ABSTRACT
Links to the web sites and services featured in the case studies and throughout this book can be found on the supporting web site, https://www.webtipsandtricks.co.uk
EARL (Electronic Access to Resources in Libraries)
(https://www.earl.org.uk) The networking of public libraries-indeed, the creation of a people’s network of information access-is high on the agenda of the UK government. Since 1995, through the EARL Consortium for Public Library Networking, public libraries have been working collaboratively with strategic partners from government, universities, museums, archives and the private sector to promote the creation of networked, web-based services at the national level. Through its web site, EARL (Electronic Access to Resources in Libraries) has launched a series of demonstrator services that have developed into fully fledged national services. These include ‘Ask a Librarian’, which is an award-winning on-line enquiry service; ‘Familia’, a national database of family and local history information; and ‘Euroguide’, a subject gateway to web sites containing information on the European Union. Other key features are the information portal EARLweb, various discussion lists
and the EARL newsletter.
