Libraries and Multicultural communities in UK

Gillian HarrisGillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Libraries and Multicultural Communities in UK

Libraries and Multicultural Communities in the UK

Demographics Award-winning library services Elements for good service

development

Multi-cultural Communities Settled communities

English as second language English as first language

New arrivals Families of settled people Refugees Asylum seekers Migrant workers Seasonal workers Students

Mixed race people

The NetworkTackling social exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries

http://www.seapn.org.uk/default.asp?page_id=2

Welcome to your Library Project

Libraries support reading, learning and information literacy

Libraries are gateways to other services. Libraries are vital spaces for positive interaction and a

place for people from different backgrounds to come together and share experiences.

www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/default.asp

Three rules for winning support Never assume that others understand what the library

does or what it takes to do it. Take every opportunity to educate them

Ask! Research shows that even people who don’t use the library appreciate its role and wish to support it

Don’t do this alone – your message is most powerful when others speak up for you

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/olos/toolkits/rural_toolkit.pdf

Diversity Group of Ciliphttp://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/special-interest-groups/diversity/Pages/default.aspx

Diversity Award 2010London Borough of Southwark, Rotherhithe Library Engaging with the Somali and Latin American Communities in Southwark

Runner-UpCoventry University

Ethnicity and Study Skills: active intervention in the library setting

Libraries Change Lives

http://www.cilip.org.uk/about-us/medalsandawards/libraries-change-lives/pages/lclawardintro.aspx

National Programmes

The Reading Agency: Six Book Challengehttp://www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk//

The Book Trust: book-gifting programmeshttp://www.booktrust.org.uk/Bookgifting-schemes

Elements for Good Service Development

Good and appropriate resources Knowledgeable staff Understanding of the needs of the

different communities

“Using the Needs-Based Library approach will cover Strategy, Structure, Systems and Culture - all of these must be aligned if the needs of multicultural communities are to be met. We used this holistic approach in Lincolnshire to good effect. We did not rely on special services or project based work - we took a whole service approach to meeting needs. And we did not merely consult on ideas we had already come up with - we genuinely engaged and involved local communities in the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of library services.”

John Pateman

Resources http://www.seapn.org.uk/resources/

http://www.outsideinworld.org.uk/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-480265/Libraries-stocking-books-preach-terrorism-hatred.html#

Staff training Awareness of the culture and needs of

local communities Communication skills Listening skills Negotiation skills Dealing with conflict

http://www.seapn.org.uk/events

Encompass

In the UK, one person in thirteen comes from an ethnic minority. Among library & information staff, it could be as few as one in forty-four.

http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/encompass/pages/aboutencompass.aspx

New Library Buildings

http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/news/2009/September/Northolt_library

http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/news/2009/July/Manningham_library

http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/news/2009/April/Luton_central

Newcastle City Library

A positive thread that is running through this is the desire to maintain and develop services for people in real need (and to try to continue universal services which improve the lives of everyone). How far this is successful will depend on local political decision-making, and, right now, this is volatile. However, it is likely that there will be a reduction in the kinds of provision which we know reaches people who may not otherwise take up our services - Certainly there is already a reduction in the number of staff involved in these activities - and this is shameful at a time when all the research points to the need to close the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'.

John Vincent, The Network

Hvala