Citation
(2004), "The People's Network: a national online library for the UK", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 38 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2004.28038aab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
The People's Network: a national online library for the UK
The People's Network: a national online library for the UK
The People's Network, which links every public library in the UK to the Internet, has been awarded £500,000 lottery funding for a new phase of its development: as a national online library and a major provider of access to e-learning and e-government services.
Already, thanks to the People's Network, 30,000 computers with Internet access have been installed in over 4,000 public libraries throughout the UK, and every member of public library staff is being trained in ICT skills to give the public help and advice. This £120 million lottery-funded project is already the largest ICT investment of its kind, and the biggest boost ever in the 150 years of public library service. The project, which is managed by Resource, has been delivered on time and within budget.
The new £500,000 funding from the New Opportunities Fund will be used to exploit the People's Network and the new ICT skills of library staff to the maximum, building on their proven strengths to provide new online services such as a national electronic enquiry service and virtual reference shelf, and access to e-government services, e-learning resources, and community information.
For further information please contact: Resource, 16 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AA, UK. Tel: +44(0) 20 7273 1444; Fax: +44(0) 20 7273 1404; E-mail: info@resource.gov.uk; URL: www.resource.gov.uk