Franchised courses in higher education: implications for the library manager

Assesses library support for courses franchised from universities to further education colleges. The research formed part of a two-year British Library-funded project examining library support for franchised courses in higher education. Interviews were held with 17 college librarians in Lancashire and Cumbria to explore the extent to which they are involved with franchised courses and the impact that such courses had on the college libraries. The discussions examined the library's participation in the validation process and identified areas of dissatisfaction with the franchising process as well as difficulties with, for example, the provision of appropriate information skills work. Considers the impact of franchising in real terms in relation to book and journal stocks and support services, and comments on the perceived role of the franchising university's library.