Partnership Promotes Educational Excellence Through Libraries

Residents are enjoying instant communications around the globe thanks to an innovative technology partnership between the local authority and Direct Visual.

A county council has joined forces with Direct Visual to install state-of-the-art videoconferencing systems in 16 libraries.

A County Council spokesman explains: "The exciting thing about videoconferencing is that the potential opportunities for expanding knowledge and learning through first class virtual communications are endless. You can 'talk' to someone just a couple of miles away or on a different continent. People can walk into their local library and use the systems free of charge to link-up wherever they want through a network of dedicated ISDN lines.

"The systems are also available to businesses to hold meetings with colleagues at remote locations.

"We're currently offering training in the use of the videoconferencing kit to County Council staff who will then be able to help the public to gain maximum use of the systems."

Mike Phillips, Direct Visual Chairman, comments: "If the Government's targets for educational excellence and lifelong learning are to be achieved, we need to seize all opportunities to deliver information and knowledge to the general public in the most effective way.

"We're delighted with the success of this partnership and look forward to forging further links with local authorities throughout the UK."