Clare County Library took a huge leap in 1994 when it introduced its ICT plans for the future. Within 18 months it went from a paper-based system to a fully-integrated library system using the oven-ready Web-compatible Talis system from BLCMP. ISDN was used to connect all full-time branch libraries, and this has recently been extended to all part-time branches, replacing the existing modem connections. The library catalogue can be accessed from all branches via a standard Web browser, on the library's Intranet. Side by side with this development, a comprehensive Website has been created, bringing information about the service and about the county - its famous places and people - to anyone with Internet access. To date, this has meant that library staff have developed and maintained two parallel "Websites", one on the Internet (hosted by Ireland On Line) and one on the Library's Intranet, held on its own server. While developing a Community Information Service, library staff have also been creating a third Website (using TalisInform, a searchable database). These various strands will come together towards the end of October next when the library's Information Age Town Project is launched. All Websites will be merged, and the Library Catalogue and Community Information Service will be available world-wide on the Web.
Clare County Library and the Ennis Information Age Town Project are planning to allow the public to bring the library home with them when they surf the net. In the comfort of their own home, users will be able to search the library catalogue, check to see what books they have on loan, renew them and place reservations. They will also be able to search a wide ranging Community Information database featuring clubs, societies and organisations in Clare; local facilities; education and training, etc. This service will greatly enhance the existing award-winning library website, which contains a host of information on Clare, its people, places and history. The Department of the Environment and Local Government are looking keenly at this project with a view to shaping the future of technology in public libraries in Ireland. The Department, in fact, has contributed substantial funding towards the project.
Clare County Library will shortly offer free access to the Internet in each and every one of its fifteen branch libraries in response to the Department of the Environment and Local Government's initiative on public access to the Internet via the network of public library branches throughout the country. A total of 54 PC's will be made available throughout the county, in addition to the existing Online Catalogue PC's. The library intends to capitalise on major investments it has made in establishing its Wide Area Network of ISDN linked branch libraries. In the de Valera branch library in Ennis, an ADSL connection to the Internet will allow for high-speed access for a dozen users, and PC Applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, etc.) will also be offered in a user-friendly and neutral environment.
The investment in ICT training undertaken by the library over the past four years will now directly benefit the general public. Twelve members of the library staff are at present completing the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification. An Executive Librarian is near to completion of the Institute of Public Administration's Higher Diploma in Computer Studies. A Library Assistant is due to begin this course shortly. Three members of the library staff are familiar with HTML and Website management, while the existing library professionals' expertise in collection development, cataloguing and classification, and information retrieval will now be brought to bear on the vast resources available and the information-seeker.
Clare Local Studies Project is housed in Library Headquarters. Here, graduates are instructed side-by-side with early school-leavers in a wide range of IT skills, including City and Guilds Certification. Sixty young people have been placed in full-time employment over the last four years as a result of this instruction and training. The experience gained on this project places the senior librarians in an ideal position to arrange for the instruction of the public in developing their IT skills. In going from its old paper and card-based library system, Clare County Library educated and trained all its staff in the basics of PC's, and in the intricacies of the new automated system. It was a source of constant wonder how quickly people adapted (and flourished), regardless of previous experience with computers. We expect a similar success story when the Internet is offered to the public on a country-wide scale. Experience of the two current Internet sites (Kilkee and Shannon) bear ample testimony of this.
For further information, contact Noel Crowley, County Librarian, Clare County Library HQ, Mill Road, Ennis. Telephone (065) 6821616.