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MERTON WINS LIBRARIES CHANGE LIVES AWARD

The London Borough of Merton’s Refugee Resources Collection and Service has won The Library Association’s Libraries Change Lives Award, the prestigious annual scheme which is sponsored by the Library + information Show (LiS).

Staff from Merton Libraries were presented with the Award, which was set up to celebrate the value of libraries to people and their communities, together with £4,000 by the poet John Hegley at LiS 2001.

Two joint runners-up – Boox on the Move (Leeds Library and Information Service and the Barnardo’s Castle Project) and Burnley Library Special Needs Support Service (Lancashire County Council) were both presented with a certificate and a cheque for £1,000.

Chosen from 33 entries nationwide, Merton Libraries’ pioneering project seeks to help asylum seekers and refugees become self-sufficient and make a new life.  Library staff regularly visit a local drop-in centre where they issue books and other materials in a range of identified ethnic languages.  Groups are walked to the nearest library to show how easy it is to gain access to a wealth of information and the library service has organized a range of arts and cultural events focusing on the lives of refugees.  

On winning the Award, Di Reynolds of Merton Libraries said, “Refugees are fugitives from war, persecution and natural disaster, victims in a strange country.  They need a cultural route map through the confused and sometimes hostile environment in which they find themselves, and help and support so that they can become self-sufficient and start a new life.  This was our aim in creating Merton Libraries Refugee Resources and Collection Service. We are delighted to win this prestigious Award which is recognition of the hard work of all the staff involved in the project."

Joint runner-up Boox on the Move was originally set up as part of a national initiative organised by the National Youth Agency and Well Worth Reading to bring youth workers and library services together. It combines creative arts, literature development activities and practical skills, for vulnerable and socially excluded young people living in care homes and youth justice institutions in Leeds. A mobile library and Youth Arts and Literature Development Workers visit each unit weekly to promote the value of reading and to help the young people to improve their basic literacy and to develop communication and ICT skills.

Lancashire County Council’s Special Needs Support Service, which helps people with learning and physical difficulties was the other joint runner up.  The service is based at Burnley Central Library and is run in partnership with MENCAP, Burnley College and Lancashire Social Services.  Headed by Special Needs Co-Ordinator Carole Wolstenholme, it provides a one-to-one service that encourages the achievement of personal goals.

Philip Wark, chair of the judging panel commented, “Libraries are at the forefront of the political and social agenda, taking action where often there is only rhetoric.  In sharp contrast to the recent general election, which saw various key issues sidelined across the political spectrum, this year’s Award demonstrates yet again that libraries are not afraid to tackle difficult issues head on."

“Merton Libraries identified a specific need amongst asylum seekers and refugees in its community and set about finding a real solution, where many organisations and local authorities may have taken token action.  This service is part of mainstream library provision and not just a last minute add on."

“This inspired project illustrates the tremendous impact libraries can make upon the lives of the vulnerable and socially excluded and provides a path for leading politicians to follow.”

Notes to editors:

• The judging panel for The Library Association’s Libraries Change Lives Award is: Philip Wark, Vice Chair of The Library Association’s Community Services Group; Pat Flynn, Head of Library and Information Services, Leicester; Kevin Harris, Head of Information at The Community Development Foundation and Gospatric Home, Founder of the Library + information Show
• The Library + information Show took place at the NEC, Birmingham, 5 -7 June 2001.
• The Library Association is the Chartered professional body for Librarians and Information Managers.                                                                                                      

For further information contact:

Tracey Harte, Harte PR
Tel: 01283 521124; Fax: 01283 521191
E-mail: harte.pr@virgin.net

Louisa Myatt, Acting Marketing Manager, The Library Association
Tel: 020 7255 0650; Fax: 020 7255 0501
E-mail: louisa.myatt@la-hq.org.uk

Sophie Rauber, London Borough of Merton
Tel: 020 8545 3181
E-mail: sophie.rauber@merton.gov.uk

14 June 2001