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Delivered by Craig Green of Johhn Wheatley College at the Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS), which took place 1-3 June 2009.
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Craig GreenInformation and Learning Services Manager
John Wheatley College
Shared service environment (swimming, drama, café, recording studios, library, flexible learning unit)
Partnership approach to solving problems ‘A cool place to be’ for young people Within Bridge, PCs act as magnet for young
people ◦ (provided by College, supporting public library
users as well as students)
Comparatively high unemployment Comparatively high ill-health Comparatively low educational attainment Territorial violence and youth disorder◦ Generational, and more recently involving younger
young people
Regeneration Community planning commitment Strong partnership experience
Most young people behave well Significant minority of young people with
behavioural problems (faced by all Bridge partners but with particular problems in main open library space)◦ Sometimes including abusive refusal to accept authority◦ Negative experience for other users
Need for rethink of approach to public-facing services in the library for young people
New opportunity for College learning support services in public service context
4 years in practice, supporting young people 12+ Originally Greater Easterhouse community
learning centres (usually between 7 and 15 PCs), now Glasgow East wide and for last two years including Bridge
Informal IT-based learning support based on young people’s interests as they express them at the time (beginning and generally ending with fun)
Combination of youth workers (lead role) and tutors and other staff in host centres
Dependent on various partners in various venues
Safe place to go Entertaining place to go Development of IT skills based on interests Development of Personal and Social Skills Citizenship agenda
Development of relationship with adult learning provider
Lifelong learning habits
Supported by College youth worker in response to behavioural problems
Immediately successful (Saturday afternoons) trial of drop-in service with 20 PCs reserved
Extended to include tutor support Extended to evenings Extended on Saturdays to nearly all day Moved in August from 32 PC public area to 50 PC
flexible learning unit Use of PC access incentive supporting ‘probation’
approach to addressing behavioural problems
Young People PCs Youth Workers Library Assistants Tutors Additional activities as alternative to PCs
Build trusted relationships Encourage positive behaviour Encourage learning Encourage confidence Encourage development of social skills
Challenge negative behaviour, maintain orderly environment
Issue CD based games (and occasionally, books)
Issue user accounts Consult young people about library services Support young people in basic use of PCs Build positive relationships with young people Challenge negative behaviour, maintain
orderly environment
Teach creative IT skills◦ Young people supported by youth worker in initial
discussions about aspirations◦ Based on interest of young people in developing
more advanced skills (playing with more advanced software)
Encourage and confirming learning Encourage academic ambition Build positive relationships with young people Challenge negative behaviour, maintain
orderly environment
CD-ROM games Bebo (for 13+) IM YouTube Animation Video editing Audio editing Music creation VJ sequencing
and, for those young people who get bored with play ... Homework support CV design and job applications
and, next year, Youth Achievement Awards and the BCS Digital Cre8or Award
Monday, Wednesday (5-8pm), Friday evenings (5-9pm) (No library service Wednesday evenings, College entrance
used) Saturdays (11-5pm) Partial Youth Access service in public area Tuesday
evenings (5-7:30, because adult use of flexible learning unit)
No service Thursday evenings (under review), no service Sundays
Friday evening sessions finish early every 2 months for Dance NRG (300+ young people in Friday evening ‘rave’ gig accessible only through youth clubs)
Friday evenings include additional support from a local voluntary sector partner (F.A.R.E.’s ‘Mer Tae Me’ project)
Bridge services are part of a substantial programme of youth work in Greater Easterhouse
Youth disorder and violence down over last two years◦ Particularly Friday evenings when good services now
developed◦ Less so on Saturday evenings when fewer services
Bridge services still have behavioural problems with some young people, but less, and services and staff are better able to deal with it
Over 400 young people have had support from the programme this year with average attendances 30 to 50
Overall respect for facilities indicated by lack of graffiti
Young people◦ Found everywhere
PCs◦ Found in most libraries
Youth Workers◦ Found in council services and voluntary sector, often looking for
venues, usually able to provide alternative activities Library Staff◦ Found in most libraries
Tutors◦ Found in colleges and library services
Apply a little rocket science (‘please, because, thank you’), mix together and bake in a hot partnership environment until running smoothly
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