The IHBC has just launched the next stage in the evolution of its practitioner support ‘toolbox’, an integrated online resource for built and historic environment conservation practice that, with the new Beta (developing) Home Page, now offers easy-to-follow links – like trays and compartments in a toolbox – so that busy conservation practitioners can find their way through the huge diversity of resources shaping built and historic environment conservation.
IHBC President Trefor Thorpe said: ‘The launch of this Beta Home Page in our evolving ‘Toolbox’ marks the point at which practitioners and the wider public can see how the system will operate. Already it’s giving direct access to entire new bodies of information developed by the IHBC for the sector – including especially new resources such as our own research publishing programme of ‘Research Notes’ and our practice-based ‘Guidance Notes’ – as well as easing access to longstanding resources such as our consultation responses. And this is still only the start’.
IHBC Chair Mike Brown said: ‘The Toolbox, and its new Home Page is the central platform to our suite of support for busy conservation practitioners. As IHBC members face unprecedented challenges in funding, infrastructure and the capacity to secure competent advice and support, the ‘Toolbox’ could not be more timely or essential.’
‘The Toolbox also demonstrates how the IHBC continues to focus on supportive action for our members, as we continue to do all we can to build working interfaces across the huge diversity of conservation stakeholders and interests. Our Toolbox will play a key role in building the efficient and effective inter-disciplinary connections essential in any successful built and historic environment conservation.’
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘While the arrival of the Beta Home Page means the Toolbox is operational, that’s not to say it’s ideally structured as yet! Like any toolbox, we will re-arrange the headline areas and their links – like the trays and compartments in your toolbox – to best suit users’ needs. And we can add and subtract content and routes, as we learn what members and users want.’
‘Indeed it is also the first public statement in the delivery of our new Corporate Plan, as we shape a core service that is in turn shaped first by members’ needs, so do be sure to offer your thoughts on this and other aspects of our work through the feedback link.
Visit the Beta Home Page of the Toolbox and feel free to explore the links from there and feedback through our WebStarter.
