This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Twin success for Dumfries and Galloway
17/12/2001
Twin achievements for Dumfries and Galloway were
announced today - the granting of Charter Mark status for
the Council's Libraries, Information and Archives Services
and the launch of the People's Network.
The Charter Mark, established in 1992, is the UK
Government's award scheme for recognising and encouraging
excellence in public services. The People's Network aims to
link all public libraries to the Internet and to the
National Grid for Learning by 2002.
Unveiling the Charter Mark award at Ewart Library,
Dumfries, Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services
Peter Peacock said:
"The Charter Mark focuses on improving services and
giving value for money to the customer. So reaching the
Charter Mark standard demonstrates that Dumfries and
Galloway Council has put its users first and is going that
extra mile to deliver a first class service.
"It is not an easy target to meet and there are 10
different standards to be attained, including, for example,
making services equally available to every member of the
public and making it easier to seek redress if standards
fall short.
Mr Peacock then launched the Public Library Network -
more commonly known as the People's Network. He said:
"Nowadays we all recognise that public libraries have
always had a vital role to play in the community, for 150
years and more. They are more than just repositories of
books and reference material - they are at the heart of our
communities and they encourage people to read, met up with
friends and catch up with the local news.
"The People's Network could not have been established
here in the Ewart Library, however, without money from the
New Opportunities Fund. This Fund is providing public
library staff training, the equipment and infrastructure
required to operate the network and supporting the
digitisation of educational and learning material.
"I must also pay tribute to the Scottish Library and
Information Council (SLIC) - for its efforts in supporting
the Executive and the public library sector to get to grips
with the People's Network."