eLib: The Electronic Libraries Programme

In 1993, an investigation into how to deal with the pressures on library resources, caused by the rapid expansion of student numbers and the world-wide explosion in academic knowledge and information, was undertaken by the Joint Funding Council's Libraries Review Group, chaired by Sir Brian Follett. This investigation resulted in the Follett Report. One of the key conclusions of this report was: 'The exploitation of IT is essential to create the effective library service of the future'. As a consequence, the Higher Education Funding Bodies in the UK invited proposals for projects which would 'transform the use and storage of knowledge in higher education institutions'. 15 million pounds was initially allocated to the Electronic Libraries Programme, managed by the Joint Information Systems Committee on behalf of the funding bodies. A series of waves of funding, proposals and projects has resulted in the eLib (capital L is correct) programme consisting of around 60 projects. Many of the projects are involved in, or tackle, overlapping or complementary themes; several of the projects and programme areas are also working closely with other digital/electronic library initiatives, some of these having a more international focus. The first wave of projects began work in the spring of 1995. Project durations differ, so as some projects end, others either begin in further eLib waves, or continue through continuation funding or sponsorship. The programme is not overtly a research programme; it's main remit is to provide a body of tangiable, electronic resources and services for UK Higher Education, and to affect a cultural shift towards the acceptance and use of said resources and services in place of more traditional information storage and access methods.