Press Information: 11/11/1996

Lead Press Release

IS THIS THE END OF THE INFORMATION UNDERCLASS?

- New Millennium bid aims to give everyone free access to information on the Internet -

A new Millennium bid to connect everyone in the UK to the Information Superhighway, made today (11 November 1996) by the Information for All campaign, could herald the end of the emerging information underclass. If the bid is successful, everyone in the UK, of all ages and from all walks of life, will have free access to information on the Internet through their local public library, for the first time ever.

Recent research studies* found that a clear divide is emerging in the UK between the information "haves" and "have nots" - a divide driven by access to computers and the Information Superhighway, creating what has been termed an "information underclass". This is leaving many people at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to jobs, education and other opportunities.

Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey, Chairman of Information for All, says: "It's the sheer potential of the bid that's so exciting - everybody, whoever they are and wherever they live in the UK, could benefit. At the moment, only a privileged minority have access to computers, with even fewer linked to the Internet and other on-line information services."

Information for All aims to give all citizens in the UK access to a wide range of public and commercial information delivered electronically through high speed communications networks. This network would connect even the smallest and most remote library to the Information Superhighway, giving everyone an equal chance to be part of a society increasingly reliant on electronic information.

The project would mean that everyone could access the world of publicly available information at international, national and local levels, directly supporting:

education: lifelong learning through access to learning resources

business: marketing and business information for the business community

job seekers: careers and job seeking

culture: heritage, tourism, the arts, entertainment and leisure

skills: development and support of vocational and professional skills

communities: putting isolated communities in contact with the rest of the country

new media: development of electronic publishing.

"Today, there is a world of information which can't be found in books alone," says Sir Charles. "To ensure we have a healthy, competitive society for the next century, everyone should have access to information carried electronically. But it is unrealistic to expect that everyone will have access through their homes or workplace. Connecting everyone up through their local library is surely the most effective way possible for our society to bridge the gap between the information "haves" and "have nots."

Making libraries the connection point for electronic information will ensure that a balance is maintained between traditional printed information and information in the new media. Libraries are also an ideal place for everyone in the community to get to grips with new technology. They offer unrestricted access and a democratic, welcoming environment in which people can experiment and learn with the support and supervision of trained staff.

As part of the bid, library users and others are being encouraged to write to their local MPs and Councillors to give their support for the concept of Internet access for all. Over 100 MPs from across the country have already sent letters of support to Information for All. Members of the public wishing to participate in the campaign should visit their local library for more information.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Library Association and the Library and Information Commission established Information for All, a non-profit making company, to make the bid for up to £50 million of Lottery funds. The bid will be submitted to the Millennium Commission on 11 November, 1996.

If successful, the project will begin in the 1997/8 financial year. The project will be implemented on a rolling programme, linking where possible with the renewal cycles of library authorities' own internal networks.

Millennium funding will support the provision of:

• free public access to at least one Internet terminal in every library, using flexible broadband technology to enable the exploitation of a wide range of resources, including sound and multimedia interactive learning packages
  
  
• network links which, once established, will be used to maximise co-operation and resource sharing across library authorities, and with libraries in other sectors such as academic and industrial. This will provide access to each other's catalogues of resources and to digitised versions of local materials and special collections
  
  
• resources at all networked libraries for projects on lifelong learning, business intelligence, community maps, the national imagination and memory, public knowledge, empowering the citizen and skilling the workforce.
  
  
• Research studies referenced are: the futura.com study by The Institute of Communications Studies at the University of Leeds, and The Motorola Report 1996.

Information for All Web site: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/informall/

For further information, please contact:

OR

News & Background Information

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For questions or comments, please contact informall@la-hq.org.uk
URL:http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/informall/bid/press-releases/backfact.html
Last revised 31st October 1996

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