Information in bits: approaches to digitised content

This article presents some of the work carried out as part of the READINESS project. The research project, undertaken by the EARL Consortium and funded by the Library and Information Commission (formerly BLRIC), investigated the needs and procedures for the development of networked subject services delivered by UK public libraries on a national scale: • content requirements, • technical delivery options, • management structures for collaborative development, • issues of implementation, • future funding of electronic services. The main findings from the research included the need to develop a policy for the creation of networked services and electronic content for the public library network, based on the recommendations of Building the New Library Network; also a framework for monitoring developments as the network is rolled out which would also provide a way of identifying issues and a means of sharing emerging expertise. The report recommended that a support network for the public library sector be built to support digital content creation and that this should draw on existing experience in all sectors and domains. The sustainability of services was identified as an area needing more work. Finally, the report highlighted the importance of collaboration and resource‐sharing as a fundamental element of networked service development and the successful management of change at all levels as pivotal to the success of public library networked services.