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Cross-domain co-operative library schemes in Wales (CyMAL Project)
Eileen Tilley Feb 2005
Need for cross-domain schemes 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 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 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 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 4 cross-domain schemes
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 There is a need for a Wales-wide
scheme in order to 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 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 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) 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) All schemes provide staff training All schemes facilitate access to online
catalogues , though not all cross-searchable No schemes have received any notable
pump-priming funding Not many statistics kept, though NEWLIS
monitors access to its website, and LINC records registered users and books borrowed
Questionnaire findings (3) 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) 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 e-
procurement, mentioned as a possibility Problems envisaged in instituting an
inter-lending scheme due to geography of Wales
Non-participating libraries 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 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 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 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) 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) Interlending an integral part of system National Union Catalogue, Bibliotek.dk,
available on the Internet Also acts as a portal e.g. to BibHit, “Ask a
librarian”, BiziGate, FINFO, DotBot 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? 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 CyMAL 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) The project has
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) 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 Research revealed need for
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) Establish steering group and project
manager, to:
Establish a framework for the schemekey 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) 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) 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) Establish a relationship with similar
initiatives elsewhereIt 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) 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) Establish the infrastructure for a national
access scheme
Validation for schemesNational licensing for electronic
resources?National web portal (separate
project?)
Wales-wide scheme (5) Address implementation issues
Staffing, staff training and development, publicity and marketing
Wales-wide scheme (6) 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) Establish a structure for the long-
term management and monitoring of the national scheme
Marketing plan for LINC Objectives
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) 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) 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) 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