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

2. LE Cambridge 20032 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.

3. LE Cambridge 20033 Leading principles of EQUAL Partnership Partnership Thematic approach: Theme E – Promoting lifelong learning and inclusive work practices for those suffering discrimination and inequality Thematic approach: Theme E – Promoting lifelong learning and inclusive work practices for those suffering discrimination and inequality Transnationality Transnationality Empowerment/participation Empowerment/participation Innovation Innovation Dissemination and Mainstreaming Dissemination and Mainstreaming

4. LE Cambridge 20034 We are at the intersection of three policy strands Lifelong Learning Employment Social inclusion

5. LE Cambridge 20035 EU policy Full employment has always been a central preoccupation of EU policy Full employment has always been a central preoccupation of EU policy Lifelong learning has been on the agenda for 15- 20 years Lifelong learning has been on the agenda for 15- 20 years 1995 was European Year of Lifelong Learning 1995 was European Year of Lifelong Learning The Lisbon Summit of 2000 restated the need for lifelong learning & pointed out weaknesses in basic skills The Lisbon Summit of 2000 restated the need for lifelong learning & pointed out weaknesses in basic skills

6. LE Cambridge 20036 eEurope Action Plan A cheaper, faster and secure Internet A cheaper, faster and secure Internet Investing in people and skills 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

7. LE Cambridge 20037 E-learning Action Plan Encouragement of infrastructure development Encouragement of infrastructure development European area of lifelong learning European area of lifelong learning Create local Learning Centres (in universities and libraries) Create local Learning Centres (in universities and libraries) Special efforts for disadvantaged people Special efforts for disadvantaged people

8. LE Cambridge 20038 European Programmes All these activities to be carried out in IST FP6 (and 5) Socrates Leonardo da Vinci PETRAFORCE

9. LE Cambridge 20039 The UK: lifelong learning Learning for the 21 st Century Learning for the 21 st Century The Learning Age (1998) The Learning Age (1998) –Learning in the community –Making the most of libraries –Quality Standards Learning to SucceedLearning to Succeed More coherent planning & funding, set up Learning & Skills Council

10. LE Cambridge 200310 Basic Skills A Fresh Start (Moser, 1998) 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

11. LE Cambridge 200311 Basic Skills (2) Skills for Life strategy sets up national standards, national tests Skills for Life strategy sets up national standards, national tests Funding through LSCs and Regional Development Agencies Funding through LSCs and Regional Development Agencies ABSSU to guide, train and support ABSSU to guide, train and support This year, new Skills Strategy White Paper This year, new Skills Strategy White Paper to give free learning to adults, adds ICT as the third essential ‘skill for life’

12. LE Cambridge 200312 Social Inclusion In 1998, Government set up a Social Exclusion Unit In 1998, Government set up a Social Exclusion Unit It identified main reasons as poverty and lack of opportunity It identified main reasons as poverty and lack of opportunity Stimulated Government towards ‘Neighbourhood renewal’ policies Stimulated Government towards ‘Neighbourhood renewal’ policies

13. LE Cambridge 200313 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. 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% 2901 libraries are connected, i.e. 70% In our region 277 of 296 libraries are on, but only 85 libraries (27%) have broadband 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. The Broadband Education Report calls for all libraries to have broadband. Wi-fi ‘hotspots’ experiments Wi-fi ‘hotspots’ experiments

14. LE Cambridge 200314 e-Learning UK Online – 6000 established centres UK Online – 6000 established centres Learndirect – wider range of provision, supported environment. Learndirect – wider range of provision, supported environment. Many centres in libraries Many centres in libraries

15. LE Cambridge 200315 Library structures and roles In UK, public libraries run by Local Authorities In UK, public libraries run by Local Authorities Most are associated with Education Departments Most are associated with Education Departments Mainstream Education policies, especially towards schools, Adult & Community education (but not FE or HE) 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 Government Department responsible for libraries is DCMS, Advised by Resource, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries

16. LE Cambridge 200316 Other policy trends Empowering the Learning Community Empowering the Learning Community Libraries for All – social inclusion Libraries for All – social inclusion Inspiring Learning for All is currently developing Resource programme Inspiring Learning for All is currently developing Resource programme –Learning Outcomes Toolkit

17. LE Cambridge 200317 Framework for the Future Framework is essentially a ‘vision piece’ by DCMS 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. 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

18. LE Cambridge 200318 Other learning Agencies Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit NIACE (National Intitute for Adult & Community Education) NIACE (National Intitute for Adult & Community Education) NGfL (National Grid for Learning) NGfL (National Grid for Learning) University for Industry University for Industry

19. LE Cambridge 200319 Funding for Learning Learning & Skills Councils – funding & planning education and training for over 16 year olds.£8bn funding (2003-4). Includes Adult & Community 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) EEDA (East of England Dvelopment Agency) works on skills with LSCs. Produces an Action Plan (FRESA)

20. LE Cambridge 200320 Local networks Information, Advice and Guidance networks – often involve libraries Information, Advice and Guidance networks – often involve libraries Local Learning Partnerships Local Learning Partnerships Neighbourhood Learning Partnerships Neighbourhood Learning Partnerships

21. LE Cambridge 200321 Issues for Librarians Are libraries happy with their role in learning? Are libraries happy with their role in learning? Do they want to move into accredited learning? Do they want to move into accredited learning? National Skills curriculum/National Tests? National Skills curriculum/National Tests? Should they train staff as tutors? Should they train staff as tutors? Funding becomes more complicated – ‘core funding’, national & regional project funding, Euro funding 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.