Overview of content related to 'e-learning'

Public Libraries: 2003, 2004: A Backward Glance and Thoughts on the Future

editor — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Penny Garrod looks at some of the broader issues affecting public libraries and information professionals.

Spam, privacy and the law

Another year gone and the millennium celebrations and Y2K bug already seem to belong to some dim and distant technological past.

As 2003 drew to a close the spotlight was on the use and abuse of Information Technology: never was so much havoc caused by so few. The language employed by the media to describe events in the online world reflected global concerns about warfare and disease. Viruses, worms and trojan horses 'infected' and 'invaded' international networks, and a 'war' on spam was declared.

Ebooks in UK Libraries: Where Are We Now?

editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Penny Garrod brings us up to date on developments in ebooks.

"I suspect that more words are being published about the ebook phenomenon in print than have actually been placed into ebooks so far." [1]

Framework for the Future: Access to Digital Skills and Services (Including e-Government)

editor — Tue, 29 Jul 2003 23:00:00 +0000

Penny Garrod examines further this government blueprint and argues that some have to walk before they can run.

"Unless public services cooperate, broadband Britain will be going nowhere" [1]. "Libraries are sleepwalking to disaster: it's time they woke up" [2]. Warnings, predictions of failure or even extinction seem to be a recurring theme on email lists, news alerting services, think-tank reports and in the media. Some refer to public sector failings in general, whilst others attempt to raise the collective public library conscience and consciousness, and galvanise people into action.

Creating Websites for e-Citizens: the Public Library Web Managers Workshop 2002

editor — Tue, 29 Apr 2003 23:00:00 +0000

In the first of a series of articles, Penny Garrod takes us through some of the choices confronting UK public libraries, and begins by looking at the ramifications of the DCMS report "Framework for the future".

What is the primary role and function of the public library in 21st Century Britain? Are public libraries in danger of trying to do too many things? Are they trying to please all of the people all of the time? How can the People's Network be sustained post-lottery funding? What is special about public libraries - do they have a Unique Selling Point? Are traditional, book-based services being run down as the focus switches to ICT and e-everything?