop Allowed the researchers to take all these factors into consideration in establishing a methodology for rolling out a Wales-wide scheme

Development of individual schemes n Research revealed need for n n n n n Scheme co-ordinators Set-up funding Ongoing funding to develop, maintain and monitor Cross-searchable catalogues Further development of websites User-friendly ways to register users Statistical monitoring Staff training including cultural awareness More marketing More money!

Recommendations for a Wales -wide scheme (1) n n Establish steering group and project manager, to: Establish a framework for the scheme key issues –national or local control? A federation of autonomous schemes might be most acceptable, operating within a framework like the INSPIRE kitemark

INSPIRE kitemark (1) n n You will allow visitors reference access to hard copy materials Your service plan will reflect commitment to co-operative working with INSPIRE partners INSPIRE is publicised throughout your library service and to the wider community where practicable Library collection strengths are listed and promoted via the INSPIRE website

INSPIRE kitemark (2) n n All staff have an awareness of the access the INSPIRE scheme allows Designated staff receive in-depth briefing and have responsibility for cascading information to other staff INSPIRE is included in induction and on-going training programmes about access schemes Qualitative and quantitative management information is collected to monitor the impact of INSPIRE

Wales-wide scheme (2) n Establish a relationship with similar initiatives elsewhere It is important for there to be representation from Wales on the INSPIRE steering group as currently there is none, though there is representation from Scotland

Wales-wide scheme (3) n n Identify gaps in cross-domain provision and encourage the establishment of schemes in these areas Facilitate the development of existing schemes Need for set-up and ongoing funding

Wales-wide scheme (4) n Establish the infrastructure for a national access scheme Validation for schemes National licensing for electronic resources? National web portal (separate project? )

Wales-wide scheme (5) n Address implementation issues Staffing, staff training and development, publicity and marketing

Wales-wide scheme (6) n Establish the feasibility of/develop infrastructure for a national interlending scheme geographical/political considerations smart cards? transport system? national union catalogue? national agreement

Wales-wide scheme (7) n Establish a structure for the long-term management and monitoring of the national scheme

Marketing plan for LINC n Objectives n n n To ensure that as many members of the general public as possible become aware of the scheme To increase user satisfaction with the scheme To raise usage levels To ensure users have accurate information on what to expect To make the University Library more attractive and accessible to users To ensure that the scheme responds on an ongoing basis to user needs

Action plan (1) n n Target community groups as well as existing library users Place publicity material outside as well as inside libraries Use press and media on an ongoing basis Develop the LINC website

Action plan (2) n n n Make sure promotional literature contains accurate info on what to expect Make sure UWB catalogue “flags” reserved material Offer user groups tours of University library

Action plan (3) n n Improve University library signage and guiding Ensure front line are trained to deal with LINC users Run regular user surveys Improve statistical monitoring of scheme