Funding for the training of teachers and librarians will be through the lottery. It is anticipated that much of the training will eventually be over the Grid itself. The Paper is not specific about arrangements for librarian training. Access Libraries can facilitate the Grid's objective to enhance equality of access for learners. They are ideally placed to offer access within an education, work or social context, regardless of the location, employment status and language of the learner.
Librarians already use IT extensively in their administrative and managerial responsibilities.
The range of IT-based functions will continue to extend, particularly given the quality of the collaborative networks supporting these functions that have already been established. It is to be anticipated that libraries, local and national government will develop access facilities to enhance communication. The LIC welcomes the recognition that to be successful and sustainable, the Grid must be more than a managed network service. It should be the framework for equipping, local networking and external connection of various points of life-long learning provision. It should ensure the interconnectivity of networks and the effective use of existing IT resources.