Varsity is opening its books

Mar 26 2003 By Owen Hughes, Bangor And Anglesey Mail

BANGOR University's 300,000 book titles are now available to the community after the launch of a pioneering new loan scheme.

Under a unique agreement with the Gwynedd library services, the university's book collection will be open to library users in Gwynedd, Conwy and Ynys MÙn.

Launched last week under Linc y Gogledd, it is the first time a UK university has opened its library stock up to the public.

Nigel Soane, head of Libraries at the university, said: "Far from being an ivory tower,theuniversityis keen to make its facilities and resources accessible to readers in the community.

"Linc y Gogledd demonstrates the university's clear commitment to supporting the National Assembly's 'Learning Country' agenda for lifelong-based learners."

Under the scheme anyone using the area's 40 libraries can check the university's book catalogue on-line and request a book, which will then be sent to their local library.

Rona Aldrich, county librarian at Conwy County Borough Council, said: "The beauty of this scheme is that it makes the best use of systems already in place to enable our borrowers to view the university catalogue on-line and request a book that is available in the university's stock using the inter-library loan system that we already have in place."

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, who attended the launch, added: "I am so pleased that the University of Wales Bangor is developing sustainable good practice and is again leading the way in facilitating lifelong learning in the region."