How JISC is saving library services from savage budget cuts

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 2 September 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theory Test Pro scores top marks in new online digital library buying framework from JISC.

New buying framework will save English public libraries millions of pounds.

London, 2 Sept 2010 - Theory Test Pro, the leading online study programme for the UK's driving theory test is now available to English public libraries at special subscription rates thanks to a new procurement agreement.

The agreement process was managed by JISC Collections, trusted experts in negotiating, procuring and licensing digital content for libraries. A special Digital Library Licensing Service was created to carry out the necessary evaluation and negotiation of submissions.

"Theory Test Pro scored very highly with our panel of markers, who felt the content and pricing were excellent and that the submission took into consideration the particular needs of the public library sector" said Ben Taplin, Project Manager at the Digital Library Licensing Service.

Theory Test Pro enables public libraries to offer a free online study programme for the UK's driving theory test. The programme contains the entire official test question bank, hazard perception video clips and an online version of the Highway Code. The service allows unlimited usage and can be accessed remotely using a library barcode number.

“We’re delighted to be selected for inclusion in this agreement” said Henry Dillon Marketing Director at Well Informed. “JISC Collections have successfully facilitated a timely agreement that will help public libraries get the best value for money on the best online resources available.”

GoCitizen, an online study resource for candidates preparing for the British citizenship test, was also selected for inclusion in the new framework. GoCitizen uses the same study platform as Theory Test Pro and is also published by Well Informed.

Public libraries can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Theory Test Pro or GoCitizen by visiting the links below or emailing help@wellinformed.co.uk

http://gocitizen.co.uk/library

http://theorytestpro.co.uk/library

Detailed information about the framework will be available online at
http://www.librarylicensing.org by mid-September.

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Note to Editors

FURTHER INFORMATION

Henry Dillon

Marketing Director, Well Informed Limited

henry@wellinformed.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 7749 6920

Ben Taplin

Project Manager, JISC

b.taplin@jisc.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 3006 6012

ABOUT WELL INFORMED

Well Informed is an online publishing startup based in London. They specialise in providing e-learning and assessment solutions for public libraries, schools and training institutions as well as selling direct to consumers. For more information visit www.wellinformed.co.uk

ABOUT JISC

JISC Collections is a membership organisation, established by the UK Higher and Further Education funding councils, to support the procurement of digital content for education and research in the UK.

JISC is uniquely placed to provide our members with:

• expertise in negotiating and procurement, within the scholarly communications sector, to save librarians time and money
• high-quality e-resource collections selected for academic research, teaching and learning
• best pricing and licensing, using our collective influence to obtain value for money
• environmental scanning and research into innovative resources, licensing models and evaluation tools
• shared knowledge about e-resource acquisition and research.

JISC provides annual efficiency gains to members of approximately £50 million, and enable scholars and learners to use each resource to its fullest potential. For more information visit http://www.jisc-collections.ac.uk