Main Related Pages on this Wiki:

• Culture & Religion
• IT Access (espcially under Websites)

New Stuff

• Mapping minority groups in Britain http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/projects/Modernmulticulturalism/Pages/Mapping.aspx In order to illustrate the current diversity of different parts of Britain, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has commissioned a new interactive map. When you click through you will find 30 cities or areas of Britain, which appear as red circles – if you double click on a circle this takes you to a detailed neighbourhood map showing the most numerous minority groups by postcode, in that area. The white British population is excluded as otherwise it would dominate the maps, obscuring the minority group data. Click link above for more about how information was gathered and to access the map. (WTYL 24/11/08)
• Community cohesion one-stop shop portal launched http://www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx The Institute of Community Cohesion has just launched the first phase of its one-stop shop, including a very useful summary of the development of community cohesion in the UK, with links to the key reports and documents. (WTYL 24/11/08)
• O2 – “It’s your community” grants http://www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk/ “Awards of up to £1,000 are available to local groups and individuals for anything that can be shown to benefit your community. The awards are independently judged and administered by The Conservation Foundation on behalf of O2 … We support projects that bring people together and benefit your community…” There are four categories for awards: rebuild and restore; cultural; active; and green and clean. (WTYL 17/11/08 and National Youth Agency e-youthaction no. 43, November 2008)
• Delivering Joined-Up Community Engagement. Fulfilling your duty to inform, consult and involve, Wed 21 January 2009, Central London. Attend this conference to learn more about: Developing an engagement strategy best suited to your local area; Embedding policy into your engagement strategy; Strengthening partnerships and establishing systems for collaborative working; Consultation and community involvement in local decision making; Overcoming barriers to participation. See: http://www.emapconferences.co.uk/communityengagement/index.jsp The conference is preceded by a workshop on Tue 20 January 2009: http://www.emapconferences.co.uk/communityengagement/programme/workshop/index.jsp (WTYL 17/11/08)
• Migration statistics resource guide - http://www.lgar.local.gov.uk/lgv/aio/86274 (see page 9). An LGA migration statistics resource guide will provide a review and critique of official sources of data that provide estimates of migration and population more generally. It will also look at sources from Councils’ own records, from the private sector and from the third sector which might provide an early alert to changing trends in migration or details about the characteristics of migrants. The guide will advise how different sources can be drawn together to provide richer detail about local populations. It will be available in early November. For more information contact peter.norris@lgar.local.gov.uk or 020 7664 3076. (WTYL 03/11/08)
• Worker registration scheme (WRS) data - Local Government Analysis and Research has negotiated and secured access to local authority level WRS data from the Home Office. This up-to-date information enables local authorities to discover more about changing local population, and is invaluable in service planning. You can access local WRS data if you have a .gov.uk web address and the following weblink also has a link to access national and regional data if you do not: http://www.lgar.local.gov.uk/lgv/core/page.do?pageId=27879 (WTYL 03/11/08)
• Community Leadership Fund http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/987558 Announcement of the 22 projects that will share the fund “aimed at supporting Muslim communities to unlock the potential of local people to take a lead on tackling violent extremism.” The list of successful projects is at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/987573.pdf - and NB the setting up of the pilot Gateshead Interfaith Forum. (WTYL 13/10/08)
• “Mainstreaming community cohesion in Leicester” http://www.idea.gov.uk:80/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8644592 New case study on the IDeA site, which illustrates how Leicester is mainstreaming its Council-wide approach to community cohesion. What is particularly exciting is not only evidence that community cohesion can be mainstreamed, but also the involvement of libraries as one of the key partners, including a presentation on “the role of libraries in integrating new arrivals, asylum seekers and refugees and helping them to get work experience”. (WTYL 22/09/08)
• Read about linking with the local community through community forums and websites in Carl's SINTO Blog. The local forums for South Yorkshire are listed: Sheffield Forum http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/index.php; Barnsley Links http://barnsley.freeforums.org/; Rotherham, The Unofficial Website http://www.rotherhamunofficial.co.uk/index.html; Doncaster's Donny Online http://www.donny.co.uk/. (Sintoblog 24th August 2008 http://sintoblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/libraries-and-social-engagement.html)
• Community archives and identities: documenting and sustaining community heritage http://archivesandidentities.com/ and http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/icarus/community-archives/ Community Archives and Identities is part of a research project at the School of Library Archive and Information Studies at University College London (UCL) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The aim of the project is to investigate the role community archives play in supporting a sense of rootedness and identity amongst black and other minority ethnic communities in particular. The researchers are also interested in the role community archives play in raising awareness of these neglected histories in the wider public and challenging collective representations. How such projects can best be supported from both within and outside the mainstream archive sector is also a major theme of this research. The researchers hope that the blog will provide a forum for a wide discussion of some of the issues arising from the project and welcome contributions from anyone with an interest in this area - activists, archivists, family historians, researchers. They are also keen to publicise talks, publications, events etc., so do please get in touch mary.stevens@acl.ac.uk (WTYL 08/09/08)
• Community engagement resources taken from Daren Kearl's article in Update, 'Dairy of a Community Development Librarian 2007-2008': Community engagement in public libraries: a toolkit for public library staff. MLAC and CSV Consulting 2006. Also see: www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/framework/framework_programmes/Community_Engagement_resources or www.communities.gov.uk (UM 7 [7-8] July/ August 2008 pp38-39)
• Empowering Communities: achieving local improvement, accountability and opportunities through community involvement and leadership http://www.lgc-empowerment.com/homepage.asp 30 September 2008, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London. This Local Government Chronicle event is designed to help local authorities get to grips with what empowerment means and how you can achieve this with your community. With a detailed look at pioneering community-led projects and future policy, this is an opportunity to get a firm understanding of the opportunities, risks and potential for empowerment and how it can be driven forward successfully in your area. Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State Communities and Local Government is the confirmed keynote speaker. See weblink above for programme and how to register. (WTYL 01/09/08)
• Community engagement: an introduction http://www.mlalondon.org.uk/lmal/index.cfm?ArticleID=1459&NavigationID=103 17 September 2008, Brunei Gallery, London, 9.30-4.30. This course is one of a series of three community engagement courses aimed at museums, libraries and archives. Delegates are welcome to attend just one course, or a combination of the three. The course is interactive and participative and will draw upon the experience and skills of the participants to consider community engagement in the museums, libraries and archives sector. Prior to the course, participants will be sent some background materials including a policy briefing and will be asked to identify a current or proposed community engagement project, activity or issue that they would like to focus on with other participants in an afternoon session. Trainers: John Vincent - Networker for "The Network - tackling social exclusion ..." and Cathy Herman, Independent Consultant. More information and how to book at weblink above. (WTYL 01/09/08)

Community Cohesion & Integration

• Cohesion delivery framework: overview http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/898656.pdf New resource from DCLG. “This document is the starting point for anyone interested in what cohesion is and why it matters. It draws on the work of the independent Commission on Integration and Cohesion, who spent nine months examining how people around the country are getting involved to help make their communities better places to live. It explains the practical things that local authorities and their partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors can do to build places where everyone shares a sense of belonging. And it signposts the support and advice available from central government.” (WTYL 28/07/08)
• Community Cohesion and Migration http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcomloc/369/369i.pdf The House of Commons Communities & Local Government Committee has just published the 10th report of the Session 2007/8. The report looks at the effects of migration on cohesion; pressures on local services; responding to migration locally (eg local leadership and integration) and nationally (eg number of bodies involved, need for the Government to improve its provision); Government funding; and concludes with some 32 recommendations. Although referring to the Government, the following is also of particular importance to us: “We have identified four areas where improvements are needed: the co-ordination of policy across departments; the spread of best practice; the provision of English language tuition; and policy on the integration of short-term economic migrants.” (Also of interest is that one of the meetings with stakeholders, in Barking & Dagenham, included the Head of Community Services, Libraries and Heritage). (WTYL 21/07/08)
• Community engagement and community cohesion Important new research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which investigates whether attempts to build engagement and cohesion actually 'hear' the voices of new (and disparate) communities, such as refugees or migrant workers. It also suggests that the constant changes in local government structures and methods of consulting may also affect the involvement of some communities, and that some initiatives (such as creating shared spaces) may be counter-productive unless properly managed. There is a very useful list of "promising practices" - approaches that merit consideration - including: creating welcome packs; community events and activities; myth-busting exercises; outreach work; etc. A 'must-read'! See: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2227-governance-community-engagement.pdf (WTYL 14/07/08)
• Everybody needs good neighbours? A study of the link between community participation and community cohesion This report, from INVOLVE, funded by the national Empowerment Partnership, presents the findings from a study into the relationship between public participation, community cohesion and empowerment. Drawing on a literature review and the experiences and insights of a broad range of people from local and central government, academia and third sector organisations, the report explores how local authorities and Britain’s communities can best work together towards greater cohesion. The report is divided into two parts: a Practical Framework, which gives practical tips to those working towards community cohesion at the local level; and a Contextual Framework, which analyses the theories and evidence that underpin the current policy agenda on community cohesion. See: http://www.involve.org.uk/cohesion_report (WTYL 07/07/08)
• The Smart City and Its Libraries. International Conference 8-10 October 2008, Copenhagen, Denmark. The Public Libraries of Copenhagen, Denmark, in partnership with Victorian Public Library and Information Network (VICLINK), Public Libraries International Network (PLIN) and Urban Libraries Council (ULC), are happy to announce this international library conference and symposia. The conference will focus primarily on two topics: How libraries can make cities stronger; The library as a “place” in the age of technology. Full agenda and more information, see: http://www.bibliotek.kk.dk/smartcity or see the video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJjM3yIQxo (WTYL 29/06/08)
• Barrow Cadbury Trust announces new £750,000 funding initiative: 'Habits of Solidarity': The Barrow Cadbury Trust has launched a new funding stream aimed at fostering greater cohesion in some of Britain’s most diverse towns and cities. The trust will fund voluntary and community projects with grants typically worth £30,000. The new funding stream builds on the trust’s existing work promoting ‘Habits of Solidarity’ between people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. See: http://www.bctrust.org.uk/news/detail.php?nid=44 (WTYL 29/06/08)
Local involvement leads to happier communities (a report by the Improvement & Development Agency). See: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8428462 for information about the Local Wellbeing Project and recently published report and link to details of conference to take place on 9 September 2008 (http://www.localwellbeing.org.uk/ ). (WTYL 23/06/08)
• Intercultural Cities Conference, 1-3 May 2008, at St George's Hall, Liverpool. The Intercultural Cities Conference will look at migration, diversity and urban life in a fresh way. It not only provides an opportunity for International city leaders and experts to look at how different cultures can live together but how mixing can be turned to economic, social and cultural advantage. New thinking is needed on how diverse communities can co-operate in productive harmony instead of leading parallel or antagonistic lives. Official UK event as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. More information about the conference programme and how to book at: http://inter.culture.info/icc , and about the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/International/eyoid2008.htm (WTYL 31/03/08)
• Managing outreach in public libraries http://www.cilip.org.uk/training/training/2008/mp/Managingoutreachinpubliclibraries.htm 7 & 8 May 2008, London. Understand the value of outreach and how it can attract new users to your library and learn about community profiling and needs assessment. See weblink for full details. (WTYL 25/03/08)
• Welcome stranger: public libraries build the global village New 20 page report from Urban Libraries Council in the US details five broad strategies that public libraries are using for successful immigrant inclusion and community adaptation: Understanding local immigration dynamics; Bringing cultural and language sensitivity to service delivery; Building English capacity; Creating connections to local institutions; Encouraging civic engagement. Based on surveys of member libraries augmented with data from earlier work, the findings show that urban public libraries are in the forefront of the effort to make their cities stronger by welcoming and integrating new residents from all over the world and highlights promising and replicable practice and strategies. An article by Norman Oder in Library Journal about the report http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6534210.html picks up that it is aimed not just at library leaders, but at public and foundation officials and that public libraries are often ahead of other agencies (eg census bureau) in collecting formal and informal data on settlement patterns and needs of immigrants and refugees. Full report can be downloaded from http://www.urbanlibraries.org/publications/details.html (WTYL 25/03/08)
• A passion for excellence http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CBDCC1D5-8984-41A1-AFD8-C6ECD15C21BF/0/apassionforexcellence.pdf Key new strategy, published by the Local Government Association on behalf of DCMS, IDeA and others, which aims to show that, by “making the most of sporting and cultural opportunities, local authorities can improve the quality of services to their local communities”. 'Culture' here includes libraries. Links culture and sports into the National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy which sets out how central and local government will provide the support that local partnerships will need to deliver excellent Local Area Agreements. (WTYL 25/03/08)
• Delivering Local Area Agreements: the contribution of cultural activity http://www.mlalondon.org.uk/uploads/documents/Delivering_local_area_agreements_final.pdf This briefing, produced by MLA London and Arts Council England, London, is intended for local authorities seeking to position cultural activities in the process of negotiating their Local Area Agreements (LAAs). The document shows how these activities can deliver against the key themes and national indicators, with examples of projects and organisations that have put this into practice. The document also references other key evidence that local authorities can use. A supporting document, Delivering Local Area Agreements - a digest of research to evidence the contribution of culture to Local Area Agreements, gives more detailed evidence and brings together further web-based resources: http://www.mlalondon.org.uk/uploads/documents/
  Delivering_Local_Area_Agreements_Research_Digest.pdf In the section on stronger and safer communities it includes a page on the Welcome To Your Library project evaluation and shows the National Indicators to which this work contributes. (p12). Whilst directed at London boroughs these documents may be useful background for any local authority working on positioning culture in LAAs. (WTYL 25/03/08 and diversity-forum@mailtalk.ac.uk)
• Libraries Change Lives contenders in the SINTO Region include: Nunny TV (NE Lincolnshire Library Service) community TV project with free media/ IICT/ communications training; and Bradford Care Trust Libraries Partnership Project "aims to integrate service users with learning difficulties into the community using the central library as a focus for activities". (UM 7 (3) March 2008 p 3)
• Plugging into people power http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/joepublic/2008/03/plugging_into_people_power.html Richard Wilson looks at the government's performance on empowerment and what it should consider for the future in the light of its plans for a new Empowerment White Paper in an article in the Guardian. (WTYL 17/03/08)
• Community archives and identities: documenting and sustaining community heritage project This project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council for 20 months (from Feb 2008) is being researched at University College London. It will investigate the importance of community archives, and in particular the role of these archives in the production of community identity via academic and popular public histories, exhibitions and other interactions. The outcome intended is a better understanding of the role of community archive initiatives in resisting misrepresentation and marginalisation, a clearer understanding of the relationship between formal archive professionals and the custodians of community archives and suggestions regarding best practice models for identifying and ensuring the long-term sustainability of significant community archives, both physical and virtual. For more information and details of the project team see: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/icarus/community-archives/ (WTYL 10/03/08)
• Community Care website. Briefings on “the bigger picture”
  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/List.aspx?NavigationID=153&SlotPageID=32 This expert guide section of the Community Care website has very readable briefings on a wide range of topics. Although intended for those involved in the social care sector these could be very useful background for library staff. Topics covered include Regeneration (WTYL 10/03/08)
• The following resources are all published by the Department of Communities and Local Government: Getting the message across: using media to reduce racial prejudice and discrimination http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/611667 Report (available to download) by Mike Sutton, Barbara Perry, Jonathon Parke and Catherine John-Baptiste; Community cohesion impact assessment and community conflict prevention tool: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/communitycohesiontool ; Predictors of community cohesion: multi-level modelling of the 2005 Citizenship Survey: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/682739 (WTYL 18/02/08 and www.irr.org.uk)
• Building communities: equality and diversity in action. Report of this Refugee Council conference held in November 2007 is now available to download from: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/eventsandtraining/conferences/
  archive/buildingcommunities.htm (WTYL 11/02/08)
• Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) website news page on community cohesion: This includes details of free downloadable guide to help local authorities produce and distribute information to migrants and information about a series of events to bring those working in community cohesion together to shape policy development, debate key issues and network with peers. Events are taking place on 27 February in Buckinghamshire, and 19 March in Taunton. Also includes an article from Boston Borough Council about dealing with increase in migrants and calling for more funding and sharing of knowledge. For details, see. http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=6902625 . (WTYL 11/02/08)
• The Government’s Response to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/681624 This document is the second of three elements of the government’s response to the report Our Shared Future (www.integrationandcohesion.org.uk ), published in June 2007 by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. This detailed document responds to each of the Commission’s recommendations and sets out a commitment to an ongoing programme of work, based around six key principles: A move away from a “one size fits all” approach; Mainstreaming of cohesion into wider policy areas; A national framework for local support and guidance; Integration of new migrants and existing communities; Building positive relationships; A stronger focus on what works. The final element of the response will be to develop a Cohesion Delivery Framework which will provide further advice for local authorities in delivering community cohesion, so that they can analyse the issues in their area and produce an action plan. The framework will be supported by examples of good practice available from a single website. (WTYL 11/02/08)
• Faithful communities: fostering cohesion? Tue 19 Feb, Sunderland, 11am-2pm, free. This event, organised by ippr north, will explore how best to build community cohesion in an inclusive way, encompassing culture, ethnicity and faith. It will explore recent initiatives such as the Commission on Integration and Cohesion and draw out the importance of building strong multi-faith communities in all areas of England. See http://www.ippr.org/ipprnorth/events/?id=2950 for full information and how to book. (WTYL 04/02/08)
• Building Community Cohesion Through Partnership, Thu 17 Apr, London 9.30-14.00. Major conference, organised by Inside Government, looking at key issues – more information at: http://www.insidegovernment.co.uk/communities/cohesion/index.php (WTYL 04/02/08)
• Faith, Cohesion and Community Development This new report by Malcolm James, published by Community Development Foundation, is an evaluation of the government’s Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund, containing valuable information for those working in a local authority. It looks at ways to involve faith groups in building cohesion, including the relationship between government and the faith sector, language and being understood, providing local community spaces, interfaith working, capacity building and funded groups and diversity of the sector. To download full report or executive summary see: http://www.cdf.org.uk/pooled/articles/BF_DOCART/view.asp?Q=BF_DOCART_298024 (WTYL 28/01/08)
• The power of belonging: identity, citizenship and community cohesion Shared identities are thought to contribute to a number of progressive goals, such as fostering communities in which people from different backgrounds get along well together, encouraging citizens to participate actively in public life and generating wider support for a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and income. This new identity politics is not without its critics - some on the right claim that it is a typically corrosive left-wing attempt to meddle with tradition, while others on the left claim it amounts to a return to a conservative politics of cultural assimilation. In this short report, the authors Ben Rogers and Rick Muir of ippr set out to test the claims of those who support this new agenda and interrogate its potential for furthering liberal and social democratic goals. Price £8.95, but the executive summary (which includes a mention of libraries) available to download at: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=568 . (WTYL 28/01/08)
• Culture connects communities Tue 26 February, London 2.30-5.30. There is an increasing emphasis being placed by Government on councils to enable their local communities to take a more active role in the shaping and delivery of public services. Other funders are also increasingly looking for more active involvement from users in new developments and programmes. This free seminar, organised by MLA London and London Councils will consider and discuss how museums, libraries and archives can contribute to this policy agenda through the building of innovative and sustainable community partnerships. Speakers include Helen Marsh from Communities and Local Government (CLG) talking about the DCLG’s Community Empowerment Action plan, Ben Hughes from BASSAC discussing the role of Community Anchors, Sally MacDonald from University College London on their Community Engagement Beacon Status, and Angela Fletcher from the London Borough of Sutton Heritage Service talking about their experience of working with their local communities. See: http://www.mlalondon.org.uk/news/index.cfm?ArticleID=1388 (WTYL 21/01/08)
• Place-shaping and sustainable communities: what's the role of museums, libraries & archives? A policy briefing for heads of service, managers & cultural portfolio holders on Tuesday 22 January 2008, 10am-2pm, Leeds Town Hall, Free (lunch inc.): http://www.mlayorkshire.org.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/
  @id=175&Section/@id=4549&Document/@id=30209&Session/
  @id=D_2nJr2lUQEYnnV3KbKoxM&parent=group_1 , followed by a participative workshop aimed at middle managers from museums, libraries and archives with strategic and operational responsibilities on Monday 3 March 2008, 10am-4pm, Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds, free (lunch inc.): http://www.mlayorkshire.org.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/
  @id=175&Section/@id=4549&Document/@id=30210&Session/
  @id=D_2nJr2lUQEYnnV3KbKoxM&parent=group_1 Visit the links for details and access to booking forms. (MLAY Professional Development & Training eBulletin Dec 2007)
• Papers and presentations at Migration Impacts Forum meeting 17 October 2007 http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/lawandpolicy/migrationimpactsforum/

  
  meeting17october2007/ See weblink above to access presentations including one by Rodney Green, Chief Executive of Leicester City Council on the topic of community cohesion. (WTYL 17/12/07 & LORECA e-bulletin December 07)
• An Action Plan for Community Empowerment: Building on Success http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/
  communityempowermentactionplan Produced October 2007 by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association, this action plan sets out activities in three key areas: Widening and deepening empowerment opportunities locally; Supporting and enabling people to take up empowerment opportunities; Strengthening local representative democracy. Views are welcome on the actions and questions set out in the plan (by 19 January 2008). There is an online forum for feedback at: http://haveyoursay.communities.gov.uk/forums/ (WTYL 26/11/07)
• Developing a community cohesion strategy in Barking & Dagenham http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/9-council/comm-cohesion/community-cohesion-main.html The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham's website includes information about the second community cohesion strategy and action plan adopted by the Dagenham & Barking Partnership, including how the strategy was developed and details of the Community Cohesion Survey Report. (WTYL 19/11/07)
• Making Links: 15 visions of community http://www.community-links.org/ourwork/makinglinks_page212.aspx New book celebrating the 30th anniversary of Community Links, drawing together varied views on our communities and the way we interact. (WTYL 19/11/07 and Kevin Harris of Local Level)
• The baby and the bath water: community cohesion and the funding crisis
  http://www.irr.org.uk/2007/november/ha000014.html Article by Jenny Bourne on the Institute of Race Relations website. (WTYL 12/11/07)
• Regional Integration Programme - Yorkshire and Humber
  http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=2&id=48
  See weblink above for more information and also details of the culture consultation, which aims to understand how culture relates to integration. If you're based in Yorkshire and Humber or can pass on to relevant contacts in this area, deadline to respond is 30 Nov 2007. (WTYL 12/11/07)
Public services at the crossroads www.ippr.org.uk/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=562
• Report from the think tank Institute of Public Policy Reserach, ippr. Its overarching theme is the fact that public services are not simply delivered to their users, but instead depend on a relationship of co-production in which the outcomes that we care about such as good health, high levels of skills and low rates of crime are the result of government, public services and citizens working effectively together. (WTYL 05/11/07)
• Strong and prosperous communities - The Local Government White Paper Implementation Plan: one year on http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/532485 Updated implementation plan, showing the progress made on how the Government is playing its part in implementing key proposals. (WTYL 05/11/07)
• John Pateman of Lincolnshire Libraries has written about how Cultural Services should get involved with Local Area Agreements in Update Magazine (UM 6 (11) Nov 2007 pp38-39)
• Understanding ModernGov is a series of interactive, information-led, exclusive courses designed for people working in the public, private and third sectors, to help them understand the mechanisms of central, regional and local government.” In the Spring list of courses http://www.moderngov.info/spring_courses.php , they have “Understanding good relations and community cohesion”, 19 Feb 2008, London. (WTYL 29/10/07)
• Libraries at the heart of learning in communities across England are set for a multi-million modernising makeover funded with £80 million by the Big Lottery Fund. Some 58 library authorities are being given grants of between £250,000 and £2 million each from BIG’s Community Libraries funding to renovate, extend or build new libraries so that they can offer a broader range of activities to their communities. Building on the strong community link that libraries already have, the £80 million investment from BIG will help attract groups and individuals who may not have utilised their libraries. See: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_301007_eng_cl_modernising
  _makeover?regioncode=-uk for more information. A full list of the 58 library projects to receive funding can be found at: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_301007_eng_libraries_awards (WTYL 30/10/07)
• Unison have a new comapign leaflet 'Defend the Public Library Service' in which they argue 'Libraries must be seen as key to community cohesion and educational achievement, not just another privatisation opportunity.' PDFs of the leaflet can be downloaded from www.unison.org.uk/localgov/library.asp (UM 6 (10) Oct 2007 pg 5)
• Government response to Our shared future http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/
  pdf/hazelblearsletter Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, has written a letter to Chair of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, Darra Singh. It outlines the Government's plan of action following the publication on 14 June 2007 of the commission's final report, Our shared future, and stresses the role that local authorities need to play in building cohesive communities. (WTYL 15/10/07)
• MLA Yorkshire's Big Day 8th November 2007, Bradford, National Media Museum. The theme is 'How our sector makes a difference to...' and one aspect of this is ...communities'. (MLAY 08/10/07)
• Toolkit for linking: opportunities and challenges http://www.ukowla.org.uk/main/toolkit.asp Produced by the UK One World Linking Association, this toolkit (available via the Web or in hard copy) sets out ways of developing successful linking. “Linking aims to create relationships between diverse cultures which benefits both partners.” There is also a series of leaflets aimed at different sectors. Click here for the local government one. (WTYL 08/10/07)
• MLA's list of Community Engagement Resources (Mary Harrington, Doncaster Libraries)
• The Living Library Seminar, Weds 24 Oct, 2-4.30pm, London http://neighbourhoods.typepad.com/neighbourhoods/files/
  living_library_seminar_blurb_web.pdf ‘Living Library’ gives direct access to someone else’s experience, by allowing people to ‘borrow’ someone who is an expert in their field, has significant experience to share, or is passionate about a hobby. ‘Loans’ take the form of a conversation, and can last for half an hour, a morning or an afternoon. The Living Library has been developed in a number of countries and this seminar has been organised to share experiences from Australia and Belgium, which clearly illustrate the contribution that library, museum and archive services can make to community cohesion. (WTYL 24/09/07) Booking Forms from Linda Constable, 07717 650670 linda@lindaconstable.com (Library & Information Gazette 5-18 Oct 2007 p9)
• Community Engagement through Reading: a pro-active role for public libraries, Friday 30 November, London http://www.lga.gov.uk/Event.asp?lSection=0&id=-A7846A72 Conference organised by the LGA & The Reading Agency. (WTYL 24/09/07) This conference, organised by the Local Government Association and The Reading Agency, explores the positive role that public libraries' work with readers can play in delivering the community engagement ambitions of the Local Government White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities. (WTYLJ 03/09/07)
• Resource on Improvement & Devlopment Agency (IDeA) website on community cohesion This resource supports councils who want to work with partners and their communities to promote interaction and foster positive community relations. There is useful advice as well as a growing bank of case studies. [WTYL 13/08/07]
• The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published guidance on the duty to promote community cohesion. The link above is to a series of case studies and there is a link to the actual guidance at the bottom of the page. Although this relates specifically to schools, there are opportunities for public libraries to link in and contribute to this work in partnership with their local schools. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/Communitycohesion/
  Community_cohesion_case_studies/ [WTYL 30/07/07]
• Commission on Integration & Cohesion (CIC) reports:
  • Integration and cohesion case studies, including “Refugees into Libraries” (Leicester) and “Libraries Connect” (Hull). [WTYL 16/07/07]
  • Our Shared Future . The report focuses on 4 key themes: the sense of shared futures (an emphasis on articulating what binds communities together rather than what differences divide them); an emphasis on a new model of rights and responsibilities; an ethics of hospitality (a new emphasis on mutual respect and civility that recognises that alongside the need to strengthen the social bonds within groups, the pace of change across the country reconfigures local communities rapidly, meaning that mutual respect is fundamental to issues of integration and cohesion); and a commitment to equality that sits alongside the need to deliver visible social justice, to prioritise transparency and fairness, and build trust in the institutions that arbitrate between groups. Annexe E includes the Commission’s position on translation, which again has been a key focus of media reporting. [WTYL 18/06/07] According to Update Magazine (pg 15), Libraries have 'surprisingly poor visibility' in the final report of the Commission on Integration & Cohesion. (UM 6 & [7-8] July/ August 2007)
  • What Works in Community Cohesion This research study, conducted for Communities and Local Government and the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, includes a glowing write-up of the PHF-funded "Libraries Connect" programme in Hull. [WTYL 18/06/07] and includes coverage of policy and practice in six case study areas: Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Hull, Peterborough and Tower Hamlets. The Hull case study draws on the proactive work of the public library service - see p121 onwards. (WTYLJ 28/08/07)
  • Bringing Communities and People Together (by Comedia) which has a section on libraries (p24-26) in a chapter on Potential Zones of Encounter and Interaction. It highlights two examples from Denmark and the Idea Stores in Tower Hamlets in London.
• Informal education website. Useful feature on social capital http://www.infed.org/biblio/social_capital.htm A very useful introduction to the notion of social capital and debates about the nature of civil society - relevant to thinking about the role of public libraries in communities, including the Welcome To Your Library project. The whole website has useful background reading. http://www.infed.org [WTYL 21/05/07]

Community Mapping

Community Consultation & Engagement

Resources for Community Groups & working with Community Groups