Libraries and Learning

1. Libraries and Learning UK policy and practice LE Cambridge 2003

2. Aims of the EQUAL programme EQUALis designed to test & promote new ways of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities faced by those groups most disadvantaged in the labour market, both those in work and those seeking work, through transnational cooperation. These groups include women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, older workers, refugees, ex-offenders, drugs and alcohol misusers. EQUAL will also include action to help the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers. LE Cambridge 2003

3. Leading principles of EQUAL • Partnership • Thematic approach: Theme E – Promoting lifelong learning and inclusive work practices for those suffering discrimination and inequality • Transnationality • Empowerment/participation • Innovation • Dissemination and Mainstreaming LE Cambridge 2003

4. We are at the intersection of three policy strands Lifelong Learning Employment Social inclusion LE Cambridge 2003

5. EU policy • Full employment has always been a central preoccupation of EU policy • Lifelong learning has been on the agenda for 15-20 years • 1995 was European Year of Lifelong Learning • The Lisbon Summit of 2000 restated the need for lifelong learning & pointed out weaknesses in basic skills LE Cambridge 2003

6. eEurope Action Plan • A cheaper, faster and secure Internet • Investing in people and skills • European youth into the digital age • Working in the knowledge based economy • Participation for all in the knowledge based economy • Stimulate the use of the Internet LE Cambridge 2003

7. E-learning Action Plan • Encouragement of infrastructure development • European area of lifelong learning • Create local Learning Centres (in universities and libraries) • Special efforts for disadvantaged people LE Cambridge 2003

8. European Programmes All these activities to be carried out in IST FP6 (and 5) Socrates Leonardo da Vinci PETRA FORCE LE Cambridge 2003

9. The UK: lifelong learning Learning for the 21st Century The Learning Age (1998) Learning in the community Making the most of libraries Quality Standards Learning to Succeed More coherent planning & funding, set up Learning & Skills Council LE Cambridge 2003

10. Basic Skills • A Fresh Start (Moser, 1998) • Found that 7m people in UK had poor literacy and numeracy skills Led to Skills for Life,the national strategy Which aims to improve basic skills of 750 000 people by 2004 These include unemployed, benefit claimants, low skilled people in employment, homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers, lone parents, disadvantaged communities LE Cambridge 2003

11. Basic Skills (2) • Skills for Life strategy sets up national standards, national tests • Funding through LSCs and Regional Development Agencies • ABSSU to guide, train and support • This year, new Skills Strategy White Paper to give free learning to adults, adds ICT as the third essential ‘skill for life’ LE Cambridge 2003

12. Social Inclusion • In 1998, Government set up a Social Exclusion Unit • It identified main reasons as poverty and lack of opportunity • Stimulated Government towards ‘Neighbourhood renewal’ policies LE Cambridge 2003

13. Libraries and learning infrastructure Following the ‘Building he New Library Network the People’s Network project was launched, to put computer internet connections into every UK public library. 2901 libraries are connected, i.e. 70% In our region 277 of 296 libraries are on, but only 85 libraries (27%) have broadband The Broadband Education Report calls for all libraries to have broadband. Wi-fi ‘hotspots’ experiments LE Cambridge 2003

14. e-Learning • UK Online – 6000 established centres • Learndirect – wider range of provision, supported environment. • Many centres in libraries LE Cambridge 2003

15. Library structures and roles • In UK, public libraries run by Local Authorities • Most are associated with Education Departments • Mainstream Education policies, especially towards schools, Adult & Community education (but not FE or HE) • Government Department responsible for libraries is DCMS, Advised by Resource, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries LE Cambridge 2003

16. Other policy trends • Empowering the Learning Community • Libraries for All – social inclusion • Inspiring Learning for All is currently developing Resource programme • Learning Outcomes Toolkit LE Cambridge 2003

17. Framework for the Future • Framework is essentially a ‘vision piece’ by DCMS • It focuses on libraries’ role in developing reading and learning, digital skills and services, community cohesion and civic values. Appears to offer no new funding LE Cambridge 2003

18. Other learning Agencies • Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit • NIACE (National Intitute for Adult & Community Education) • NGfL (National Grid for Learning) • University for Industry LE Cambridge 2003

19. Funding for Learning • Learning & Skills Councils – funding & planning education and training for over 16 year olds. £8bn funding (2003-4). Includes Adult & Community Learning. • EEDA (East of England Dvelopment Agency) works on skills with LSCs. Produces an Action Plan (FRESA) LE Cambridge 2003

20. Local networks • Information, Advice and Guidance networks – often involve libraries • Local Learning Partnerships • Neighbourhood Learning Partnerships LE Cambridge 2003

21. Issues for Librarians • Are libraries happy with their role in learning? • Do they want to move into accredited learning? • National Skills curriculum/National Tests? • Should they train staff as tutors? • Funding becomes more complicated – ‘core funding’, national & regional project funding, Euro funding LearnEast is trying to deal with at least some of these issues in its mainstreaming activity. LE Cambridge 2003