About Frontline

Frontline is an online course in seven Modules designed to introduce the theory and practice of reader-centred work to public library staff. The course is suitable for frontline staff; all tasks can be done by staff who may work part-time and do not have wide responsibilities. There is a short course version of four Modules for staff who work part-time or any volunteers who are interested in gaining new skills.

Frontline is bought on subscription and is managed through a rollout within a library authority. A Co-ordinator first takes the course with the supervision of Opening the Book and subsequently manages a cascade where all trainees who graduate the full course are eligible to be created as peer supervisors of others. The Co-ordinator is supported throughout the subscription by Opening the Book.

Frontline has been used by over 10,000 staff over 6 years and is having a tremendous impact, changing the experience of library customers across the UK, Ireland and Australia. 97% of library services in England have used the course, plus all services in Wales and Northern Ireland, and numbers in Scotland are growing. An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (the Irish Library Council) supports a national rollout to all Irish library services and the State Library of Victoria has a 3-year programme to roll out Frontline to 850 staff in library services across the state. A discussion area actively asks users to discuss ideas across the divisions of geography and responsibility.