Hertfordshire Libraries, Heritage and the Arts - Hertfordshire County ...

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Section 3 - Information and Lifelong LearningIntroducing ChargesThe People’s Network was originallyfinanced by the National Lottery. It was acondition of funding that access should befree of charge. When this funding ceasedin 2003, it was left to local authorities toupdate, upgrade and expand the network.Charges for extended computer use will beintroduced in July 2007 to help cover theincreasing costs of this popular service. Itwill be important to introduce and promotethese charges in a way that does not deterusers, and to maintain as much selfserviceaccess as possible.WiFiA pilot project launches in 2007 to offerpublic WiFi access in six libraries. Peoplewill be able to log on to library resourcesusing their own laptops.Internet on MobilesA pilot project will be launched during theyear to provide Internet access on mobilelibraries using GPRS technology.E-GovernmentIn line with the Government strategy‘Implementing Electronic Government’,many library services are now availableonline. These include access to thecatalogue, renewals, reservations,enquiries, membership applications,computer bookings and the payment offees and charges.E-Government facts and figuresIn 2006-07 there were:• 284,288 online book renewals• 24,777 online reservations• 305,245 visits to the Libraries pages ofthe Hertsdirect.org websiteIn addition to making library servicesavailable online, the existence of thePeople’s Network ensures that allHertfordshire citizens are able to accessthe full range of e-government servicesoffered by other HCC departments. Sopeople can use their local library to reporta highway fault, request a blue badge orapply for a school place.New national initiatives such as PatientChoice, which encourages patients tocompare hospital data and bookappointments online, also stress the role oflibraries in providing universal access.Challenges for 2007Online library servicesOnline library services will be promoted tonew users and targets set to increase use.Community access pointsAs more central and local governmentservices become available electronically, itwill be increasingly important for us to workwith HCC departments, District Councilsand other partners to promote the value oflibraries as community access points to allgovernment information and services.Adult Learning“Public libraries provide a learning networkthat supports formal education but alsoextends far beyond it….The self-motivatedlearning which libraries promote is centralto the creation of a lifelong learning culturein which people expect and want to learnthroughout their lifetime”(Framework for the Future)Public libraries have always providedactive support for learning at all levelsthrough the loan of books and othermaterials, the provision of study space andfree access to information resources.These facilities have been very importantto distance learners and studentsparticipating in informal learning, who donot have access to college resources.In addition, libraries have traditionallyworked with colleges and other learningproviders to promote information aboutlearning opportunities.ICT LearningThe creation of The People’s Networkcreated a new challenge, as many userswere attracted by the new facilities but feltexcluded by their lack of experience andconfidence in the use of ICT. Libraries met11
Section 3 - Information and Lifelong Learningthis challenge by training key staff to beable to provide ICT taster sessions. Thesetaster sessions cover basic ICT skills(word processing, Internet and Email), aswell as more targeted sessions, such as‘Information for Job-seekers’ and ‘FamilyHistory on the Internet’.“Because this course is run by HCClibraries I felt there was no commercialbias – purely a helpful and educationalsession”E-LearningThe People’s Network has opened upopportunities for people to use libraries topursue distance learning and self-directede-learning opportunities, such as BBCWebwise and LearnDirect courses.Libraries have worked with HAFLS andOaklands College to develop a VirtualLearning Environment (VLE) for adult andcommunity learning that is accessiblethrough the public access computers inlibraries.ICT Learners at Watford Central LibraryLibraries, Heritage & Arts has a contractwith HAFLS for the delivery of ICTlearning, which has enabled us to widenparticipation and improve the quality of thelearning we offer.ICT learning facts and figuresIn the academic year 2005-06, 1,724 tastersessions were delivered to 1,175 individuallearners in 32 libraries.These sessions appeal particularly tolearners who have had little contact withlearning since leaving school and would beunlikely to attend formal classes. Themajority are older people, for whom theacquisition of basic computer skills is animportant aid to independent living.Evidence collected from feedback fromlearners illustrates the impact that thisprovision has had.“I am so proud of myself having completedthese courses. It has raised my selfesteem in front of my children and I havegained tremendous confidence”“The session was beyond myexpectations. I enjoyed it tremendously. Ithas given me the heart and desire tocontinue learning – I’m not as hopeless asI thought”Skills for LifeThe Government’s Skills for Life Strategyplaces the improvement of basic skills atthe centre of the adult learning agenda.Libraries support Skills for Life through:• Reading and Numbers collections in 28libraries featuring Quick Reads andother books for basic skills learners.• Participation in the Vital Link StockDevelopment scheme to identify awider range of stock suitable foremergent readers.• Skills for Life awareness training forstaff.• Forging links with learning providers torefer potential learners and toencourage basic skills classes to holdsessions in local libraries.• Promotion of online skills assessmenttools and basic skills websites such asMove On and Skillswise.BBC RaW CampaignThe BBC RaW (Reading and Writing)Campaign is a three year initiativedesigned to improve literacy skills. Alllibraries are RaW centres to support thecampaign. A range of promotionalactivities – from word quizzes to a readinggroup for emergent readers in Watford –contributed to Hertfordshire winning theBBC RaW award for the East of EnglandRegion in May 2006.12
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