Museums, libraries and archives provide inspiring resources and local community spaces to support the Big Society enabling individuals and families to learn together and from each other.
Adult Numeracy and Museums and Archives
MLA commissioned NIACE to work with museums and archives in 4 regions to identify existing and potential adult numeracy activities, good practice case studies and capacity building needs.
Adult Numeracy and Museums and Archives (PDF 191Kb)
Independent Inquiry into the Future of Lifelong Learning
http://www.niace.org.uk/lifelonglearninginquiry/
MLA is working with NIACE to ensure museums, libraries and archives are included in the strategic lifelong learning framework to be developed by 2010.
Opening Up Spaces
Museums, libraries and archives are opening up spaces and resources to support and encourage self-organised learning.
The MLA publication 'Opening Up Spaces: bringing new people into museums, libraries and archives by supporting self-organised learning' (2010) showcases innovative, practical projects in museums, libraries and archives that engage with local communities and support informal learning.
Opening Up Spaces (PDF 995KB)
Building Learning Communities
Museums, libraries and archives offer informal adult learning opportunities to support communities.
The MLA publication Building Learning Communities (2010) developed in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) highlights case studies which identify how museums, libraries and archives can help ignite a thriving culture of lifelong learning
Building Learning Communities (PDF 624KB)
Community Learning Champions
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills defines a Community Learning Champion as someone who “promotes the value of learning to others – friends, relatives and workmates – and encourages them to get involved. A community learning champion is often someone for whom learning has made a positive change in their own life. Community learning champions may be volunteers who are active in their community, or they may add the role of community learning champion to their work”.
Volunteering in action in Museums Libraries and Archives
MLA commissioned six films to showcase diverse examples of volunteers actively supporting and promoting learning in museums, libraries and archives.
Hull Museums Arctic Corsair Trawler
Essex Home Library Service
Orleans House Gallery London
Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery Vintage Car Restoration
Kent Libraries Computer Buddies
Centre for Kentish Studies First World War project
These films were made by Coracle Films: www.coraclefilms.co.uk
Digital Inclusion
Libraries provide a community internet service through a network of 30,000 PCs available for extended hours, including weekends and evenings.
http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/
Race Online
MLA is working in partnership with Race Online 2012 to get half a million more people online through public libraries.
The Race Online 'Networked Nation' manifesto sets out plans to inspire and encourage all UK citizens to enjoy the benefits of the web.
http://raceonline2012.org/manifesto
Get online week
MLA supports Get online week with events planned in libraries to help people get online using the myguide website designed to help people take their first steps with computers and the internet. to help people take their first steps with computers and the internet: http://www.myguide.gov.uk/myguide/MyguideHome.do
BBC raw computers
BBC guide to getting started with computers and the internet.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/raw/computers/
Silver Surfers
Many libraries offer silver surfer sessions throughout the year to help older learners get online and support the annual Silver Surfers Day.
http://www.silversurfersday.net/
Older Learners
Learning opportunities in museums, libraries and archives contributes to the quality of life, work and health and well being of older learners (aged 50 and over).
Building a society for all ages: Benefits for older people from learning in museums, libraries and archives
In 2009 MLA commissioned NIACE to identify the current and potential benefits for older people from learning in museums, libraries and archives. The report shares good practice and ideas in the sector for current and potential engagement with the learning needs of older people and potential partnerships for achieving this
Building a society for all ages (PDF 348KB)
Silver Surfers
Many libraries offer silver surfer sessions throughout the year to help older learners get online and support the annual Silver Surfers Day.
http://www.silversurfersday.net/
Impact of museum, library and archive activities on informal adult learning
In 2009 MLA supported and funded 16 programmes in museums, libraries and archives across all English regions to encourage wider participation and engage more adults in informal learning activities.
Museums, libraries and archives demonstrated the value and purpose of learning for personal development and the benefits it brings to individuals, families, businesses and communities.
Evaluation of the programmes highlights the types of informal adult learning opportunities offered by museums, libraries and archives leading to increased participation and more diverse audiences; increased staff and volunteer knowledge and skills and new and stronger partnerships and networks.
Learning Revolution: Festival of Learning: key findings and impact of museum, library and archive led learning activities (PDF 763KB)
Informal Adult Learning Case Studies can be accessed in the best practice section of the website.