Following the publication of "Guidance on the management of controversial material in public libraries", the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) was commissioned by MLA to devise, develop and deliver training for staff working in public libraries in England. A total of 14 half day workshops were organised, managed by CILIP and MLA. The course consisted of two main elements: a presentation outlining the content of and background to the MLA Guidelines, and a workshop based on the discussion of typical scenarios facing local authorities in respect of controversial stock selection and management decisions.
Following the courses a set of training materials was developed to support attendees who wished to cascade the training within their local authority, as well as public library managers who had been unable to attend one of the courses but who wished to be able to access the training. These materials consist of:
- Detailed training notes to facilitate in-house delivery of a similar half-day training session
- Presentation based on that given at the CILIP courses
- Scenarios to form the basis of workshop discussions with staff