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Cross-Sectoral Partnership in Action: The Ayrshire Libraries Forum. Stuart James Chairman, Ayrshire Libraries Forum ELISA Open Day Edinburgh 3 May 2005. What is ALF?. A cross-sectoral partnership of library and information services within a defined geographical area, founded 1998
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Cross-Sectoral Partnership in Action: The Ayrshire Libraries Forum Stuart James Chairman, Ayrshire Libraries Forum ELISA Open Day Edinburgh 3 May 2005
What is ALF? • A cross-sectoral partnership of library and information services within a defined geographical area, founded 1998 • Ayrshire County retains a strong identity, although ‘reorganised’ into three local authorities • Emphasis on public sector partnerships for enhanced service provision • Lifelong learning, social inclusion across whole population of Ayrshire
Who is ALF? • Three public libraries • Two HE libraries • Three FE colleges • Three hospital libraries and NHS Ayrshire & Arran Library and Knowledge Services • School libraries • National Library of Scotland • Ayrshire Archives
What does ALF do? • Ayrshire LIP • Joint training • Loan support service from University of Paisley • Joint digitisation projects • Joint service overviews (e.g. DDA provision, library profiles) • Monthly meetings, regular exchange of experience • RSS Project
What benefits does ALF bring? • Enhanced services through collaboration • Projects and services collaboratively we might not be able to do as well – or at all – individually • Demonstrate how we address political agendas and Executive priorities through collaboration • Bring a range of services together as appropriate for particular requirements • Mutual support
What obstacles has ALF met? • Different funding streams: problem of getting cross-sectoral funds • Changing internal politics • A small county with limited resources: creating a critical mass • Getting our message across through the media • Plethora of agencies on our periphery – variable responses to our involvement
Where is ALF going now? • Have demonstrated possibilities of collaboration • Convincing political masters without diminishing local resource input • Develop a marketing plan • RSS project: implications crucial whatever technical and service outcomes • Await outcomes of Cultural Commission • But continue to develop joint service provision on local basis
Where is ALF in the wider picture? • One of several local collaborative organisations • CoSMIC – development plan • Relation with other domains • SLIC – forward plan • NLS – strategic plan • Sectoral bodies (SCURL, Heads of Service, SHINE etc.) • Formal and informal involvement