High Life Highland’s library and information service operates through a network of joint and separate school, community, mobile libraries and online services on behalf of the Highland Council. The provision of library and information services to schools is an integral part of the Highland Council’s statutory responsibility as an Education Authority. The provision of library and information services to the community is a statutory duty of Highland Council.
The purpose of the High Life Highland’s library and information service is to provide, deliver, promote and enable the use of high quality library and information services to meet the educational, information, cultural and recreational needs of all who live, work or study in the Highlands.
High Life Highland’s library and information service places special emphasis on agreeing and providing for the library and information needs of each local community and on providing appropriate services for particular groups within them (such as schools) while at the same time providing access to wider resources through Highland, national and international networks.
The following key activities have been identified working within the Highland Council’s best value framework in support of the programme for administration, corporate and service goals and to help deliver the service key improvement themes.
1. Partnership
High Life Highland’s library and information service will seek to work in partnership with other High Life Highland services, Highland Council services and other external agencies and organisations to deliver and enhance the range and quality of library and information services for individuals and groups in the Highlands.
2. Library and information resources
High Life Highland’s library and information service will provide access to a range of resources both printed and electronic which reflect the needs, languages and interests of individuals and communities in the Highland area. High Life Highland’s library and information service will ensure that within the limits of its acquisition budget resources are selected and managed without prejudice of content or format, and is maintained in reasonable physical condition.
3. Information and literacy skills
High Life Highland’s library and information service will actively support the development of individuals’ information skills through partnerships and the provision of resources and facilities. High Life Highland’s library and information service will actively support the development of reading and numeracy through partnerships and the provision of resources and facilities.
4. Education
High Life Highland’s library and information service will support and encourage the inclusive and active participation of individuals and groups in lifelong learning (both in formal education and independent learning) through partnerships and the provision of resources and facilities.
5. Culture
High Life Highland’s library and information service will assist and promote cultural development in the communities of the Highlands acting as a focal point for cultural activities and information about them.
High Life Highland’s library and information service has a major repository for the history of the life, language and culture of the Highlands will actively promote access to such material whilst balancing the needs of its preservation as a unique record of the area.
High Life Highland’s library and information service will actively collect and promote resources in Gaelic to meet the needs of learners and speakers at all levels.
6. Health and well-being
High Life Highland’s library and information service will actively support the health and well-being of communities and individuals through the provision of resources, information and facilities and through its activities and partnerships.
7. Recreation
High Life Highland’s library and information service will recognise through its resources and activities that reading is a major form of recreation.
High Life Highland’s library and information service will actively support readers in their development through the provision of resources, information and facilities and through its activities and partnerships.
8. Access
High Life Highland’s library and information service will ensure access for all to library and information resources. This may be through physical access to libraries at times that meet the needs of local communities, through the provision of access to electronic resources and remote services or through the extension of service beyond library buildings by mobile libraries and other appropriate means.
9. Economic well-being
High Life Highland’s library and information service will play a major role in the economic well-being of the Highlands by providing information and access to resources for individuals and groups involved in business, commerce, tourism and industry and through its promotion and support of learning opportunities.
10. Networking
High Life Highland’s library and information service will support the local delivery of library and information services through appropriate levels of network-wide support including advice and guidance, the acquisition and circulation of resources and the provision of support systems.
11. Staff
High Life Highland’s library and information service will recruit appropriately qualified staff and support them through training and development to enable individuals and groups to satisfy their library and information needs.
12. Appropriate technologies
High Life Highland’s library and information service will ensure that the use of appropriate technology will underpin the delivery of all its services. High Life Highland’s library and information service recognises the importance of new technologies and aims to be at the forefront of their use in the delivery of effective and efficient library and information services.
