Inspire - eNewsletter
July 2014
Inspire supports libraries from all sectors in working together to enable members of
communities across the UK engaged in lifelong learning or research to find and access their
information needs.
News
The British Library
Big UK Domain Data for the Arts and Humanities
The British Library, the web archiving team are involved in this important new project, which
builds on two earlier collaborative projects, both funded by the JISC: the AADDA project
(with the IHR) and (at the Oxford Internet Institute) Big Data: Demonstrating the Value of
the UKW Web Domain Dataset for Social Science Research.
The web archive holdings of the British Library for the UK consist of three main parts, each
compiled under different conditions at different times, and accessed in different ways. One
of the long-term outcomes of this project is to help us bring some of these access
arrangements closer together.
The JISC UK Web Domain Dataset is one of these and is the focus of this work. It is a copy of
the holdings of the Internet Archive for the .uk top level domain for the period 1996 to 2013.
The search and analysis interface for this is not yet publicly available, although individual
items within it are available from the Internet Archive’s own site if you know the URL you
need. There are also several datasets derived from it available for download on a public
domain basis.
Although not a complete record of the UK web for that period, it is the most comprehensive
such archive in existence. We are delighted to be working with arts and humanities
researchers to develop the next generation of search and analysis tools to interrogate this
unique dataset. Over time, those new tools should also greatly enhance the ways in which
users can work with all three components of our web archives for the UK. More here
Wales
National Assembly for Wales’ Communities, Equality and Local Government committee
report provides strong support for Public Libraries
Following its inquiry into public libraries in Wales, the National Assembly for Wales*
Communities, Equality and Local Government committee published its report on 23rd July
2014.
The inquiry covered a range of matters including Welsh Government policy, legislative
frameworks, impact of public sector cuts, alternative models of provision, and the
'contemporary and community role' of public libraries.
The report gave 10 recommendations for the Minister for Natural Resources, Culture and
Sport, including that he should:
1. Produce and publish an annual report on the state of public libraries in Wales
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July 2014
2. Make arrangements for the central publication of disaggregated data showing the use
of public libraries by demographic groups
3. Work with partners to develop a contemporary definition of 'comprehensive and
efficient' library services for local authorities to deliver under the Public Libraries and
Museums Act 1964. Such a definition should include the provision of internet
access which should remain free of charge
4. Consider developing a voluntary accreditation scheme for individual libraries in Wales
5. Continue to work with local authorities and their partners to identify and promote
further opportunities for collaboration and co-location arrangements in the delivery
of library services
6. Ensure that the necessary ongoing support and guidance is available in order to
increase the long-term sustainability of community managed libraries
7. Ensure that adequate support and guidance continues to be available to local
authorities to identify and pursue all available funding opportunities
8. Explore with local authorities all other available options for libraries to raise revenue
whilst core library services should remain free of charge
9. Work with local authorities and partners to promote better the wide range of services
provided by public libraries
10. Continue to pursue the case for additional funding from the UK Government in
recognition of the increasing responsibilities for library staff in Wales in supporting the
delivery of digital-by-default welfare reforms.
It also states "...in our view, the delivery of library services in Wales should be led by
professionals who bring the necessary knowledge and expertise to the role." (para 108)
It concludes that "Libraries are unique in their contribution to so many areas of community
life, including education, health and wellbeing, tackling poverty and social exclusion."
The Minister will respond to the report, and his expert review panel will be considering this
report in the preparation of their report into public libraries in Wales.
* The report refers to the Minister for Culture and Sport as it was written before his
portfolio changed.
(Report also available in Welsh.)
With Thanks to Alyson Tyler and her Welsh libraries blog for this overview of this report.
However, also in Wales….
Powys considering the closures of 11 libraries
AS MANY as 11 libraries could be axed under council cost cutting measures. Powys County
Council (PCC) said it is considering the closures as one of three plans for the future of
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libraries in the county.http://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/135497/libraries-underthreat.aspx
Scotland
New National Librarian at the National Library of Scotland
Dr John Scally has been appointed as the new National Librarian at the National Library of
Scotland. He returns to where he started his library career in 1993 when he was appointed
as a curator in the British Antiquarian Division. Since then he has worked at the University of
Edinburgh as Director of University Collections and Deputy Director of Library, Museums and
Galleries. In 2012 he became Director of Library and University Collections.
Wealth of Reading
Dumfries and Galloway’s regional libraries are hosting a special summer reading promotion
for adults to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. The ‘Wealth of Reading’ promotion,
which will run in all libraries until 30 September, has been designed to celebrate reading and
the Commonwealth.
Writers from around the world and books featuring places and characters from
Commonwealth countries are available in print format in branches and on free
downloadable e-books from.dumgal.gov.uk/ebooks. More here
General News
No copyright resolution for libraries
Discussions regarding an international copyright instrument for libraries and archives again
collapsed inconclusively at the 28th meeting of the Standing Committee on Copyright &
Related Rights (SCCR) in Geneva, from June30 – July 4. In the early hours of July 5, Member
States finally 'agreed to disagree' on any conclusions on copyright exceptions for libraries
and archives, as well as a draft treaty for broadcasting. More here
Keep in Touch with the Cultural Commissioning Programme’s e-bulletin
The Cultural Commissioning Programme is a three year Arts Council funded programme
running from July 2013 to June 2016. It aims to help the arts and cultural sector to engage in
public sector commissioning by providing a range of activities and advice to support
organisations in the arts, museums and libraries sectors. It also works to create a greater
awareness amongst public service commissioners of the potential for the arts and culture to
deliver their outcomes.
Information about the support and resources available are circulated regularly through their
bi-monthly e-bulletin and you can sign up here, to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Researchers welcome access to Science Classic archive
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AAAS and Jisc are pleased to announce an agreement which will give researchers, teachers
and learners free access to over 100 years of peer-reviewed scientific news, commentary
and cutting-edge research.
The Science Classic archive will be available to staff and students in UK higher and further
education and the research councils.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/news/researchers-welcome-access-to-science-classic-archive-15jul-2014
Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL)
EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) works with libraries to enable access to digital
information in developing and transition countries. They are an international not-for-profit
organisation based in Europe with a global network of partners.
Founded in 1999, EIFL began by advocating for affordable access to commercial e-journals
for academic and research libraries in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, EIFL partners with
libraries and library consortia in more than 60 developing and transition countries in Africa,
Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Their work has also expanded to include other programmes
designed to enable access to knowledge for education, learning, research and sustainable
community development. As part of the collaboration, Edward Elgar Publishing has recently
agreed to provide institutions in 41 countries with free access to its journals and
development studies ebooks via the Edward Elgar Publishing http://www.elgaronline.com
content platform.
At a Tipping Point: Education, Learning and Libraries: OCLC Report
In this latest report to the OCLC membership, At a Tipping Point: Education, Learning and
Libraries, OCLC explores the information consumer's behaviours, beliefs and expectations for
online learning.
Fuelled by mobile devices, new learning platforms and economic incentives, learners are
trying and achieving success with new learning models. The information consumer has
become an online education consumer.
The study aims to provide librarians with important information about the trends and
triggers that are reshaping education—and the opportunities and challenges this shift brings
to libraries.
The report explores:
 Habits and perceptions of online learners
 Expectations for the future of online learning
 Top-of-mind perceptions of a college education
 Factors influencing the college choice
 Library use by online learners—on campus and online
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
MOOCs—a massively interesting case study on the future of education
 The library brand
 Implications and opportunities for academic and public libraries
More here.
More Advice from the Clueless: The UK library situation from a US point of view
It’s often amusing to read big bold statements about libraries from people who don’t know
anything about libraries. It’s even more amusing when the statements are ludicrous.
Ah, but what can one expect from a fellow from someplace called the Adam Smith Institute,
which bills itself as “one of the world’s leading think tanks,” but which you’ve probably never
heard of unless you live in the UK. The latest ridiculous suggestion is to close all the British
libraries and have the government buy everyone a Kindle “Unlimited” subscription, because
the writer knows even less about Kindle Unlimited than he does about libraries, apparently
having never used either.
(It gets better – ed.) :
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/2014/07/24/more-advice-from-theclueless/
New home for Black Cultural Archives in Brixton
The new home of Black Cultural Archives has been created through the renovation and
extension of Raleigh Hall, a Grade II listed building in the heart of Brixton which opened on
July 24th. This major centre for black history and culture, now houses a specialist research
centre and reference library, dedicated spaces for education and learning, an exhibition
gallery and a café. The £7million capital project has been supported by a £4million grant
from HLF. More about the centre here
Events
Improving Health in Wartime - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
When: Monday 28 July 2014 to Friday 8 August 2014, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Reception and Manson Foyer, LSHTM, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
Type of event: Exhibition
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August 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. To
commemorate this event, the Library and Archives Service has created an exhibition to show
how tropical medicine and public health professionals have worked to improve health in
areas of conflict since the First World War.
Selected from the School's archives and from the work of current staff, you will find out how
Sir Ronald Ross survived a torpedo attack in 1917, what happened when the School was
bombed during the blitz, how being a nutritionist helped staff member Dr Dean Smith
survive a Japanese Internment Camp in the Second World War, why we have the war medals
of Thomas Spence Dunn and how School staff have worked with people affected by the
recent conflicts in the Balkans and Sudan.
Full details are here: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/events/2014/07/improvinghealth-in-wartime
Lost Libraries 2: a walk through some more of London’s forgotten book collections
When: Thursday 14 August 2014, 18.00-20.00
Where: Meeting point: Burlington House courtyard, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD (Tube:
Piccadilly Circus or Green Park)
Cost: Tickets are £10 each. Please email Jo Maddocks (Jo.Maddocks@bl.uk) to reserve your
place. This event is open to all, so early booking is recommended.
Twenty-first century London contains some of the finest book collections in the world, but
what about the libraries that haven’t survived? If you know where to look, London’s streets
and alleyways are crammed with the ghosts of libraries past.
This brand new walk will carry you back through London’s history, to long-forgotten
libraries, readers, librarians and collectors. In the company of Alice Ford-Smith (Bernard
Quaritch Ltd), Lost Libraries 2 uncovers further links between London’s past and present
book collections.
From the heart of St James’s to the fringes of Bloomsbury, you will hear tales of enterprise,
obsession, opulence, connoisseurship, secrecy and loss. The libraries have been specially
selected for this new route into London’s library history. Newcomers and regulars are both
welcome.
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The walk ends at approximately 8pm near both Holborn and Tottenham Court Road
underground stations. Please be prepared for no breaks.
Numbers are limited to 25 people, and pre-booking is essential so early booking is
recommended.
The second Jisc Monitor Development workshop
Where: Jisc Brettenham House meeting rooms in London on
When: Friday, 19 September 2014 from 10am to 4pm.
Cost: Free
The second Jisc Monitor Development workshop is run to involve users in the work being
undertaken through the Jisc Monitor project.
Monitor continues as a one-year project, which started in May 2014, to explore how a Jisc
managed shared service might support institutions in meeting HEFCE Open Access policy.
The project is continuing to scope proof of concept prototypes to respond to specific use
cases, and these will be used to assess the feasibility of, and priorities for, developing a
service. In this event, our second areas of focus will be on the challenges of monitoring
spend for Open Access and Standards Development to enable efficient data exchange.
As with the first workshop, the purpose of this second workshop is to continue to inform the
project’s work by going further in capturing institutional requirements, identifying common
ground and exploring variances in practice. In that way, it is a on-going process of user
engagement for the project, with optional opportunities for attendees to attend subsequent
online reviews to test and provide feedback on aspects of the project’s outputs as they are
in development later in October.
If you’re interested in attending, please fill out the event form by clicking on the Eventbrite
link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jisc-monitor-use-case-development-workshop-2tickets-12408894337
Discovering Collections, Discovering Communities: Forging collection-based collaboration
between archives, museums and academia
When: 29th and 30th October, 2014
Where: Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2ND
Cost: Registration is free and you can book your place here.
Discovering Collections, Discovering Communities’ is a free collaborative conference
organised by Research Libraries UK, The National Archives, Arts Council England, and in
association with the Library of Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Cadbury Research
Library.
This year’s conference follows on from the success and popularity of 'Enhancing Impact,
Inspiring Excellence: collaborative approaches between archives and universities' held at The
University of Birmingham in September 2013. It will explore the 'discoverability' of
collections across different formats, institutions and professions. It will investigate the
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potential collections have for engaging with a range of communities, whether academic,
socio-economic, or demographic.
End Notes

Nottingham’s ‘Read’ Flashmob here

Molly the Library cat

Surrey Libraries bring their libraries closer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWHmCrpBzAA
Reminder: this newsletter is about collaborative activities, ideas and proposals throughout the
UK – and beyond. If you would like to contribute information on events or developments in your
area, whether they are large or small, or offer any other items which might be of interest to
Inspire members –please send them to me at inspire2011@hotmail.co.uk. Any other
comments or feedback on the Inspire e-newsletter also welcome. Thank you
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