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”