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Contact: Anne Marie Todaro 020 7273 1472 annemarie.todaro@mla.gov.uk

From the ground up: local cultural services nourish democracy

The museums, libraries and archives sector can play a significant role in the revival of local democracy, says a report recently published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in response to Sustainable and Prosperous Communities the local government White Paper.

The MLA commissioned the report Localism, Governance and the Public Realm to look at culture in the context of civil renewal, community cohesion and localism and governance. Through a variety of interviews with museum, library and archive professionals already delivering against these agendas and policy analysts, the report shows that the cultural sector can play a vital part in engaging citizens in civic life at the local level.

Paul Bristow, Local Government Policy Adviser, MLA, said, “This paper highlights how museums, libraries and archives have huge potential to meet the challenges of the White Paper and other policy developments.  Sector professionals and local policy makers should be working together to exploit this potential.”

Two thirds of the population already use museums, libraries and archives.  MLA has led the development of community engagement practice and innovation for the sector and workforce development programmes which help enable staff to contribute to these agendas.
 
“The case must be made for a public realm in which people feel informed, respected, able to influence the local processes that affect their lives, and supported in celebrating their sense of community.  There is a unique opportunity for the local cultural sector to underpin a new form of local democracy,” said the report’s author, Kevin Harris.

To review Localism, governance and the public realm: Issues for the local cultural sector please visit: www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//L/localism_governance_public_realm_11107.pdf

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Notes for Editors

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council works with the nine regional agencies in the MLA Partnership to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk. Media Enquires: Anne Marie Todaro, Media Relations Manager, MLA tel: 020 7273 1472. Urgent news media enquiries until 7pm: 07747 564 209.