Running a business information service for a rural community from a public library

Abstract

The results of a case study of business information provision within Norfolk Library and Information Service (NLIS), UK is reported, with particular reference to the relationship between the Library system and the BusinessLink Norfolk Information Service. Particular attention is paid to the challenges faced by NLIS, in common with other UK public libraries, resulting from the competition between the resources needed for business information provision and those needed for other priority areas. The impact of the growthof a free Internet service and the electronic availability of publications on the provision of business information is assessed. A number of the issues that were found to be relevant to rural business information provision were also identified as being equally relevant library and information services in many other parts of the UK. A major area highlighted was the use or lack of use of information and communications technologies (ICT) by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Many SMEs are failing to make adequate use of the Internet-based information being made widely available by UK Government departments and other organizations. Librarians and information professionals have developed profound skills in the use of electronic resourcesand CMEs must be made aware of the potentially rich resources that are currently being under-utilized. It is concluded that the SMEs need help in accessing the support agencies and programmes that will enable them to develop and this is one area where the partnership between business information users and public library systems, such as NLIS, can pay dividends.