Vai SLC – “Today sees the launch of ‘Essential Digital Infrastructure for Public Libraries in England: A Plan moving forward’. The report, written by BiblioCommons, looks at how users experience their libraries currently and outlines an approach to building a single digital presence for libraries. The report is funded by the Arts Council and supported by a wide range of partners  Full report and appendices here.

Key findings from the report include:
–Today’s library IT was largely designed 30 years ago.
–Library websites frustrate users instead of serving them.
–Current library digital infrastructure keeps libraries from sharing audiences and resources online with national nonprofits and government partners.
–Current digital infrastructure prevents one library from adopting the best practices of another and discourages innovation rather than promoting it.
–Libraries struggle to partner nationally because each library system has its own set of software speaking different languages, rather than a shared digital infrastructure speaking one common language.” [Darlene Fichter]