This is a very timely research report and directory of projects on a particularly relevant and topical subject. Much has been both said and done in recent years on research and special collections in university libraries in the UK, but the riches of the collections and numerous initiatives in local authority archives and libraries also need to be taken into account and set alongside all the other manifestations of our “heritage” of which they are as much a fundamental part as the more visible manifestations in historic buildings and monuments, museums or major national research libraries.
The report has two major sections: a research report with recommendations, and a directory of projects and bibliography. The report itself begins with clear aims and objectives and covers its field both comprehensively and concisely: parallel practice, copyright, standards, selection of materials and funding are all dealt with, leading to recommendations which follow naturally out of points in the report, although whether a digitisation centre is needed specifically for public libraries must be open to question: expertise exists elsewhere and an existing body could surely be adapted (and suitably funded) to fulfil the role, rather than create another resource and risk disippating limited expertise. Otherwise, the recommendations relating to cataloguing, funding, selection, newspapers, reciprocal access and copyright are all well based in practice and common sense.
The directory of 103 projects shows how much is actually being done already (or is planned) under local initiatives. This is a useful database which will serve to illuminate and inform further developments. The entries themselves comprise not only basic directory and access information, but also fuller details of purpose, status, partners, funding, materials, systems, hardware and other notes; one of the entries illuminates the professional activities of one of our own reviewers. A 15‐page annotated bibliography also seems very complete and further illustrates progress to date. A useful sign of our times is a separate two‐page list of URLs for digitisation projects.
It is heartening to see how much is already being done in this field in the public sector, and useful to have a framework for further development. This is a very useful report and information resource giving a snapshot of the situation at a particular time and indicating a practical policy for future work within a clearly defined and documented context. Now we just look forward to all the practical outcomes appearing on our screens.
