There are many interesting projects that are now being developed around the region. Many organisations in the UK have now adopted the Inspire kitemark criteria.
Inspire 'kite mark'
To ensure that Inspire becomes a truly national access service, it is important that all higher education libraries and public library authorities 'sign up' to Inspire. A set of criteria which every library should meet in order to be 'granted' the Inspire 'kite mark' has been developed. Libraries will also need to participation in the national Inspire training programme to achieve this. The 'kite mark' would ensure that library users could be guaranteed a 'minimum offer' for access. Following discussion with the Inspire Steering Group, the following criteria has been developed:
- As a 'minimum offer', users of Inspire should be able to access the Library's resources for reference purposes. (Electronic licensing agreements may limit this to hard copy only)
- All Inspire partners should be committed to co-operative working in order to extend access to information to the community and this should be reflected in service plans
- There will be a responsibility to publicise Inspire, not only within the library, but to the wider community, facilitating opportunities to non-users and potential learners
- Promotion of partnership in Inspire and specialist library collections will be via the Inspire web site and regional portals
- All participating libraries need to provide assurance that appropriate briefing about Inspire will be given to all staff (including switchboard, security staff and shelving staff) to ensure that enquiries from users can be answered efficiently
- Selected staff, to include management, reception and enquiry desk staff and frontline staff, will receive in-depth training on the procedures of Inspire to manage referrals effectively
- Trained staff will ensure the Inspire list of library collections is promoted as an additional resource to benefit both library users and staff
- Trained staff should be prepared to cascade training to other staff in the organisation
- Information about Inspire will be included in recruitment induction and additional training on access arrangements
- Inspire will be monitored effectively to measure its impact. Qualitative data should be collected through written comment and verbal feedback and evaluated alongside the quantitative statistics to inform the development of the service
This set of criteria (in a slightly simplified form) was presented to attendees at Inspire events. There were no objections, but some mentioned that their existing access agreements currently offered more than 'reference access only'. It was explained that the criteria cover the minimum offer and that it was recognised that many access agreements allow more. Where this is the case, the 'kite mark' can be awarded and full details of access entered on the database on the Inspire web site. The 'kite mark' is endorsed by the British Library, SCL, SCONUL and MLA.
Why not add your organisation to the list of libraries that are involved with Inspire? The database will eventually be made available via the website so that users can look up and check access arrangements. Download the registration from the bottom of the screen.
For more information, contact:
Sally Curry, National Partnerships Manager
Inspire
c/o Robinson Library
University of Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4HQ
Tel: 0191 222 8655
Mobile: 07917 232720
Fax: 0191 222 6235
