Read and decide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Read and decide - Essay Example Nevertheless, over 60 percent of UK residents are registered members of assorted libraries including local public or private libraries, educational institutions, and prisons in addition to enrolling online within their homesteads (EMAC, 2003). The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) (2004) has underlined three major objectives including encouraging a reading culture and casual scholarship; access to ICT skills and facilities including government systems; and dealing with the socially neglected groups to integrate them into mainstream communal structures. Although reading is predominantly a private individual affair savouring varied verbal prose, it subsequently induces persons to seek sharing this pleasurable experience with others including friends, workmates or online friends, thus has enabled libraries that offer online access expanded reach as their clients or groups share the fantastic experience. Municipal authorities have been charged with the responsibility of operating and improving public libraries in the UK under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. There were 4,759 permanent public libraries and 693 mobile units, in addition to 19,136 service areas stationed in diverse locations like health centres and jails all over Britain by 1997. These public libraries have served as a learning forum for communities with many people preferring them for obtaining information and study to universities hence the adage ‘universities in the streets’ (Bennett, 2001). To enhance ICT skills among the library patrons, most public libraries have established Open Learning Centres that engage staff who are able to impart knowledge to the unskilled patrons. Nonetheless, the Library Association has called for a formal standardised scheme to ensure the correct and appropriate skills are taught. This would