Libraries at the heart of the Digital Agenda

The Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) has welcomed the announcement made by Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries on the 1^st July 2010 that the SCL will play a fundamental role in shaping the future of public library services. A new support programme announced by the Minister and administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and the Local Government Association Group will help guide 10 local authorities, in the first wave, to look at governance models, partnership working and ways to share services.

Ed Vaizey MP also announced the SCL’s commitment to improve digital inclusion and literacy – a key element of the Society’s vision as outlined in their Manifesto published in March this year. SCL pledges to get half a million people online by 2012, supporting The Race for 2012 campaign and echoing the Minister’s commitment to position libraries at the heart of the digital agenda. Libraries are already giving people access to the internet through hundreds of thousands of hours of computer sessions and are often the first port of call for those not ‘born digital’ who seek digital literacy skills.

Nicky Parker, SCL’s President stated ‘SCL has made a solid commitment to work with Government to maximise opportunities and help safeguard and build on the success of public libraries in challenging times. I believe that libraries offer fundamental services to communities, providing access to information, ideas, new skills and help people to improve their lives for the better.We recognise that libraries must evolve to provide a wider range of accessible services to library customers 24hrs a day 7 days a week. We know we must continue to innovate and will work with local authorities through the support programme to deliver best practice within our sector.We are also delighted to continue to play a key role in the digital agenda, working with Race for 2012 to get half a million people online by 2012. We see public libraries playing a crucial part in creating access to online resources, and developing digital literacy and inclusion, providing key skills and opportunities for all our communities, particularly those who are digitally disenfranchised. I am excited about the forthcoming months, and working with government to make a positive difference through SCL’s existing networks, skills, resources.