Projects will not have to meet all of these criteria but they should aim to meet most of them. These criteria will also help to frame the way we evaluate how far projects succeed in practice.
- Branching Out is about fundamental structural changes, not just about individual projects. The projects are a vehicle for testing and embedding changes in practice. Every project will clearly state the change process it is contributing towards and how progress will be evaluated.
- Branching Out is about involving readers. The projects start from the reader not from the writer or the book.
- Branching Out is about books and ICT not books versus ICT. Projects will demonstrate how ICT can be used to promote reading
- Branching Out is about developing librarians' skills and experience beyond their current role. Projects will offer opportunities for librarians to gain new experience and develop their skills.
- Branching Out will purchase fiction and poetry in areas underbought by public libraries; it is the purpose of projects to promote this stock.
- Branching Out is about reaching readers aged 18-40 who are currently under-represented among library users. Projects will target this audience and will seek new ways to involve this age group.
- Branching Out is about researching reader needs and responses. Projects will include a research element where appropriate.
- Branching Out is about partnerships to create and sustain a culture for reader development. Projects will make concrete the relationships with Branching Out's structural partners in bookselling, arts funding, higher education and the National Library for the Blind. They will build on partnerships with The British Council, The British Centre for Literary Translation and publishers, and seek new partnerships as appropriate.
- Branching Out is a national initiative with a commitment to disseminate to all library authorities in England through regional networks. Major projects will be available to all authorities to purchase/participate in and training will be provided through the regional networks.
