Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service Delivering ICT and Information to Rural Communities Anne Harrison & Helen Dewar

Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service 1 Background and challenges for ICT and how Aberdeenshire tried to address some of these – Anne Harrison 2. NOF CALL Tutor Project – Helen Dewar

Background Rural authority - North East Scotland Integrated library service - schools and public 36 libraries 6 mobile libraries 17 academies incl 3 community libraries

Challenges for ICT Public access to ICT Staff numbers and spread Keeping up with the technology New resources – NOF funded / ALIS funded New initiatives – eg reader development

How Aberdeenshire addressed these challenges User guides developed to access the PN and the resources Launched (go online at libraries) Staff ICT training and support

Reader development

The Future Intranet developments Staff skills Partnerships / Shared vision

Community access to lifelong learning(CALL) Tutor Project Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service (ALIS)

Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion Demography of Aberdeenshire Background to the project Scope of project Current position Future challenges

Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion Background National objectives – – Digital Inclusion : infrastructure created Peoples Network NOF Training for Library Staff (ECDL; Scotia) ALIS restructured – advantages of joint service (Lifelong Learning) – New posts required Information Literacy Librarian 2 part time Learner Support Tutors

Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion Background Participation in the Scottish Learning Network Project. Gained understanding of adult learners and their needs. Desire for libraries to develop learning role Learning partners – experience of bids – willing to work alongside us

Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion Background Met with partners to prepare NOF/ CALL Bid – gap analysis Funding granted by NOF and staff appointed August 2002 to develop the project

Scope of the project Key role information handling/ literacy Complementary to other provision Free Flexible One to one and small group Gateway to other learning providers ILPs Customer base – target specific groups 36 Access points Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion

Current position Supported ICT sessions are available in all 36 branches in Aberdeenshire – Branch staff receive additional hours to provide dedicated supported ICT sessions to learners – Each branch is allocated a budget of hours and plans activities and sessions over the year according to local circumstances and demand. Promotes rural inclusion – Access points in rural communities across Aberdeenshire – Social benefits of taking part in training – Development of skills – Access to information Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service ICT and Rural Inclusion

NOF client groups Adults – no ready access to ICT Rural Parents Disabled Ethnic minorities

Uptake Target August 2003 – July learners accessing the project Actuals May learners attending courses 600 using self study material

Advantages for customer Free Flexible One to one Small group Community building

Advantages for tutor Job satisfaction – scope to develop the project Free from constraints of delivering accredited learning Preparing own materials – keep it simple Customer confidence

Quality control Training Learning materials Network meetings Reporting

Capacity building Access points – partner use Referrals Links to ALIS projects literacy homework clubs Bookstart/Surestart Careers development

ALIS - checklist Balance formal and informal learning opportunities Peer /Staff led training and support Incentives to stimulate uptake- goody bags Offer try-it activities to attract previously excluded groups Facilities comfortable and non threatening Internet as vehicle for re-skilling and lifelong learning Develop relevant need focused content – content user led

Users come to Learn to use a computer Send to family and friends Pursue hobby on internet Meet other people and make new friends Improve confidence with ICT Build upon existing ICT knowledge Increase employability Enhance career progression Develop skills to help others Get back to learning Acquire new skills

ALIS offers Convenient location Supportive environment – gentle tailored approach to learning – at own pace as well as info on learning options and personal dev support Respond to learner needs – opt in and out Links to other activities to attract excluded Actively using new skills ( staff) New attitude to learning and progression( staff) Community and social links – meet new people

Sustainability and the future Outreach Marketing and programmes of events Higher education links Community Learning and Development Plan Community Plan