Communities

sinto_gilly — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:03:37 CDT

This page looks at Community COHESION, Community MAPPING, Community CONSULTATION, and also lists RESOURCES for Community GROUPS

Main Related Pages on this Wiki:

Culture & Religion
IT Access (espcially under Websites)

NB To see the guide to the abbreviations used to indicate original sources see the Social Inclusion Information main page

New Stuff

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)
Empowering communities: achieving local improvement, accountability, and opportunities through community involvement and leadership 30th September, Central London. The Empowerment White Paper will propose greater public involvement in decision-making, budgets, service delivery and much more. Closer working with communities is not just a duty but a great opportunity to unlock local improvement and redesign public services. This Local Government Chronicle event aims to offer clear guidance on future empowerment policy and help you manage its practical implications. Get a firm understanding of the opportunities, risks and potential to effectively drive forward local empowerment with your community and partners. For more information on speakers, programme and how to register, see: http://www.lgc-empowerment.com/homepage.asp (WTYL 23/06/08)
Delivering Local Outcomes Through Libraries 12th June 2008, Liverpool. Delegates will look at how to engage communities and work with the third sector through the Community Assets Fund. They will also hear how the fund and other approaches can be used to generate additional revenue. Leading speakers will also present best practice in advocating and linking libraries with wider cultural and community strategies in order to promote access and deliver positive outcomes. See weblink for programme details and how to book. Two of the speakers announced so far, Tony Durcan and John Keane, work for local authority library services which participated in Welcome To Your Library. See: http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/se218/index.html (WTYL 02/06/08)
In his article, Lincolnshire’s fundamental review: affordability and sustainability in Update Magazine, John Pateman reports that the community consultation carried out during this process ‘has been recognised as evidence of best practice in community engagement by the Consultation Institute’. (UM 7 [5] May 2008 p36)
Delivering Local Outcomes and Targets through Libraries conference will be held in Liverpool on 12th June. Contact andrew.almond@neilstewartassociates.co.uk (UM 7 [5] May 2008)
In a Film about Living Library in Malmö Sweden, Mariana van Zeller visits a library in Sweden that loans out humans of all shapes and sizes as a means of promoting tolerance and understanding. See: http://current.com/items/76292762_living_library A number of Living Library events are currently taking place or planned in the UK. See: http://neighbourhoods.typepad.com/neighbourhoods/2008/04/living-library.html Kevin Harris’s Neighbourhoods blog for more information (WTYL 05/05/08)
The right 'man' for the job? The role of empathy in community librarianship – research from University of Sheffield, Dept of Information Studies: http://www.shef.ac.uk/is/research/centres/cplis/research/rightman.html [Also mentioned in WTYL 05/05/08 giving the link to the full script: http://www.shef.ac.uk/content/1/c6/07/85/14/AHRC%202006-8%20final%20report%2004.08.pdf ]
Four Canadian libraries (Vancouver, Toronto, Regina and Halifax), have put together a toolkit for working with communities which "offers eight Tools for use by library staff as they work out in community spaces with socially excluded individuals. The Toolkit is based in the Project’s real-life experiences and the lessons shared are based on some of our challenges and successes". This 'Community-Led Libraries Tool-kit' is at: http://librariesincommunities.ca/resources/Community-Led_Libraries_Toolkit.pdf (Libraran Activist Blog 01/05/08: http://www.librarianactivist.org/2008/05/01/economic-inequality-social-exclusion-and-libraries/)

Community Cohesion & Integration

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

Citizenship Survey April-September 2007, England & Wales Published by Communities and Local Government Department. Download the survey at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/650953 (WTYL 28/01/08)
Government Office Fact Files http://www.gos.gov.uk/facts/ Website currently has Fact Files available for 38 cities and nine regions. Each Fact File contains key information for the place, including statistics provided by ONS, council composition and council tax bands, and information from the Government Offices. (WTYL 19/11/07)
Results of citizenship survey England and Wales April-June 2007
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/
citizenshipsurveyaprjun2007 This release provides headline findings from the first quarter of the 2007-08 Citizenship Survey, covering April-June 2007. It is divided into three sections covering active and empowered communities, community cohesion, and racial prejudice and discrimination. (WTYL 15/10/07)
A report by the Greenwich Policy Team, as a good example of how to map new communities arriving into your area, has been placed on the WTYL Website by Gerard Lewis of Grennwich Libraries – see the foot of the page at: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/editorial.asp?page_id=76 [WTYL 06/08/07]
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Mapping Exercises for communities in the UK (scroll to the bottom of the page): These are intended to identify main channels of communication and location of potential beneficiaries of the IOM's voluntary return programme. However, the information is also potentially very useful general background information for library staff about different communities in the UK. The IOM's mapping exercises for communities in the UK include: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladeshi, Brazil, China, DRC, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraqi, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Punjab, Somali, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe. (WTYLJ 28/08/07)
Show case of interesting work by Community Links: http://www.community-links.org/default.aspx (Refugees and Asylum seekers) and http://www.community-links.org/ourwork.evidencepapers_page25.aspx 'The Uncounted' is a good intro to finding out about communities that exist outside of official systems.

Community Consultation & Engagement

Laura Swaffield reports on TRA & LGA's conference Reading - a key to Community Engagement in Update Magazine, describing six, varied library projects (in Staffordshire, Newham, E. Midlands, Essex, Newcastle and Manchester) (UM 7 [4] April 2008 p21)

The Community Power Pack has been produced by Communities and Local Government (CLG) working with INVOLVE. It contains all the information needed to run a participative event on Empowerment. It is aimed at groups who wouldn't normally take part to let their views and experiences be known. The pack is as practical and easy to use as possible. It contains suggestions on how to run an event, with advice for facilitators and organisers as well as detailed information about empowerment issues. It also poses some questions around empowerment issues that CLG would like to hear your views on. The results of the events will feed into the development of the upcoming Community Empowerment White paper. For more information and to download the pack see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/powerpack (WTYL 21/04/08 and newsletter from www.involve.org.uk)

An overview of the baseline for community engagement in libraries http://www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets/C/community_libs_eval_12857.pdf This important research has established a baseline which the MLA and Big Lottery Fund will use to evaluate the programme in future years – also includes a list of six areas for improvement: development of vision & goals; community segmentation; organisational transformation; effective communications; development of ‘real’ social networks; need for improved/clearer methods for evaluating impacts. (WTYL 07/04/08)

Deliberative Public Engagement in Decision Making – Principles for Effective Practice - Involve and the National Consumer Council together with Diane Warburton at Shared Practice and Lindsey Colbourne at the Sustainable Development Commission are developing a set of best practice principles to improve the quality and impact of deliberative public engagement processes. A draft of the principles has been posted on the Involve wiki for comments and discussion. To read and comment on the principles: http://groups.involving.org/display/Principles/Deliberative+Public+Engagement+in+Decision+Making+-+Principles+for+Effective+Practice;jsessionid=871A1D626AA9B6594CF27B711E783B31 For more information contact karin@involve.org.uk (WTYL 25/02/08)

MLA are organising free one day seminars on community engagement until April for front line staff working directly with local communities. John Vincent of The Network and Cathy Harman, consultant, will be the trainers: http://www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/framework/framework_programmes/
community_engagement/ or contact Batool.Khan@mla.gov.uk (UM 7 (1-2) Jan/Feb 2008 p7)

Working more effectively with communities, Mon 11 Feb, BSVC, Birmingham http://www.fcdl.org.uk/events/ The Federation for Community Development Learning is a partner in the National Empowerment Partnership, sponsored by Communities and Local Government department. One of the projects it is undertaking is to run an inter-active and participatory workshop and produce a ‘How to’ Guide that will provide support to the ever increasing range of workers across many policy areas (health, housing, environment, regeneration, sustainable communities, anti-poverty …..) who need to develop their skills and understanding in how to engage and work effectively with communities. . The workshop and lunch are free but there will be a £20 deposit, returnable on attendance. Places are limited and FCDL is aiming for a balance of both people who aren’t Community Development (CD) workers, and experienced CD workers. (WTYL 28/01/08/ diversity-forum@mailtalk.ac.uk)

Their Past Your Future 2 http://www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//T/
TPYF2_yr_1_projects_12500.pdf The successful bids have just been announced. (WTYL 17/10/07). Projects that will be funded in the SINTO region include (& include 'Community Groups'): Yorkshire Waterways Museum (Based in Goole, veterans, community groups and schools will work together to develop an exhibition around the social and economic impact of WWII on the local area and its people); Cannon Hall Museum (veterans and young people will work together to produce an e-learning package looking at personal experiences of conflict and the legacies of these for succeeding generations); Leeds Libraries (the Relay project involving community groups, including refugee groups, sharing perspectives on conflict through creative writing and technology); Wakefield Cultural Services and Libraries (work with young people to create a databank of war stories to increase understanding of 'commemoration, remembrance, and citizenship'); North Yorkshire County Record Office (prisoners in Northallerton to work with archives to create learning journeys).

Participation Nation: The Challenge of Reconnection http://www.involve.org.uk/home New pamphlet from INVOLVE which brings together 17 leading thinkers and practitioners from government, local authorities, think-tanks and NGOs to discuss the role of the citizen in the public realm. Available for download from the INVOLVE website or £10 by mail order from info@involve.org.uk (WTYL 17/12/07)

There is an article 'Winning the lottery: the successful Community Libraries' by James Nichol and Sarah Wilkie in Update Magazine, looking at the successful bidders' ideas 'to increase and enhance spaces for a broader range of activities agreed with more input from communities'. (UM Dec 2007 Vol 6 (12) pp34-37)

Audiences Yorkshire’s Conference, Let’s Stick Together, 29 November 2007, Leeds, is all about building and developing relationships with audiences through Customer Relationship Management (CRM). It will explore ways of retaining existing audiences and suggest practical approaches you can use to ensure your audiences stick with you. For more information just click on the flyer below or go to: www.audiencesyorkshire.org.uk (this link didn't work when I tried it, but might be working again soon. You can also access a PDF flyer for the event from the MLAY website:
http://www.mlayorkshire.org.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/
@id=175&Section/@id=4545&Document/@id=29839&Session/
@id=D_1k3UvW5RYym1vOQOW6LA&parent=group_1 ) (MLAY 22/11/07)

Community Engagement through Reading: 30 November 2007. The Reading Agency, in partnership with The Local Government Association, is to hold this conference which will explore 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. It will examine the vital role that reading can play as a community engagement tool for libraries and as a partnership base with other sectors. You can also access a PDF flyer for the event from the MLAY website: http://www.mlayorkshire.org.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/@id=175&Section/@id=4545&Document/@id=29840&Session/
@id=D_Ne2F3A8MnH581lSQ61Dl&parent=group_1 (MLAY 22/11/07)

People and participation http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/Involve/Home This new interactive website has just been launched by Involve ( http://www.involve.org.uk/home ) and aims to help those seeking to engage with the public to select participatory methods based on their specific circumstances . It includes a comprehensive methods database, covering over 30 traditional and innovative approaches to public participation from around the world, case studies, resources and a section for users to post questions. The site is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Justice and the Sustainable Development Commission. (WTYL 05/11/07)

For information on Birmingham Libraries' six month community consultation concerning the demolition of Birchfield Library and the plan to replace it with a mulit-purpose building see www.birmingham.gov.uk/birchfieldconsultation (UM 6 & [6] June 2007)

Update Magazine for September has two articles on Community Consultation: one by Jenny Salisbury (Essex); one by Mary Keane (Bolton) (UM September)

Resources for Community Groups

Big Lottery People's Millions Launched The People's Millions programme, now in its fourth year, was launched on 19th March. Five awards of up to £50,000 will be available in each of ITV's 18 regions, for projects that improve and enrich communities. Organisations have until 15 May to enter: the final project shortlist will be announced on 29 October. The People's Millions contest will be televised on ITV from 24-28 November and the public in each region will vote for the winners. For information on this programme and to find out how to get hold of an application pack, please call the Big Advice Line on 08454 10 20 30 or see: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_peoples_millions.htm. (WTYL 07/04/08 and MLA SE e-bulletin 45) [Also see item below]
Projects that can promote a better understanding of 20th century conflict are invited to apply for cash from a £420,000 fund. Their Past Your Future 2 is the second phase of a hugely successful three-year Big Lottery Fund programme. The money is available for museums, libraries and archives in England who can develop programmes, workshops, exhibitions and events which increase community and intergenerational learning and young people’s knowledge and understanding of the impact and contemporary significance of conflict. Eve Pattinson, Their Past Your Future Project Manager at MLA, said: “Projects based around themes of remembrance and commemoration, citizenship, diversity, conflict resolution and peacekeeping enable young people and their communities to learn from past conflicts... Museums, libraries and archives are ideal partners for such work as they provide the opportunity to see, touch and discuss objects, learn new research techniques and ultimately provide us with a new and enhanced dimension to the way in which we view our history.” The fund will close on the 23 May 2008. Successful projects will be notified at the end of June 2008. The ceiling amount for a single project request for funding from MLA is £10,000. For more information, see: http://www.mla.gov.uk/programmes/their_past_your_future/tpyf_intro (WTYL
VOICE software and toolkit to help Community Groups set up their own websites: see article by Helen Leach in Update Magazine and: www.e-voice.org.uk (UM Nov 06 Vol 5 (11))
Website toolkit for community groups: http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/I/insite/index.html

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