Midlands Pal: Planning and

concept

Where did this come from

COLICO established the programme in consultation with all sectors and following on from the conference held  in 2006 entitled:

“Pathways to learning: exploring the potential for cross-sectoral library service provision.”  

UK INSPIRE

A Contribution to the Inspire in Ireland Conversation 8th Nov 2006

Ann Cleary, Librarian, Institute of Technology, Dundalk

HSLG Action PlanHSLG Action Plan 2010 – 2015Goal 3: To collaborate & share resourcesSet up PAL Initiative for Health Libraries in

IrelandInvestigate similar existing schemes. Create policy & procedure for new scheme.Set up scheme with Reader Cards,

Directory of member libraries and conditions of use & promotional literature including website.

Pathways to Learning Programme (PAL)

The Pathways to Learning Programme (PAL) supports the development of wider access to libraries and archives collections throughout the island of Ireland. COLICO established the programme in consultation with all sectors and following on from the conference held  in 2006  Pathways to learning: exploring the potential for cross-sectoral library service provision.Two pilot schemes under the Pathways to Learning programme were developed, one on a regional basis in Cork (Cork PAL), and the other on a thematic basis, focussing on music (Music PAL) commenced in late Summer 2009, and were formally launched on 8th March 2010 during Library Ireland Week.

Pathways to Learning

L to R: Senator Mark Deary, Deirdre Purcell, Robin Adams, Norma

McDermott, Roy Stanley at the Music PAL Launch

What is PAL• Cork Pal in an interlibrary access and (potentially) lending

scheme between public, HSE and Educational Libraries in Cork

• At present it is reading access only• Each library has a PAL coordinator• The Project has a PAL team which meets biannually and

oversees workings of the scheme and also liaises with COLICO, and the Library Council

• Staff at a participating library explain the scheme to a user and which collection and library might be of benefit

• User if interested fills out form and receives a PAL card• Library advises as to access policy for receiving library • User visits receiving library and presents PAL card• User is asked to fill out a PAL statistic form• User consults collection

How does it work?

PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

CORK PAL

How does it work

Cork Pal operates as a referral scheme. If a user might benefit a member of library staff explains the scheme and provides an explanatory leaflet prior to completion of the application form

Retains application form and returns details to user

Enters the users details on the PAL card and appropriate expiratory date

Issues the card

Identifies the library which can assist the user

Provides information on access levels and directions, openings hours and contact information.

Makes the user aware of specific referral requirements

So what did it involve?

So what did it involve?

So what did it involve?Lots and Lots of

So what did it involve?

So what did it involve?And even some!

So what did it involve?

And of course !

And

Results of first AIT meetingThe main finding for our exploratory

Midlands Pal meeting was that all attendees expressed interest in participating in such a scheme and it was felt that it would be a good initiative and that it would be doable in terms of the commitment and support required of participating libraries

Submission to PALLIT & COLICO was drawn up

AIT meeting in December 2011

Main Points Printing materials estimated at approx. €1,000. It will be possible to

use the template already in use for the other PAL schemes, Cork PAL and Music PAL.  

Costs for set up estimated at approximately €150 per library authority Level of projected staff commitment, based on the Cork experience,

was felt to be sustainable Web hosting will be on current Cork PAL site but there is a necessity for

a web administrator for the proposed scheme It was felt that the overall name of the current PAL website (Cork Pal)

would need to be changed Mechanism for making and receiving referrals under Cork PAL outlined It was felt that HSE and AIT libraries would add value to existing local

authority collections It was agreed by all that this would be a positive development to

facilitate social inclusion and lifelong learning in the Midlands and Midwest area.

Proposal Each participating institution has agreed to designate a PAL

coordinator These PAL coordinators will meet following approval of this scheme to

set up a local PAL organising committee and appoint a chairperson etc.

◦ This regional PAL committee will organise the detailed setup of the proposed scheme, local levels of access, card design, promotion etc. 

◦ This regional PAL committee will organise a training day for participating staff from all libraries 

◦ This regional PAL committee will also organise a launch for this new regional PAL scheme when preparations are completed. 

◦ This regional PAL committee to meet as necessary (envisaged approx. 1 - 2 meeting per year) to enable on-going operation, training, monitoring, support and development for the proposed Pal scheme.  

◦ This regional PAL committee to liaise with COLICO, Cork PAL and Irish Management Services Board to support and develop our Regional scheme in line with national structures

ProposalThere is then proposed participation by five local

library authorities (consisting of 39 branch libraries), also by the Midlands HSE libraries (consisting of 3 branch libraries) and by Athlone Institute of Technology (consisting of 2 libraries).

There will be therefore an overall number of 43 physical libraries for this new proposed PAL cooperative scheme.

Librarians of all seven library authorities have now declared their commitment to this proposed scheme and in many cases have already designated a library authority representative.

Outcome and futureInformally notified of positive

feedbackThe Cork PAL Chair and Library council

Director would be available to meet with the group to discuss the roll-out of the scheme in February.

Lessons and thoughtsVital importance of support, guidance and

coordination from Library Council / Irish Management Services Board and Domitilla Fagan

Importance of communicationDifficulties to contact some participantsFace to face meeting necessaryImportance of ‘Peer’ example; i.e. Librarians

knowing other librarians are interested!Continuous feedback makes all potential

participants feel included.If in doubt keep emailing / phoning / and ing

Start a libraries cooperative movement!!

Feedback on progress throughout.

This will empower and support other Health libraries

Please consider initiating such a scheme in your locality