Libraries For All: Social Inclusion in Public Libraries

Section 1:
Why a Social Inclusion Policy for Public Libraries

1.1 Public libraries are highly respected and well used by the public - approximately 60% of the population in England are library members and there are some 3,600 separate public access points, spread reasonably evenly across the country. Libraries cater for all age groups, social classes and sexes. Recent research by the British Library demonstrated that 27% of regular public library users are from social class DE, compared with 22% of the population as a whole.

1.2 Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, the149 English library authorities are required to provide a service for everyone who lives, works or studies in their areas. Over the years public libraries have developed a range of special services, targeted at various disadvantaged social groups to facilitate equality of provision. However, the scale and complexity of social exclusion issues now requires public libraries to take a fresh look at the extent to which their services embrace all parts of our society. Libraries now need to address what can be done to ensure that they serve the 40% of the population who are not library members.

1.3 Public libraries are a focal point for the provision of information services in the community. As such they have an important role to play in helping to combat social inclusion and promote lifelong learning. A number of the proposals emerging from the various Policy Action Teams established by the Cabinet Office’s Social Exclusion Unit relate to services that public libraries can and should be providing, particularly through the medium of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

1.4 Some library authorities are already extremely active and imaginative in developing policies and services aimed at combatting social exclusion. However, the pattern of provision is uneven and there is no national framework to influence or guide local initiatives. For example, the appraisal of 1998 Annual Library Plans concluded that "Social inclusion was scored poorly. It was well below average in a large number of plans. We have found many individual initiatives which are clearly directed at one or more minority groups, but what seems to be lacking is a comprehensive review of social inclusion (from a library service standpoint) and a co-ordinated response to this particular challenge".

1.5 DCMS recently chaired a Policy Action Team (PAT) which considered the role that its sectors have to play in helping to overcome social exclusion (PAT 10 - Arts and Sport). Their published report recommends assessing provision and expenditure on culture and leisure both geographically and according to the social, ethnic and professional background of users and potential users. It also recommends that there should be more systematic community consultation and that local authorities should develop plans for community based culture and leisure activities.

1.6 As part of the implementation of the PAT10 recommendations, DCMS has defined the following overall aim of its social inclusion policy: "To promote the involvement in culture and leisure activities of those at risk of social disadvantage or marginalisation, particularly by virtue of the area they live in; their disability or age, racial or ethnic origin. To improve the quality of people’s lives by these means." This guidance reflects these aims and the PAT10 recommendations. It also reflects the emerging findings of PAT15, which is considering how the socially excluded can access and take advantage of ICT. The report of PAT 15 will be published shortly, and will provide important further guidance on issues specific to social inclusion and ICT.

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Foreword by Chris Smith

Executive Summary of Key Policy Objectives

1 Why a Social Inclusion Policy for Public Libraries?

2 The Social Inclusion Context

3 Identifying the Barriers that Keep People Away

4The Social Inclusion Policy

5 Means of Achieving those Objectives

6 The Challenges that Libraries Face

7 The Consultation Process

Appendix A - Bibliography

Appendix B - Terms of Reference and List of Policy Group Members