People's Network Service
The People's Network
The People's Network, completed in 2002, was a major lottery funded government-led initiative to bring equality of internet access to the whole UK population, by installing PCs, broadband connection and software in all public libraries; training library staff to support users and creating a wealth of quality digital materials relevant to local needs.
It took vision and a substantial investment - the largest in the 150 year history of public libraries - but the People's Network has helped to transform the service and become one of the most successful ever lottery-funded projects.
There are now more than 20,000 terminals in 3,500 libraries in England. Free internet access has had a dramatic impact on public libraries' standing in the community. The number of young people visiting libraries has increased and older people are using the computers to learn new skills. Libraries are in an unrivalled position to bridge what the government calls "the digital divide" - the gap between those who use computers every day, and those with very limited access.
The next phase - national online services for the public
After many months of hard work and technical preparation, the People's Network Enquire, Discover and Read services were officially launched on Wednesday 19th October 2005.
Events took place in library buildings around the country to welcome this, the first ever consumer-facing national website for public libraries - www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk
. At the same time, culture minister David Lammy used his speech at the PLA conference in Warwick to herald this important step forward for the library service.
The £500,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund used to develop these services has given library services an unprecendented opportunity to extend the reach of public libraries, breaking down physical barriers, giving people access to services wherever they are, whatever the time of day or night.
An online resource - the People's Network staff room
- has also been developed to advise staff who work in the sector about each of the People's Network services. It gives an insight into what's behind the PN services and how libraries and other organisations can get involved in contributing to their delivery and development.
Enquire
Already over 60% of library authorities around the country help to deliver Enquire, with more libraries signing up every week. By taking part they provide library users with a highly professional, 24/7 real-time and email enquiry service, delivered daily by library staff in England, and at night by colleagues from the United States.
It costs each of these authorities less than £30 a week for everything they need to take part - the software, training, support and service management. Their only other commitment is one day per month of staff time to answer enquiries - and this will reduce as more library authorities take part in the scheme.
Much more information about Enquire and what's involved in taking part is available in the Enquire for staff pages
of the People's Network staff room.
Discover
Discover is a search-type service that people can personalise to make the information they receive relevant to their particular needs. It offers one-stop access to a wide range of resources from quick reference website links to information on collections and objects from museums, libraries and archives.
The range of resources you will be able to access will grow to include:
- cultural resources to inform and promote a sense of place
- community information resources to highlight local activities and services
- reference resources to support knowledge and understanding
- Government resources to aid active citizenship
- learning resources to assist informal and formal learning
Visit the Discover for staff
pages of the People's Network staff room to find out more.
Read
Read provides people with access to resources specific to books and reading, including reader2reader which puts people in touch with their reading peers in a number of innovative ways online, and Find a reading group, which is a searchable database of reading groups which meet up and down the country in libraries to talk about their love of books.
Visit Read for Staff
in the People's Network staff room to find out more about the service.
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