Greater access to high speed broadband for the public in libraries across England is now possible thanks to an agreement brokered by the MLA.
MLA is working with JISC and JANET(UK), who respectively fund and operate the JANET education and research network, to give public libraries access to a wider range of high quality online learning resources and the option of a faster internet service.
To give some idea of the potential improvement, JANET connection speeds are 1 gigabit per second (1Gbit/s) – up to ten times more than existing typical bandwidths at central libraries in England, which in turn can be ten times more than home connections.
MLA chief executive Roy Clare said: “People and communities using public libraries across the country are set to benefit from faster broadband speeds and more digital capacity.
“Local authorities can now choose to switchover to JANET, a high quality network that is already widely available in schools, colleges and universities and a case study in Shropshire shows that the step is highly beneficial for the public and cost-efficient to achieve.
“This is the biggest digital advance for public libraries since internet services were introduced through the People’s Network.
“The MLA is pushing ahead with further developments in its range of digital resources for users of public libraries. We urge all public libraries to speed up their internet connections and actively promote their existing 24/7 on-line services.”
The initiative has been welcomed by representatives of the Society of Chief Librarians, CILIP and other prominent bodies.
Other initiatives the MLA is working on to meet the digital challenge for libraries are:
* Strengthening the Reference Online programme which delivers world class reference sources to libraries at affordable rates by adding a wider range of resources
* Brokering relationships between e-books suppliers and library services and working to engage publishers and manufacturers of e-book readers to provide a positive environment for the development of e-book services in libraries
* MLA has published research into new ways of delivering library services through a national online book loan service
* Developing policies on digital inclusion, digital life skills and media literacy as part of a national consortium on digital participation and as part of the cross-government digital inclusion working group
* Encouraging ‘best practice’ library authorities to market their 24/7 on-line library services, which already enable book ordering and provide other resources to people in the comfort of their homes
MLA Chair Sir Andrew Motion said: "This announcement marks a major development in the provision of library services, at once extending and confirming their value to all our lives. I'm delighted that the MLA has been able to play such a central role.”
Endorsements for the JANET initiative
Fiona Williams, president of the Society of Chief Librarians, said: "We welcome this initiative as fast connection speeds are essential to how people use the internet. Libraries all over the country are rapidly developing their e-services and responding to user need.”
Bob McKee, chief executive of CILIP, said: "Partnership between the People's Network and JANET makes good sense. This deal is great news for public libraries and their communities."
Professor Michael Thorne, chair of Advisory Council on Libraries, said: "The MLA has shown visionary leadership in identifying and securing an affordable way for public libraries to enjoy state-of-the-art online content and facilities.”
Jennifer Holland, head of Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service, said: "We're always looking at ways that we can make our services better and more efficient. Faster broadband speeds that allow library visitors to make the most of their time in our libraries are important to them and to us."
David Ruse, director of Libraries and Culture Westminster City Council, said: "This is very good news for library users. With the increasing amount of digital content available in bandwidth-hungry video or interactive formats, the higher speeds available through the JANET network should remove those frustrating pauses as files buffer and load, and allow our users to focus on the content, rather than the IT. We will certainly be considering the cost-benefits of this in Westminster.”
John Newbigin, chair of Culture 24, said: "Bringing together the long-established network which is our library service and the newly established networks of high speed broadband in this way gives greater value to both - and opens up the possibility of brilliant new services for communities."
Professor Jon Drori, director of the media and education consultancy Changing Media Ltd, said: "This huge leap in speed should give library users a much happier experience and with imagination, it should enable libraries to offer exciting new services."
Jane Finnis, publisher of the Culture24 website, said: "Free access to online services was always a very natural extension of library culture. This new faster service is great as it will improve the user experience and open up opportunities for all kinds of new social activities."