Branching Out: Future Directions recommends that:
in line with the life cycle approach identified in Towards 2016 … the role of the public library service in lifelong learning be expanded and that library authorities seek to have that role recognised by education providers and other agencies. (4.3.2.)
In response to this recommendation An Chomhairle began discussions with FÁS about a collaborative project focused on eCollege.
FÁS’s eCollege, provides interactive online learning courses aimed at people who wish to study at their own pace.
The services include a wide range of interactive courseware which is available 24/7, most of which has industry certification.
Following an initial project which FÁS developed with Cork City Libraries, FÁS and An Chomhairle developed a proposal to offer eCollege courses through the public library network.
The project takes a collaborative approach, whereby:
- FÁS eCollege courses are offered to library users at no cost to them.
- The library facilitates learners accessing the courses using the Internet PCs.
- The local FÁS training centre assigns a facilitator to support learners and staff in each library.
Following briefing meetings with a number of library authorities, the FÁS eCollege pilot project was launched in Watch House Cross library, Limerick City, in April 2008.
FÁS subsequently offered the scheme in the following libraries by the end of the year:
- Watch House Cross (Limerick City Libraries)
- Ballybane (Galway County Libraries)
- Lady Lane (Waterford City Libraries)
- Blanchardstown (Fingal County Libraries)
- Shannon (Clare County Libraries)
- Tallaght (South Dubliun County Libraries)
The service will be offered in Navan (Meath County Libraries), and Loughboy (Kilkenny County Libraries) in January 2009.
Towards the end of the year, and following postive feedback from the participating libraries, discussions about the extension of the project to all library authorities during 2009 got underway.