Vital Link pilot phase, 2001-2

Summary of pilot programme The partners involved Overall objectives of the pilot initiative Local project objectives (and summary of final outcomes)  Evaluating the initiative

Final report - October 2002 What was done How the Vital Link met the aims of the programme Problems encountered & lessons learnt Successes Sustainability

Summary of pilot phase of the Vital Link

The pilot phase linked nine library authorities in four different regions with basic adult education providers so that together they could test new ways of reaching out to adult learners as well as embedding and developing good practice where it exists.  Evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme was built in from the start. The lessons learnt have been disseminated to the library service and basic skills sector through a toolkit, Making the Vital Link, supported by a reading promotion and a training programme to spread best practice. For further information see www.readingagency.org.uk

The programme worked in partnership with nine library authorities in four English library regions (listed below) supported by a steering group involving the Basic Skills Agency, the DfES Basic Skills Unit,  Re:source and the Library Association. Books for Students helped match fund the bid and was involved in the development of resources. The initiative was evaluated by the University of Sheffield via a research partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Information Studies. The project coordinators were David Kendall (reader development) and David Smales (basic skills).

Vital Link - library partners

East of England

• Bedfordshire Libraries
• Essex Libraries
• Norfolk Libraries

• London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
• London Borough of Sutton 
• London Borough of Wandsworth 

• Knowsley Libraries

• North Yorkshire Libraries 
• Doncaster Libraries

• To develop a major partnership programme harnessing libraries' energetic reader development work to support adults trying to improve their literacy skills.
• To inspire, support and motivate emergent adult readers and recruit new "hard to reach" learners.
• To establish effective links between the library service and the adult basic education sector. 
• To identify, evaluate and articulate the unique contribution libraries' reader development work can make to the Government's plans to improve adult basic literacy skills.
• To research, implement and disseminate replicable local models at regional and national level.
• To provide a range of support strategies and materials collections during and following the programme.