Libraries Building Communities Carol Oxley I J Management

Libraries Building Communities Carol Oxley I & J Management Services I&J Management Services

Libraries Building Communities - Context Information from about 10, 000 people over the period from May to December 2003. Diverse range of stakeholders • library users and non-users • library staff and • community leaders eg local councillors, bureaucrats, business people, school principals, religious groups and community service organisations Both qualitative and quantitative information. • Focus Groups and interviews - an opportunity to explore issues in depth • Surveys provided statistical data and allowed validation of the extent to which issues raised in the qualitative research were significant within the broader community. Methodology and data collection by an independent market research company.

How can public libraries add greater value to their communities? Tackling Social Exclusion • Who is excluded? – what the data tells us • Barriers to access • Suggested approaches Enhancing libraries community building role • Overcoming the digital divide • Developing the library as a community meeting place • Partnership for skills development • Building links between community and government • Developing information collections which address local issues e. g. water, bushfires, drug use Challenges for libraries I&J Management Services

Public libraries as a vehicle for social inclusion Library service are used by a broad cross section of people including those from disadvantaged social groups. • • Households on low incomes i. e. incomes of less than $400 per week are well-represented In nearly all library services the proportion of library users who are unemployed is at least twice the proportion of people in the community who are unemployed One-parent families represent 10% of library users and 11% of households in Victoria. People over the age of 70 are also well represented in a majority of libraries I&J Management Services

Variation across libraries ‘Open for All? ’highlights significant variations across libraries in terms of user profile. Libraries were teenagers are well represented Others CALD population is well represented Library that has a high proportion of users from the occupational group ‘labourers’. Important to share the lessons – eg how is do some libraries attract strong use by teenagers? Case studies report from LBC captures some of these lessons I&J Management Services

Users and non-users of public libraries in Victoria ? % Users - 60% Non-users (disadvantaged) - 13% Non-users (lifestyle) - 27% I&J Management Services

Who are the 13% +? Socially disadvantaged and marginalised • People who are educationally disadvantaged. . • People who live in isolation from wider society. • People living in some form of institutional setting. • People who don’t think libraries are relevant to their lives or needs. • People who lack knowledge of library facilities and services, and how to use them. People who public libraries may not cater for. • Particular occupational groups – trades people, labourers. • People who are visually impaired. • Gay people. People who face physical barriers to accessing the library • People with disabilities • Frail people • People without transport I&J Management Services

Reasons for concern People and geographic areas already suffering social and economic disadvantage have more restricted access to information resources Access to information is crucial to participate in the social, civic and economic life Health of the community depends on development of social capital - social integration of those currently marginalised Reading, literacy and information are critical underpinnings for sustainable lifelong learning New economy can only work if new technologies are diffused through all strata of society. Significant benefits- for individuals, the community, the nation if these groups engaged I&J Management Services

Barriers for non-users • Not simply about opening hours or appropriate physical access, but also about culture, the nature of services and the manner in which they are delivered. • Awareness • Image of the library - ‘not for people like us’ • Relevance of the resources and activities of libraries • Location • Attitudes I&J Management Services

Overcoming barriers • New image for public libraries - reflect the changing times - the way libraries are now working with the community - image that reflects location • Communicate specific messages – you will be welcome at the library • Highlight the services most relevant to disadvantaged groups • Make people more comfortable with libraries – use a mentor to introduce them to the library - get people in through entertainment etc • Work with disadvantaged groups (and their organisations) to identify specific barriers to use and information needs. I&J Management Services

Tackling social exclusion • Identify priority target groups within the community • Redistribute resources to meet target group needs • Ensure there are staff who are trained to work with target groups. • Use mentors from community agencies to help train library staff in the needs of particular groups I&J Management Services

Building communities - Overcoming the digital divide • Public libraries especially effective in supporting government policy to overcome the digital divide within the community • Concern that there is little money to expand update IT infrastructure to meet the growing demand • Suggested there should be an audit of existing resources to analyse what shortfall exists to meet the growing demands of new technologies I&J Management Services

Libraries as a community meeting place/community hub • Great potential for public libraries to be developed as a key element in community hubs and learning centres • Expand their role as information access points for information about their communities. • Displays of local art work and craft • Encourage community groups to use the library’s meeting rooms I&J Management Services

Partnership for learning • Importance of informal learning that goes on in the library • Fostering an enjoyment of reading • Public libraries have a special role in supporting ‘vulnerable learners’- build confidence link them to structured learning • Looking for better integration of libraries with schools and other educational institutions • improve the currently limited engagement between higher education and public libraries • Integrated approach to service delivery leads to ‘a bigger overall g result for the system as a whole’ I&J Management Services

Building links between community and government • Libraries can provide a bridge between the community and the different levels of government • Offering a more friendly face of government • Acting as a conduit to local council services • Access to information about Government services specifically assist communities to access government information on the Internet. • Libraries as place where government can consult with the community I&J Management Services

Developing information collections which address local issues • Becoming a clearing house for issues of interest or concern in the community such as health and environmental issues. • Partner with other groups eg DSE, DHS • Providing information to help business understand the local community I&J Management Services

Challenges for public libraries • • • Resources Tensions between needs of different users Libraries can’t be everything to everyone Universal v Selective (targeted) service No policy framework or guidelines for social exclusion - contrast with UK • Lack of consensus over the definition of social exclusion - lack of information • Socially disadvantaged and marginalised groupsresource intensive • Staffing and skill base eg community development skills I&J Management Services