2000 Reader development online

Creating The People's Network was a huge success for libraries and for the government.   £200 million was invested in infrastructure, £20 million in library staff training and £50 million in content creation.  The result is free access to the internet through public libraries everywhere in the UK.

One of the sites supported by the content creation programme is the groundbreaking www.whichbook.net.  A prototype version called Forager was developed through Branching Out and went live in May 2000.  The full version went live in October 2002.  Whichbook is a unique site which uses sophisticated software and intuitive design to enable readers to choose books by mixing the elements they want in a read rather than starting from an author, title or genre.  It is also the first national online gateway to borrowing through the UK library service.  Click on Borrow next to any title and you can link to every library service to check if they have it.

Many librarians were keen to develop the potential of online services but were frustrated by technical problems within the wider council environment and by not having time allocated to online work.  Until library staff could have greater access to controlling content, it was unlikely that many council websites will develop beyond the purely informational role.  Essex Libraries was one of the few to create the chance to do it their own way.  With the help of funding from the DCMS Reader Development Programme Essex developed the Ask Chris site for readers.   Opening the Book modelled reader sites for specific audiences working with groups of library authorities, www.4ureaders.net with Scottish authorities and www.whatareyouuptotonight.com with East Midlands authorities.

Many libraries were excited by the possibility of offering services free online 24/7.  Reader development pioneered some of this work, both with exciting sites for readers and with comprehensive staff support available online.