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The resources and activities provided by the M25 Consortium help member libraries develop and sustain their services in a variety of ways. From the staff training and development provided by cpd25 to support in disaster planning and recovery the benefits of Consortium membership extend to both library staff and users.
The Consortium’s staff training and development agency provides a full programme of courses and events that cover the diverse aspects of library and information service provision. Consortium members get a discounted rate and are given priority in booking for courses and events, many of which are oversubscribed.
For the details of forthcoming events, please visit the cpd25 homepage.
The InforM25 suite of services allows users to simultaneously cross search 52 catalogues and provides information on access to library services and subject holdings. The services enhance the visibility of member libraries and make them accessible to a wider group of users. In particular, collections that are added to the Search Catalogues service will become part of a resource accessed by students and researchers across the region.
The Mutual Support Agreement is an immediate benefit that comes into force once an institution has joined the Consortium. In the event of a disaster at a member library, other Consortium libraries will endeavour to provide study space for students from the affected library, providing physical access in line with the arrangements normally offered under the SCONUL Research Extra, UK Libraries Plus and/or M25 Access and Borrowing schemes. The Scheme can be invoked for a month and is designed to allow staff at affected libraries to prioritise disaster recovery by providing their students access to space and resources.
Mutual Support Agreement
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The Disaster Control Plan
The Disaster Control Plan is a valuable template that provides guidance and advice for library staff involved in Disaster Planning. The Plan is produced by the Disaster Management Group which also runs an annual Exchange of Experience seminar during which library staff share and develop their expertise by practising different scenarios.
The Disaster Control Plan
For more information on the Disaster Control Plan and the Exchange of Experience Seminar please see the Disaster Management Group’s pages. Disaster Management Group
The members of the Consortium’s Working Groups produce the resources and organise the events which take forward the Strategic Plan. Examples of useful resources developed for members are the Service Level Definition templates produced by the Quality Group and the directory of contacts provided by the Disabilities Group.
Participation in the groups provides Consortium staff with the opportunity to network and develop their professional expertise in specific areas.
Members wishing to join a particular group or nominate a member of their staff should in the first instance contact the Secretary.
List of Working Group
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Participation, networking and news
Effective communication between its members is integral to achieving the Consortium’s strategic objectives. At bi-annual meetings in January and June, Consortium members meet and review the annual programme of work. The meetings also include a morning programme of speakers on emerging topics and issues relevant to the Consortium’s membership. Through the website, Consortium members will have access to the presentations as well as papers for the meetings.
Alongside the bi-annual meetings, the Steering Group organises an annual or networking event, for representatives and senior staff at member institutions. The event provides an opportunity for representatives to meet colleagues from across the region and members of the Steering Group and Working Groups.
Staff at member institutions can also subscribe to the E-bulletin and the Systems Team newsletter. The e-bulletin is a quarterly update on news and events within the Consortium while the Systems Team Newsletter keeps members posted on developments within the InforM25 services and Resource Discovery issues. The following links provide more information about how to become a member, the criteria for membership and the responsibilities of Consortium membership.
For more information about the Consortium's activities and forthcoming events, please contact the M25 Consortium Administrative Assistant.
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Membership 