BY THE NUMBERS
Funded in part by a $150,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Tacoma Public Librarys StoryLab provides teen patrons with a variety of digital technology and training.
Heres what the new media center offers:
Hardware
• Five 27-inch iMac 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 RAM 4GB kit (2x2GB) with Wacom Bamboo Fun Digital Tablets.
• Five Panasonic Lumix ZS7 digital cameras with accessories.
• Five HD Canon Vixia HF21 Camcorder Kits with accessories.

Comments: 3
If you really don't need flash, incandescent lamps are an inexpensive alternative.
I have been using a Lowel Tota-light two light kit for a few years. They come with stands and shoot through umbrellas for under $450 USD.
You may also want to look into a background stand. Savage makes a good inexpensive portable one.
I would agree. I did a career in broadcast television news / sports and I used Lowell equipment for many years - about the best out there especially given the umbrella kits that come with them. Excellent lighting outfits.
I have used "White Lightening" flash units for 10 or more years. I use the one light concept and reflectors (white painted cardboard). The inventor, Paul Buff manufactures several units ranging in cost to what would be considered economical to "studio" quality priced units (read beyond my budget).
Unlike Jim & fhotoace, I would recommend flash not continuous lights - far more versatility in controlling the ambient.
The Alien Bees (Paul Buff) system is good, and reasonably cheap in the States, but as you've quoted a price in £ I'm assuming you're in the UK and AB's are VERY expensive over here (if you can get them) due to markup