It is based on edited and merged versions of papers and slides supplied by the speakers. The project involved the installation of PCs with a wide range of facilities for public use into a branch library. This paper describes the aims of the project, the implications for the public library service, and community involvement and awareness. It is the second largest library in the borough, serving a community of about 24,000 with a collection of some 60,000 items. It contains facilities for members of the public to book and pay for the use of one of six PCs to access a range of facilities.
Customers can use training packages to learn how to use software packages at their own pace.
The research nature is illustrated by the fact that the service was originally free when opened in August 1994. Charges were introduced in October 1995, to test ways of sustaining the project, and are likely to stay. The project has been an opportunity to provide public library managers with a well-tested model which can be adapted to their own services. The library s role has been to support the project and ensure it complements the library service offered to the community. The advantages of having such a facility within a branch library have been enormous.