WIREDGOV

The Assembly Government will be investing £10.5 million over the next three years to help deliver the programme, which includes increased funding to modernise facilities in over 20 percent of public libraries open 10 hours or more a week by 2011.

But it’s not just about bricks and mortar. The Libraries for Life programme builds on work already underway to keep the whole experience of using your local libraries in step with modern life and people’s changing needs.

Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas said:

Libraries enrich the lives of people in Wales at all life stages so it is very important that we look after the network and make the right investments in facilities, staff development and marketing to keep libraries vibrant, relevant and accessible.

This programme provides a framework for the Assembly Government, local authorities and all types of libraries across Wales to come together to create a truly 21st century library network.

With more people getting online, it aims to use information technology to take library services direct into people’s homes and workplaces via the Internet. It will deliver new innovative services such as enabling people to find that elusive book by searching across all web-enabled Welsh public, and academic library catalogues in one easy go,

Another online service being developed by the National Library of Wales is the virtual library www.library.wales.org , which has information about your local library and library events and access to online newspapers and reference books available free to library members. Introducing Wi-Fi services in public libraries is another IT initiative to attract more people to libraries.

Libraries for Life will further encourage libraries to work together to open up access to their collection to a wider audience, e.g. make it easier for library members to borrow from and use different libraries in their area.

Another key element of Libraries for Life will be to attract more people to use their local library. Following the recent success of the first Welsh Libraries Festival, when over 300 activities were held in libraries during last October, and the Recommend a Friend competition in January, Wrexham Library and Information services will be co-ordinating a wide range of new activities to tempt new users on behalf of all libraries in Wales.

Encouraging people to enjoy reading forms a central part of the marketing activities for this year, with additional funding being provided to enable libraries to stage additional activities to support the National Year of Reading.

Research has shown that library staff are highly valued by library users for the ‘something extra’ they provide compared to search engines. Libraries for Life will provide training opportunities for library staff in all types of libraries to add to their wide-ranging skills.

Related Links

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/cultureandsport/museumsarchiveslibraries/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/cultureandsport/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/cultureandsport/museumsarchiveslibraries/cymalL4/?lang=en