The document summarizes the work of SLIC (Scottish Library and Information Council) in supporting further education (FE) libraries in Scotland. It discusses SLIC's annual FE library survey which benchmarks resources, technology, and staffing. The survey found that most colleges cite JISC ebooks as their most used online resource and are making good use of technology like QR codes. It also notes future challenges for FE libraries like reduced budgets, restructured services, and changing user expectations. SLIC helps FE libraries respond by promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and digital initiatives to support quality library services across Scotland.

1. Learner Landscapes:
future for FE libraries
SLIC Annual Survey
2011
Elaine Fulton
Director
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

2. Operating Plan for 2010/11
• Advocacy to stakeholders and with others
• Quality and impact
• Participation and communication
• Collaboration, co-ordination and shared services
• Skills for Scotland and lifelong learning
• leading the digital agenda
• transformational change for sustainable future
• succession planning, including skills
development, staff shortages
• developing member support, services and
products.
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

3. Working with library services
• Libraries Supporting
individuals and communities -
advocacy
• Scottish Library Excellence
Awards
• National Shared Programmes
– Procurement, Public
Libraries, SHEDL
– Services - Ask Scotland, Open
Source
– Promotions
• Innovation and Development
• Workforce Development
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

4. Responding and Advising
• Government
– Information and Evidence Base
– Responding to requests for information
• Working with partners
– ALMA-UK (PRS, ROI toolkit)
– SPL Reading Stars
– Scotland Excel
– JISC RSCs (FE Survey)
– SCURL, LIBNET, Heads of Public Libraries
– CILIPS
• Members
– Structural change
– PLQIM
– School Services
– Information and Digital Literacy
– Digital Access Scotland
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

5. SLIC FE Survey
• 3 key areas provides bench marks fcolleages to map their own
provision
– Resources and Services
– Technology
– Staffing and Training
• More Services offering Saturday opening
• Almost all colleges cite JISC ebooks collection as most used
online resources
• Good use is being made in the development and use of
technology, particularly QR codes to access resources and
services
• Although most library/learning managers are qualified, few with
no professional staff
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

6. Looking to the future
• Reduced budgets
• Restructured services
• Shared Services
• Government policy
• User expectations
• Innovation
Consultation Workshop
– 7th Dec 2011
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886

7. SLIC helps FE libraries respond and
deliver
• Improved library and information • Demonstrate the value of co-
provision in our ordination, collaboration and Co-
schools, communities, universities operation
and colleges • Provide a focus for knowledge
sharing and the development of user
• Promote and Contribute to Improved centred services; Co-operate and
standards of literacy and digital skills collaborate with other relevant UK
in Scotland agencies where appropriate.
• Build an evidence base to inform • Promote co-operation and
collaboration across all sectors of the
policy and support decision-making. library and information community
• Improve services through joint and and related organisations to
cross sectoral initiatives encourage co-ordinated service
development
• Support digital initiatives, promoting • High quality flexible workforce
the role of library and information • Develop positive and productive
services in all sectors relationships with emerging
information professions and related
disciplines
SLIC: Company Limited by Guarantee/
Registered in Scotland No.129889/Scottish
Charity No.SC17886