Scottish Government

Scotland's National Cultural Strategy Annual Report 2003

• PROMOTING READING AND LITERATURE

Peter Peacock MSP, then Deputy Minister for Finance
attending the launch of library electronic resources,
with Councillor Neil Clark, Highland Council,
David Campbell, Scotland Board Member, NOF,
and Christopher Phillips, Libraries Information and Archive manager,
Highland Council. Photo courtesy of Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

>> ACTION SINCE NOVEMBER 2002

NATIONAL E-COLLECTIONS DEVELOPED -

the National Library of Scotland's transformation into a 'virtual national library' continues with the appointment of an e-Collections Development Co-ordinator to manage the growth of electronic content in the collections - identifying, assessing and helping to make available a wealth of electronic resources.

CELEBRATING WORLD BOOK DAY FESTIVAL -

in March 2003 all Midlothian libraries participated in the World Book Day Festival which showcased a range of world-class authors giving interviews, talks, readings and chat sessions throughout the day, as well as opportunities for people to interact with them online. The creative concept was to present a 'mosaic' of events that people could dip in and out of online throughout the day using library computers.

"SUPPORT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND IN ITS AIM TO BECOME A 'HYBRID LIBRARY'"

Images from 150 years of public libraries in Scotland

INCREASED ELECTRONIC ACCESS FOR LIBRARY USERS -

the quantity of electronic information on offer at the National Library of Scotland has increased by leaps and bounds. Almost 250,000 has been spent this year on purchasing and subscribing to electronic publications and services. Users now have access to, among others, The Times Digital Archive (a completely searchable digital version of The Times newspaper from 1785 to 1985), Oxford Reference Online (electronic access to hundreds of general reference books), and ISI Web of Science (indexing over 8,500 humanities, sciences and social sciences journals).

• Thanks to a new service called "Ask A Librarian", users of the National Library of Scotland can now make enquiries online and track their progress electronically. This web-based reference service draws on the resources of a worldwide network of subscriber libraries.

• Over 1,900 Ordnance Survey town plans now provide an online snapshot of urban Scotland, on the National Library's popular maps website: URL:http://www.nls.uk/maps. The plans of over 60 Scottish towns, produced between 1847 and 1895 are zoomable, high resolution images. They join over 1,200 maps of Scotland from 1560-1928.

THE EXECUTIVE BACKS HOME READING -

the Executive's Home Reading Initiative includes a small grants scheme to raise the standard of literacy throughout Scotland, by promoting a greater interest in books and reading by children, from a young age. The initiative encourages parents and carers to read with children, and targets families with working parents or carers, with young boys, and those in socially deprived areas.

The small grants scheme assists access to home reading materials, providing organisations at a local level with start-up costs for initiatives to encourage reading within the home as a worthwhile activity. 330,000 in small grants has been distributed to over 450 organisations: nursery schools (both state and private), primary and secondary schools, community groups and traveller education units. The majority of grants have provided thousands of books, new Story Sacks (with a book, a puzzle and a puppet, on the same theme), and teddy bears with books for nursery children. See Home Reading Initiative website:www.readtogether.co.uk

Reader Development Scottish Promotion

OPENING THE BOOK ON READER DEVELOPMENT -

'reader development' initiatives by the Scottish Library and Information Council and CILIPS (the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland) have had real impact in partnership with local authorities. Funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the National Readership Development Officer has established a Reader Development Co-ordinator in each public library authority. Following Year 1's local reading promotions, in Year 2 the Co-ordinators combined to plan a national programme "Print Options" aimed at 18-25 year old People's Network users.

>> ACTION TO FOLLOW

LIVE LITERATURE -

at the end of November 2003, the Scottish Book Trust will re-launch the "Writers in Scotland" scheme as "Live Literature Scotland" ready for the scheme's 2004-05 session. Writers in Scotland brings Scottish fiction writers, playwrights, poets, storytellers and their work to every corner of society. It subsidises writers' events in schools, libraries, writers groups, universities, special needs organisations, prisons and community and literary organisations throughout Scotland. The project supports work of published fiction writers and poets, produced playwrights registered with the Trust, and storytellers registered with the National Storytelling Forum. It receives funding from the Scottish Arts Council.

Every year the Scottish Book Trust part-funds up to 1,500 visits around the country, which can take the form of readings, workshops, storytelling events, playwriting sessions etc. and this reaches an audience of over 50,000 (website:www.scottishbooktrust.com).

"IDENTIFY THE CONTRIBUTION THAT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CAN MAKE TO PROMOTING LITERACY"

• DEVELOPING ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES TO BOOST ACCESS

Midlothian Live IT Libraries

>> ACTION SINCE NOVEMBER 2002

SCAN GOES LIVE! -

combining the latest technology with the expertise of top Scottish archivists and web designers, the Scottish Archive Network (SCAN) was launched in October 2003 - the world's largest ever archive digitisation project. The 4 million, 4-year project by the National Archives of Scotland, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, features every will and testament written in Scotland from 1500 to 1901.

This rich source for pupils, students, researchers, family tree hunters, solicitors, authors and many more includes the wills of Rob Roy MacGregor, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Henry Raeburn - website:www.scan.org.uk

JOINT PROCUREMENT OF ELECTRONIC SERVICES -

in December 2002, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services launched a major e-content initiative for all public libraries in Scotland. With 600,000 from the New Opportunities Fund, the Scottish Library and Information Council negotiated the first national procurement of electronic reference services for public libraries. Now, even the smallest public libraries have equitable access to a range of electronic resources. Work continues to map and extend existing provision.

PROMOTING THE PEOPLE'S NETWORK -

working with the Scottish Borders Adult Guidance Network, Library and Information Services used Adult Learners' Week to highlight the benefits of the People's Network. Local agencies and groups contributed to taster sessions in all the Council's 12 libraries showcasing popular websites, and members of the public had a chance to try these out. In the 3 months following the Network's launch, library staff have taken over 21,700 bookings from people wanting to use the new public access PCs.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH Live IT - the People's Network initiative included a project to introduce Live IT learning centres into all libraries in Midlothian. From late in 2002, free access has been provided to PCs, scanners, printer0s and various pieces of software. Live IT is funded by the New Opportunties Fund and Midlothian Council.

The People's Network provides free access to the Internet and new technology, connecting all Scotland's libraries. The project was funded by the New Opportunities Fund.

BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION/EXECUTIVE CHALLENGE FUND PROJECTS -

the Scottish Library and Information Council continues to administer the progress of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/Scottish Executive Challenge Fund projects. Fourteen library authorities were allocated funding for projects demonstrating innovative ways for libraries to assist in tackling social and digital exclusion through ICT facilities and support. Projects include community websites, ICT outreach workers and working with disadvantaged groups. Information is collected on project progress and a one-day conference is planned to share best practice.

Barrhead.com (East Renfrewshire) aims to promote inclusion and regeneration through ICT by developing a community website. The website provides a one-door approach to information on Barrhead and its communities. Much of the content was developed and created by the local community. Teams of local residents have developed the necessary ICT skills to create web pages, to access the site and create and use e-mail addresses.

View of Tiree from 'An Turas'

"ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY NETWORK"