Media Releases

SOCIAL INCLUSION WEB SITE HELPS LIBRARIANS PUT POLICY INTO PRACTICE

Social inclusion is one of the Government’s top priorities, and a new web based service launched today aims to guide people to resources about social inclusion relevant to public libraries.  Jointly funded by the Community Development Foundation, the Society of Chief Librarians and the Library Association’s Community Services Group, the Web site covers the maze of relevant policy guidelines and research publications. It also attempts to take account of regional and country variations. 

“It is essential that librarians understand national and local policies,” comments Community Services Group Chair Annie Mauger.  “Joining up actions in deprived communities with development and regeneration agencies, and ensuring that all people have open access to lifelong opportunities are fundamental.  This new web guide will allow public library staff to keep track of the wider context in which they work.”

Launched by Chris Batt, Director of the Learning & Information Society Team at Resource, The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, the Social Inclusion and Libraries Web site is available at www.inclusionandlibraries.org.uk.  All library authorities in Britain will receive a special postcard advertising the site.

For further information contact:

Annie Mauger, Head of Library Services, City of York Council, 01904 552 816

Tim Owen, Head of External Relations, The Library Association, 020 7255 0652

Kevin Harris, Community Development Foundation, 020 7226 5375

Note to Editors

The Community Development Foundation is a non-departmental public body supported by the Active Community Unit of the Home Office. Its role is to pioneer, study and promote new forms of community development, in order to inform public policy, professional practice and community initiatives.

The Library Association is the leading professional body for librarians and information managers, with over 25,000 members who work in all sectors, including business and industry, further and higher education, schools, local and central government departments and agencies, the health service, the voluntary sector and national public libraries.

Under the banner 'information, equality, opportunity', the LA’s Community Services Group promotes equal access for all communities to library and information services and combats disadvantage.  It advises and informs policymakers and encourages the role of library and information services in community development strategies.

The Society of Chief Librarians is a professional association made up of the Chief Librarians of each library authority in England and Wales.  SCL aims to take a leading role in the development of public libraries by influencing statutory, financial and other decisions.  It represents the views of its members to a wide range of government departments and bodies.

Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries is a strategic agency working with and on behalf of museums, archives and libraries. It replaced the Museums & Galleries Commission and the Library & Information Commission in April 2000, and has three main objectives, to provide strategy, advocacy and advice.