Community Engagement support

Community Libraries Programme Evaluation

Sector Projects and The Research Unit were engaged to evaluate the Big Lottery Community Libraries Programme. In order to benefit all library authorities, particularly those engaged in the programme, key findings have been drawn from their baseline work and published in this report:

Community Libraries Programme Evaluation (PDF 203KB)  

The research undertaken in case study authorities identified that despite capacity challenges, library services are working hard to transform the libraries receiving funding and to use these to transform the entire service. The report highlights six key areas where further attention has the potential to greatly increase the positive results for individuals and communities:

• vision and goals - an exciting vision shared across organisation, with clear SMART goals
• community segmentation - analysis of community segments based on needs, behaviour and the potential outcomes of community engagement for the segment
• organisational transformation - concrete action within the service to change behaviour, skills and delivery of service
• methods and metrics - having real clarity on the 'theory of change', knowing 'how' planned actions are expected to create desired outcomes, and metrics that measure impact
• effective communications - high impact marketing that offers something for everyone
• real social networks - the library as a focus for social engagement, networking and capacity building - achievement of this requires real clarity on the model of engagement planned

Community Engagement resources

This collection of resources helps support public library services with their community engagement work. There is additional material on designing libraries and funding opportunities. If you know of any resources that might be helpful to add to this website, please email communitylibraries@mla.gov.uk.

The series of regional workshops that took place during October/November 2006 to accompany the launch of the Community Libraries Programme included a presentation from MLA on Community Engagement:

Community Engagement (PowerPoint 1.6MB)

Further events were staged during January and February 2007 to highlight good practice by library services in Community Engagement. Presentations from these events are available.

Here are some examples of how public libraries have approached community engagement. Please contact us if you would like to highlight other examples.

Birchfield Library Community Consultation Project Information and a report on how Birmingham Library Service has engaged with a local community (particularly young people) to design a new library.

A Research Study of 14-35 Year Olds for the Future Development of Public Libraries (PDF 1.6MB) (Define Research and Insight)

Derwent Community Library: How local residents started a campaign for a library and created a Library Development Panel

The Art of Consultation Information on how Bolton libraries used arts-based activities to engage local communities

Lancashire's Community Engagement Strategy (PDF 189KB)

Newham Word Festival How Newham Libraries and their partners worked with local Community Forums to stage a Word Festival.

Community Engagement in the New York Public Library (Word 2.26MB) A report from a study tour undertaken by Tabitha Witherick through the Future Leaders Travel Bursaries Award scheme

Community Engagement and Reading (PDF 68KB) The Reading Agency describe creative ways to use books and reading programmes to forge valuable community links.

Increasing the attractiveness of libraries for adult learners A report describing how to better understand the barriers that prevent potential learners from using libraries for learning.

Cultural Services and Local Democracy An MLA report on how libraries, museums and archives can help nourish local democracy.

Other Community Engagement Resources

Talking together: working together (PDF 5.04MB) A toolkit produced by Birmingham Council to provide guidance to staff and partners who have an engagement and consultation role, drawing on best practice guidelines from local and national policy and strategic documents relating to community engagement in the public sector.

Community Engagement and Local Authorities The IDeA looks at the growing importance of Community Engagement and examines how councils are achieving results.

Models of Community Engagement (PDF 42.3KB) A short paper from the Scottish Community Development Centre which aims to identify and describe different models of community engagement in community planning. 

The Improvement Network - Customer Focus and Community Engagement Information on how Community Engagement helps to ensure that the priorities of local people are woven into the strategy and decision making process.

Southey and Owlerton Engagement Strategy A Community Engagement Toolkit

Space Shaper A practical toolkit for use by anyone - whether a local community group or a professional - to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it. Provided by CABE.

People and Participation (PDF 2.2MB) How to put people at the heart of decision making.

Public Engagement Policy (DOC 74 KB).  Nottinghamshire County Council.

User Focus and Citizen Engagement The Audit Commission outlines critical success factors for citizen engagement

Why is Community Engagement Important? The London Councils examine the concept of community engagement and its importance in planning local services.

Hear By Right The National Youth Agency provide resources on involving young people in engagement strategies

renewal.net The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit provide a range of toolkits to help improve engagement with local communities

Community Engagement in Policing How the Home Office and the Association of Police Authorities are approaching community engagement

National Standards for Community Engagement (PDF 524KB) (Scotland) The Scottish Executive explains why community engagement is important in helping to plan and deliver local services.

The Community Planning Web Site

Other funding opportunities

There are also other sources of funding available to public libraries wishing to either complement planned funding proposals or develop brand new ones. MLA has put together a Briefing Sheet summarising some funding opportunities.

Briefing Sheet: Grant Opportunities (Word 53 KB)

The Big Lottery Fund operates other programmes that may provide complementary support to the Community Libraries Programme, some of which require partnerships with other sectors. 

Family Learning

Useful links

The links below provide useful information on different aspects of the Community Libraries Programme.

The Love Libraries campaign provides some examples of how library spaces can be developed with the involvement of local people.

Designing Libraries  has a wide range of information about improvements to library spaces.

The Compact. The agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage