People's Network film

In 2002 MLA commissioned a short promotional film that celebrates the People's Network in UK public library services. The film acknowledges the immense contribution library services from all over the UK have made in implementing the project, along with its funding partners: the New Opportunities Fund (now Big Lottery Fund) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The film provides library services with a powerful advocacy tool which can be helpful in promoting ICT services and facilities to key stakeholders and local communities.

Each film case study can be downloaded below. Alternatively the complete 18-minute film is available on CD-ROM along with each case study as a separate file. A 6-8 minute version of the film is also available on request in CD-ROM format. You may request copies of the CD ROM if you email peoplesnetwork@mla.gov.uk.

Film case studies

The video features 6 case studies based in 6 different locations across the UK. They each highlight in particular ways how the People's Network has had a positive impact on people's lives.

Each case study is available to download in Windows Media Player (WMP) and Quick Time (QT) formats, with versions suitable for Dial-Up (Low) and Broadband (High) connections.

• Omagh, Northern Ireland: Jacqui McMenamin, a single parent, uses the Internet to make connections with people around the world through her poetry writing and as a result helps herself come to terms with losing a close family member in the Omagh bomb.
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

• Powys, Wales: The Welsh case study features community involvement in a local history digitisation project which is being co-ordinated by the library service and funded by NOF as part of the nof-digitise initiative.
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

• Shard End, Birmingham: This group of children tell us they think it's cool to use computers in their local library to help them with their homework, after school!
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

• Barrhead, Scotland: Frank McKell is a pensioner, turned writer thanks to the help and encouragement of Barrhead library staff and ICT facilities. He tells us about his research on his travels in Spain and the United States.
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

• Belfast, Northern Ireland: Brendan has been out of work for a number of years and is encouraged to return to learning through a computer course in Belfast Central Library. He tells us of his aspirations to become computer literate so that he can get a job.
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

• Peckham, London: The People's Network is also having a big impact on staff in public libraries. Ashoke Chaudhury tells us about his role and experiences at Peckham library and in his own words tells us why he thinks library staff have a pivotal role to play in making the People's Network a success.
  
  

  WMP	Low	High
  QT	Low	High

  
  

Copyright and acceptable use policy information

MLA holds the copyright to the film. They may be used providing that the following conditions are met:

• MLA, the New Opportunities Fund (now Big Lottery Fund), the People's Network and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are duly accredited.
  
• The video / CD-ROM is used for non-commercial purposes only.
  
• The contents may not be adapted in any way, and must not be used in such a way as to change the original meaning or intention.
  
• MLA grants non-exclusive, UK rights only.
  
• MLA reserves the right to approve and veto the use of the material.
  
• If you would like to use shorter clips of the film you will need to write and seek permission to do so, outlining which parts of the film you would like to use, for what purpose and how you intend to produce such clips.
  
• Requests to reproduce the video / CD-ROM must be made in writing to the People's Network Team at MLA.

People's Network : People's Network Project information : People's Network film