DT/rkh

7th July 1994

Mr, R, Bowes
Aslib
The Association for Information Management
Information House
20-24 Old Street
London EC1V 9AP

Dear Mr. Bowes,

On behalf of NUS I enclose our submission to the ASLIB Review along with a copy of our Student Charter.

Yours sincerely,

Doug Taylor
General Manager

THE NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS

The National Union of Students (NUS) is a federation of over 800 student unions. This represents a membership of approximately 1.5 million further and higher education students within the U.K.

NUS exists to:

- represent UK students locally, nationally and internationally;

- promote the views of students within the education system;

- promote students interests in economic and social issues which have a direct

- effect on their status and welfare;

The Review of Public Library Services

NUS is pleased to respond to the Public Library Review currently being undertaken by ASLIB on behalf of the Department of National Heritage.

The changing nature and recent expansion of the student population means that public libraries will become an integral part of students beaming requirements. There are a number of reasons for this trend.

The expansion in student numbers across both further and higher education systems, has not been matched by corresponding funding increases.

Higher education institutions, who have traditionally aimed to provide for all of the library and information requirements of their students, are no longer able to do so. NUS welcomed the publication of the Joint Funding Council's Libraries Review Group in December 1993. This report has identified a number of significant challenges facing libraries within higher education institutions . The report recognised that existing provisions fail to meet the current needs of students, and perhaps more importantly, there has been a significant failure to plan for the future. This is an issue which has been of great concert to NUS for several years, and our views on this area are clearly outlined in NUS Student Charter, 1992. Most importantly, the publication of this report has highlighted the fundamental importance of library provision to students, and has placed this issue firmly upon the educational agenda.

Following the publication of the report's findings, there has been a commitment to increased funding for library provision within both the Funding Councils and institutions, which NUS welcomes. However, NUS believes it is very unlikely that this will be enough to enable institutions' libraries to adequately provide for all of the demands now being placed upon them.

The cross-over between further education library provision and public library provision has traditionally been greater. This seems likely to continue, with added pressures being placed upon further education in relation to funding cuts.

The marked increase in numbers of students entering further education , and the projected continual expansion within this area is of particular importance. Students within this sector tend to be far more reliant upon public library provision.

Library provision for students across both the further and higher educational systems is currently insufficient. This area has inevitably been affected by cuts in education funding as a whole, and despite the funding commitment outlined above, it seems likely that public libraries will increasingly be looked upon to fill this lack in provision.

Clearly, there are other changes in education that will impact upon public libraries. The changing nature of studying, and the diversification of those within the educational system, means that institutional libraries are unlikely to be able to provide for all requirements.

Increasing numbers of mature students, open and distance beaming students, part-time students, as well as students with dependants, are now present within all areas of the education system. The particular needs that some of these groups of students will have, especially related to distance from the institution at which they are studying, will mean public libraries are looked upon to service their needs. These less traditional forms of studying, by their nature meaning students are not located full time at their institution, are becoming an increasingly common method of beaming. The importance of public libraries in servicing these students, both in terms of resource material and study space, must be recognised and planned for.

The developments of partnerships between further and higher education institutions, whereby students study for a higher education qualification at a "franchised" further education college, may well impact upon public libraries. It is unlikely that the resources required will be available for these students in the libraries within further education colleges, and again public libraries may well be identified as a potential provider of these services.

The trends outlined above emphasise the need for consultation between public libraries and educational institutions, not only to ensure that current needs are being met, but to identify and plan for future changes.

Library Provision

NUS believes that at a minimum the current services provided as free 'core' services, as outlined in the existing Charging Regulations should be maintained. Where charges are permitted, we are concerned that they should be kept to a minimum. This is of particular relevance to students in relation to inter-library loans, access to all reference facilities, and the use of the research function carried out by library staff. Where charges do exist, NUS believes that they should not be differentiated, particularly in relation to geographical distance over which services are obtained.

Many public libraries are currently ill prepared to deal with the specific academic requirements of students, and it is vital that inter-library loans systems are modernised and made as effective as possible.

Similarly, the maintenance of an updated and efficient reference function, and the provision of adequate study space within libraries are also essential. It is essential that opening hours are as flexible as possible to allow wide access to library services.

Funding of Public Libraries

NUS is committed to the maintenance of a publicly funded public library service. Where libraries are required to generate additional income, it is vital that this does not impact upon the provision of core services. Similarly, it is important that the generation of income is not done in a way that effects those using these core services, for example, the introduction of prohibitively high fines for the late return of books.

Any partnerships entered into between public libraries and, for example, private businesses or educational establishments, should not impact upon current resources available to public libraries. NUS would welcome innovative projects aiming to increase and extend the services available from public libraries, but believe they must be used as a method of enhancing rather than replacing existing provision.

Whilst we would recommend co-operation with educational institutions, we would wish to emphasise that any agreements entered into should not detract from the services being provided by the institution.

Access

NUS has a strong commitment to increase access to education to groups who are traditionally under-represented. A very clear role can be identified for public libraries in attracting new students from informal learning into the educational system. NUS would encourage pro-active partnerships between colleges and libraries in informing local communities about educational opportunities available. Such partnerships may also play an important part in making colleges a more integrated part of the local community.

Consultation

NUS believes that in order to meet the needs of particular groups within the community, public libraries should consult with a representative cross section of that community.

This should, where possible, not be restricted to those currently using library facilities, to ensure that all needs can be taken into account.