MLA Activity on Social Inclusion Access for All Self Assessment Toolkit The Access for All toolkit is the backbone of MLA's access and inclusion agenda. Access for All toolkit for museums, libraries and archives (PDF 238KB) 
Access for All toolkit for museums, libraries and archives (Word 470KB) 
This self-assessment tool for museums, libraries and archives is aligned with the principles in the Inspiring Learning for All learning and access framework. It builds on the social inclusion and cultural diversity toolkits developed for MLA in 2003, and the disability toolkit produced in 2002.
The cultural diversity and disability toolkits have now been edited into a checklist format, better aligned with Access for All. They are available on the Cultural Diversity and Disability web pages. Cross Domain Guidance Materials on Social Inclusion DCMS policy guidance has directed MLA to promote activities across the sector to combat social exclusion. In 2002/3 MLA began work with a small cross-domain group on social inclusion. Consultants were employed to develop materials to raise awareness of social inclusion issues for the sector. Following pilot training sessions, some of the materials were edited and are available on this site, along with the consultants' evaluation report on the pilot training sessions. The following are available: Cross-domain training for social inclusion: Report on lessons from phase one (Word 185KB)
Definitions - what is social exclusion? (Word 172KB)
Resources (Word 189KB) Research and Evidence The DCMS also tasked MLA with research activity. The key piece of MLA-funded research has been Neighbourhood Renewal & Social Inclusion: The Role of Museums, Archives and Libraries (PDF 2.7MB) published in 2002. MLA's work is also informed by domain specific social inclusion reports: Taking part: An audit of social inclusion work in archives (PDF) , which received support from MLA.
 Museums and social inclusion
Open to all? - examines public library policy and was funded by the Library and Information Commission, one of MLA's predecessor bodies.
Open to All? (PDF 1.3MB)
Open to All? (Word 490KB) The museums and social inclusion report focuses on the role of larger local authority museums. MLA also commissioned a research project covering the work of smaller museums: Small Museums and Social Inclusion: Summary of Key Findings (PDF 231KB)
Small Museums and Social Inclusion: Summary of Key Findings (Word 397KB) An overall message from this research is that although there is much good practice in social inclusion issues in the sector, it requires development. This research evidence has informed MLA's work on raising awareness of social inclusion. Related Links: Social Exclusion Unit
Neighbourhood Renewal Unit
The Network (tackling social exclusion in libraries, museums, archives and galleries)
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