This Group was formed in 2002 for people interested in the topic of 'Social Inclusion' - this term is used to cover any factor that affects equality of access to services. These might be class, cultural, physical, social or sensory barriers. This group meets at regular intervals to network and share information about good practice on social inclusion. Organising training for social inclusion is an important role. This group is relevant to both public and academic libraries (while recognising that their agendas sometimes differ). Any SINTO member organisation can send a representative to meetings of this group. If you would like to be involved please send details of a contact name (or names) to the SINTO office.

Other Relevant Pages on this Wiki:

• Abolition of Slave Trade.
• Social Inclusion Information - general info, followed by these sub pages:

1. Visual Impairment
2. Hearing Impairment
3. Mental Health & Health Information
4. Physical Access & Mobility
5. IT Access
6. Culture & Religion
7. Language
8. Asylum Seekers & Refugees
9. Travellers
10. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
11. Families
12. Looked After Children
13. Reading Difficulties
14. Communities

Comments & discussion on the Group's name

These are comments that came in when the Group considered a name change in the Autumn of 2007. As no consensus emerged, it was decided to keep the Group's original name for the time being.

• John Vincent, The Network (05/10/07):
  I'm not objecting to the change of title at all (it's up to the main members of the Group to decide what they call it), but I would challenge the assertion that "social inclusion" is being less used!
  In terms of Government policy, there's still an emphasis on tackling social exclusion (which is the term I've always preferred), within a framework that includes community engagement and community cohesion. I guess the over-riding strategy would be social justice.
  My suggestion would be that to call the Group the "Inclusion Group" is neither here-nor-there! Why not either stay with Social Inclusion, or move away entirely to, for example, the Social Justice Group, or something with "Community" in its title?
  Just some thoughts!!
• Briony Birdi, University of Sheffield Dept of Information Studies (05/10/07):
  I agree with John's comments, and while I would not strongly object to a change, I feel that the term 'Social Inclusion' has a more obvious focus than the more general concept 'Inclusion'. It's still highly relevant and widely understood, in my view. Would also be happy to consider other suggested terms.
• Bernard Furnival, Sheffield Hallam University (08/10/07)
  Has anyone suggested renaming the group the community engagement group on grounds that this agenda covers all communities - not just geographical ones but also communities of interest?
• Sue Cook, Sheffield Libraries (09/10/07)
  I agree with Briony, Inclusion is too loose a term to describe the work of the group, a bit meaningless. It's not my experience 'social inclusion' is going out of use
• Extract from minutes of 27th September 2007 relating to this debate: 07.20 Matters arising:
  07.15 Information Round Up, Sheffield Libraries: The issue of 'social inclusion' and also the role of libraries and librarians within Public Authority structures continue to be subjects of debate and change: At both Wakefield and Doncaster, 'Access' is the more usual terminology, with 'access' being part of front-line staff roles. These front-line staff are managed by Customer Services managers, not professional librarians, thus it can be difficult to implement social inclusion initiatives, events and awareness training within the library service without going through an alternative chain of management. At Lincolnshire, the Multicultural Development Service is now the Access Team working under 'Community Engagement' in the Directorate of Culture, Education and Communities. The Access Team will be working alongside Libraries amongst other services in the Directorate. These changes will come into place on 1st October, and it is hoped this will be a good framework for increasing inclusion within the whole Directorate. [NB This outline of Lincolnshire's new structure is not exact and was amended in the next minutes - but you get the gist. Gilly]