Our library networks are webs of expertise, knowledge, goodwill and friendships and we need to keep all those good things for they are effective ways of working we can take forward into and build on in the new regions. While there are many good things about change these current ones are profound and bring uncertainties which need to be tackled together. Continuity This is a key principle which cannot be overstated. Services to users currently depend on collaborative networks underpinned by collaborative services which enable information, documents and other resources to flow quickly and efficiently within the system. These services will remain in place and continue to function for at least the first year to ensure that there is no disruption to the current effective delivery of services.
National policy is committed to ensuring that services are patient centred and user focussed.
This means working seamlessly across boundaries, minimising duplication and using and sharing best practice. There are of course complexities to be overcome as regions have different cultures and histories but as many will know there are already pan regional initiatives which offer new potential for working together. One very major piece of current work is exploring the joint procurement of a core set of databases and e- journals across the London and South East Regions. The principles of collaborative working require extensive consultation and communication. This leads to new learning and understanding from which develop new ideas and incorporation of best practice from all existing services.