Lifelong Learning in Hertfordshire Libraries

Hertfordshire n Population of 1 million –4% minority ethnic groups –1% unemployment –25% of workforce commute out of county n Relatively affluent County but with pockets of deprivation –5 Hertfordshire wards in the top quartile of deprivation

Geography n No natural centre or industrial conurbation n Contrasts between –urban v rural –villages v new towns –London facing v Eastern Region n 10 District Councils within the County n University of Herts and 4 FE Colleges

Hertfordshire Libraries n 52 Libraries plus 10 mobile libraries n Newer or refurbished libraries have purpose built IT suites (St. Albans, Hitchin) n Many libraries in old buildings - difficult to convert for IT and lifelong learning. n Need for a flexible approach

Strategic Learning Partnerships n Hertfordshire Learning Partnership n Local Learning Partnerships/Forums n Hertfordshire Libraries Agreement n Information Advice and Guidance Partnership (PLUM) n Hertfordshire e-Learning Partnership - LearnDirect

Libraries Support for Lifelong Learning n Information on ‘work and learning’ in all libraries - printed and electronic. n Free access to ICT and study facilities n Trained staff - ECDL, Equalities training n Promotion of learning initiatives –Adult Learner’s Week –Family Learning Weekend

Courses delivered by library staff n IT and Internet Taster Sessions n Courses for Jobseekers n Courses for tutors n Guided self-help sessions n On-line Learning - BBC Webwise

Additional Learning in Libraries n Locally funded initiatives –Single Regeneration Budget projects in Stevenage and Oxhey n Homework Clubs –Borehamwood, Oxhey, Stevenage n Partnerships with FE Colleges –Hitchin, and Oxhey

Additional Learning in Libraries n Partnerships with District councils –Dacorum Rural Learning Project –Welwyn Hatfield Over 70s project n LearnDirect

Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) n HertsDirect Website n Plumworks Website n Guidance Council Accreditation Pilot at Stevenage n Referral to IAG partners n Referral procedures for Basic Skills training, ESOL etc.

Advantages n Allows for local flexibility n Libraries are identified as popular learning venues - informal, neutral, local, helpful. n Builds on traditional library services n Builds on community contacts n Partners keen to work with libraries - not seen as competition

Challenges n Uneven provision across the County n Complexity of different partnership arrangements and procedures n Staffing –Parameters of library staff responsibility –Training –Commitment of staff time difficult to measure

Based on four local projects n Bangladeshi community in St Albans n Pakistani community in Watford n Indian community in Hitchin n Lone parents and unemployed people in Welwyn Hatfield LearnEast in Hertfordshire

Local objectives for LearnEast n Build stronger local partnerships n Proactive approaches to disadvantaged communities n Monitor progress of learners n Portfolio of learning opportunities n Raise profile of libraries with disadvantaged groups n Evaluation of impact