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In confidence
Library and information services 11.3 The organization is currently implementing the strategy, agreed in 1988/89, to improve information provision overseas, reduce its costs and integrate it more closely with library services. Impact will be measured by monitoring the extent to which Representatives' targets use British resources as a result of information provided by the Council. At headquarters, the integration of information, book promotion and libraries services will be examined in the context of improving co-ordinated support to overseas offices.
11.4 Bibliographical services at headquarters will be strengthened to improve facilities available to Representatives. This will enable the selection of material for Council libraries to be better focused on target groups.
11.5 Operational targets for library work set in CP2 remain (see annex A). As targeting of services is introduced in libraries overseas, total membership will fall, improvements in specialist services, stock and facilities will require increased expenditure, and the unit cost per library member will rise. Once targeting takes effect, total membership is expected to return to its original level with a higher proportion of members from target groups. This pattern is apparent in India, for example, where targeting is now in a mature phase (see figure 14).
11.6 To ensure that library services remain cost effective, the Council will continue to evaluate and monitor performance through market and user surveys and stock and user analysis.
Book promotion
11.7 Plans outlined in CP2 for reducing current headquarters resources given to book promotion work will be implemented. During 1990/91, Representatives will be asked, in consultation with specialist staff at headquarters, to redefine country book promotion programmes in order to relate book trade needs to country objectives.
Agency work
11.8 The Books Presentation Programme is expected to be discontinued as a scheme and replaced by a more comprehensive policy in relation to book aid. The Council will therefore provide ODA with a statement of costed services relevant to this approach, and aim to secure its work in this field.
Staff development
11.9 In planning for the most beneficial deployment of an increasingly scarce resource, work has begun with Personnel Division towards a new policy for staffing libraries, books and information work overseas. The proposed approach will concentrate on training staff, mostly non-specialist, to manage this area of activity with the day-to-day work being done by
pr dr
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P
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1
Library membership and costs in India
1980/81 to 1989/90
100
90
70
28
80
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1980/81
1981/82
1982/83
1983/84
Total members (thousands)
1984/85
Target members (thousands)
Unit cost (£)
1985/86
1986/87
1987/88
1988/89
1989/90
Figure 14
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