Monday 20 August 2007

Latest WTYL Digest (20 Aug 2007)

Welcome to Your Library Website: http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/default.asp

Welcome to your Library Jiscmail List: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/wtyl.html

WTYL Digest - 20 August 2007.


Dear All
This digest has been compiled by Helen Carpenter (Welcome to Your Library) and John Vincent (The Network). To send a message to all subscribers e-mail wtyl@jiscmail.ac.uk. To contact Helen Carpenter and/or John Vincent use e-mail addresses at the end of this digest.
Conferences
The Future of Cultural and Leisure Services - the shape of things to come
Thu 20 Sep 2007, Barbican Centre, London EC2
Conference supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Arts Council England, Sport England, English Heritage and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The event will look at how cultural and leisure services can respond to and deliver new policy developments, exploring how these services can raise their profile by creating maximum impacts on local outcomes and performance. Speakers include: Rt Hon James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sir Michael Bichard, Rector, University of the Arts London. Paul Bristow, Policy Advisor for Local Government at MLA , will lead a seminar session on "Consulting and Engaging with Communities on their Priorities." For further information and to register see weblink above.
Building strong local communities: delivering community cohesion in London
16 October 2007, Clothworkers' Hall, London
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?docId=20300
For programme and online booking form see weblink above.
Events
Exiled Lit Cafe. Women's Voices and Conflict: Arab and Jewish poets
Mon 3 Sep Poetry Cafe, Betterton St, London WC2 7.30pm
http://www.exiledwriters.co.uk/cafe.shtml
See weblink above for more information.
Opportunities
Their Past Your Future (Phase 2) Grant Programme (2007-2010)
http://www.mla.gov.uk/website/aboutus/grants
Closing date for applicants in first year of Phase 2 funding: 19 October 2007
The MLA Partnership is managing an annual grant programme for the second phase open to all museums, libraries and archives in England. The programme will offer funding for the sector to use their collections to explore innovative and creative ways of increasing community learning and young people's knowledge and understanding of the impact and significance of conflict. More details, application guidance and forms at weblink above.
Further details of the ‘Their Past Your Future 2’ initiative are available from regional MLA agencies. Confirmed dates for regional seminars to offer advice for staff from museums, libraries and archives who are developing applications to the funding programme, include:
MLA London and MLA South East 25 Sept 2007
MLA East of England 26 Sept 2007
MLA E Midlands 13 Sept 2007
MLA North West 18 Sept 2007
MLA W Midlands 12 Sept 2007
Exiled Ink Magazine. Request for submissions
Deadline: End of September 2007
The next issue will include a feature on exiled writers' relationship to their new British space. How do you express this in poetry, prose and drama? If you write in your own language, please send to Exiled Writers with the translation. We are particularly interested in work by exiled writers living outside London. Please send to: lynette.craig@btinternet.com. Please send all other articles, poetry, prose, drama and images to: jennifer@exiledwriters.fsnet.co.uk
Resources
Infopankki (Infobank) website in Finland
http://www.infopankki.fi/en-GB/home/
Not new, but an example of what can be done by way of web-based information to welcome immigrants. This website began as a project co-ordinated by International Cultural Centre Caisa and Helsinki City Library. It was recently shortlisted in the European e-government awards.
Background reading
Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society. Two years on - a progress report
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1512143
Launched in January 2005, Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society sets out the Government’s commitment to create strong cohesive communities in which every individual, whatever their racial or ethnic origin, is able to fulfil his or her potential through the enjoyment of equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities.

Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society: Two years on provides information on the work undertaken over the last year to improve race equality and community cohesion. This report outlines the progress that is being made towards achieving equality in the key public services and in building community cohesion.

Note from HC: There is a lot in this report where public libraries have a role to play. Opportunity and challenge for libraries here to provide evidence of the work they are already doing that contributes to this.

The impact of recent migration on the London economy
http://213.86.34.248/NR/rdonlyres/805656A4-92B6-4731-A204-1B75621D7324/0/BC_RS_immigration_FR.pdf
(Source: IRR News Digest www.irr.org.uk )
We highlighted the executive summary of this report in the background reading section of this digest on 16 July. You can access the full report from weblink above or via http://www.researchasylum.org.uk/?lid=1662

Library books for migrant workers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6927765.stm
(HC: Thanks to Fiona O'Brien fiona.obrien@llda.org.uk for drawing this to my attention)
A national collection of library books in minority languages is to be set up in Scotland. It aims to improve services for migrant workers from places such as Eastern Europe and the far east.

Cultural diversity in Britain: A toolkit for cross-cultural co-operation
http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/1922-cultural-diversity-Britain.pdf
Phil Wood, Charles Landry and Jude Bloomfield. Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Nov 2006
This research project explores the connections between cultural diversity, innovation and thriving and prosperous urban communities. The research also proposes new approaches and seeks to highlight examples of good practice. Note from HC: there are opportunities for public libraries as part of this.
A breath of fresh air from Scotland
REACH
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1502668
Black boys and young Black men face serious challenges in every sector of society. They are less likely to do well at school, more likely to be unemployed and much more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system than their peers. REACH is Communities and Local Government’s figurehead project to raise the aspirations, attainment and achievement of Black boys and young Black men, enabling them to reach their potential. The REACH group has produced a report (see weblink above for more details of the group and to download the report) with five recommendations on how the Government can help achieve the project's aims.
Congratulations to Mir Mahfuz Ali: shortlisted for New Writing Partnership Poetry Prize
http://www.newwritingpartnership.org.uk/nwp/site/page.acds?context=747673&instanceid=747674
(Source: Exiled Writers Ink e-newsletter)
Click on the link on this page to read extracts of his work. See also: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2139333,00.html

Best wishes
Helen Carpenter John Vincent
Project Co-ordinator The Network
Welcome To Your Library t/f: 0845 128 4897
t/f: 020 7641 5266 e:
john@nadder.org.uk
e:
helen.carpenter@llda.org.uk w: www.seapn.org.uk
w:
http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk

No comments: