Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres (Facet Publications (All Titles as Published)) - Hardcover

McMenemy, David; Poulter, Alan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1856045102 ISBN 13: 9781856045100

Publisher: Facet Publishing, 2005

Synopsis

Lifelong learning is currently a major concern of governments who wish to see their citizens remain employable while the job market changes. Critical to this are digital learning centres where learning is delivered through internet access or via CD-based packages. Access to these turns public libraries and community networks into 'multi media neighbourhood superstores' where print-based learning materials are enhanced by multimedia. The multiplicity of sources of learning materials and experiences reinforces and extends the traditional role of the librarian as mediator between the user and their needs. To support and foster these activities frontline public library and community network staff must be capable of offering user support and advice in a much wider arena. This requires training in new knowledge and skill sets.
This timely new book offers practical guidance and expertise for public library and community network staff in setting up, running and developing an effective digital learning centre based within the People's Network or in a related community networking initiative. It has a holistic focus on the use of ICT, taking staff beyond user training applications into areas of network management, e-learning, digitization, web design and XML that staff face on a day-to-day basis. Key areas covered include:

• PC installation and maintenance
• managing a network and coping with the security issues of internet connection
• understanding and supporting lifelong learning
• digitization of local materials
• managing websites and intranets: site design, metadata, XML
• building local community portals
• implementing e-government
• social inclusion and service extension: assistive technologies
• service issues: copyright, access
• user and staff training.  

Readership: This book will de-mystify this new area of development for all library and information staff working in, or setting up, a PC-based digital learning centre in information service settings within public libraries, community networking centres, and school and academic libraries.

About this title

Review:

"...a must for any librarianship student, recently appointed librarian, or any librarian, or learning centre manager, that finds themselves needing to transform their current library environment into a twenty-first century library." (Performance Measurement and Metrics)

"...a valuable resource for any public librarian." (Library Review)

"...concise, topical and practical" (Online Information Review)

Synopsis:

This timely book offers practical guidance and expertise for staff in libraries and learning centres in setting up, developing and managing effective digital services. The book has a holistic focus on the use of ICT, taking staff beyond user training applications into areas of network management, e-learning, digitization and web design. The emphasis is on creative utilization of ICT for front-line library and information services. The book is divided into three main parts: policy and legal background; front-line issues in the 21st-century public library; and content creation. PowerPoint files for the activities covered in each chapter are available for download and use from the website accompanying the book at www facetpublishing.co.uk/deliveringdigitalservices. This is an essential handbook to de-mystify this new area of development for all library and information staff. It is suitable for all staff working in, or setting up, a PC-based digital learning centre in information service settings within public libraries, community networking centres, and school and academic libraries.

About this edition

• Publisher: Facet Publishing
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1856045102
• ISBN 13: 9781856045100
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200