ISSN 1475-9462 Diversity Newsletter of the Diversity Council Advocating equality
No. 3 March 2002
Editorial: Diversity Council “set to change the world”
Ismail Abdullahi: Recruitment & retention John Pateman: Why class matters Sandra Jones: The CLAUDINE Project Naila Durrani: Celebrating Nazim Hikmet Liz Smallwood: Communities developing communities David Owen: What’s new? Haiyan Kang: Chinese Library Subscription Service John Vincent: Creating real diversity Shiraz Durrani: Libraries and globalisation; QLP
Plus:
This “Equal” Britain IFLA’s Year of Diversity ALA Read, Reflect and Act The way ahead
Diversity Newsletter of the Diversity Council Advocating Equality
Editor: Shiraz Durrani Merton Civic Centre London Road, Morden Surrey SM4 5DX e-mail: [email protected] Tel. 020 8545 4061 Fax: 020 8545 3237
This issue of Diversity is published with financial assistance from Resource, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries.
Diversity is published 3 times a year, in March, July, and November. Copies are available free of charge while stocks last — and for a small charge thereafter. Electronic version is available free of charge. The views expressed in Diversity are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Diversity Council.
The Editor welcomes contributions in the form of articles, book reviews, news, future events etc. on issues of relevance to the work of the Diversity Council. We particularly welcome items on new ideas and practices. We positively encourage those who have not written before to start with Diversity - we will provide all the support and encouragement you need.
“Diversity” covers issues of race, religion, culture, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, age, disability – and other factors that result in discrimination and social oppression. The Diversity Council will work towards creating a just and fair society within a framework of equality and inclusivity, on the principles of social justice, human rights and democracy.
Reprinted May 2002
Diversity No. 3 March 2002
C O N T E N T S
Diversity in large print...... 4 Editorial: The Diversity Council set to “change the world”...... 4 International Women’s' Day – 8 March 2002...... 8 Diversity Mailing List Philip Pothen writes:...... 8 Part 1 A Diverse world ...... 9 Report from Prof. Ismail Abdullahi’s Seminar: Recruitment & Retention...... 9 Prof. Ismail Abdullahi leads Leadership Training for Diversity Council...... 13 John Pateman: Why Class matters?...... 14 Sandra Jones: The CLAUDINE Project ...... 16 Naila Durrani: Celebrating Nazim Hikmet...... 18 Faiz Ahmed Faiz...... 21 Elizabeth Smallwood: Communities developing communities...... 22 David Owen: What’s New?...... 33 Haiyan Kang: Chinese Library Subscription Service...... 35 The History of Chinese People in London...... 36 John Vincent: Creating real diversity...... 37 Shiraz Durrani: Libraries and globalisation...... 39 Resource: Building on success; an action plan for public libraries...... 41 Part 2 Understanding the world...... 44 This “Equal” Britain...... 44 Racism at Work...... 44 Number of Black people stopped by police rises...... 44 Equal Pay Campaign Launched in Wales ...... 44 Northern TUC calls for better deal for women...... 45 Injustice...... 46 Sexism in the City attacked by Hewitt ...... 47 Too many were old, white and male ...... 47 The way ahead...... 48 Equality Standard receives Best Value approval...... 48 Towards equality and diversity...... 49 Shiraz Durrani: The Quality Leaders Project rolls out ...... 50 A Question of Trust – 2002 Reith Lectures...... 51 IFLA’s year of Democracy, Diversity, Delivery ...... 51 Libraries for the Blind Section...... 51 Multicultural Communities; Guidelines for Library Services...... 52 Round Table for Women's Issues...... 53 The role of Public Libraries in lifelong learning ...... 53 Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons...... 55 IFLA Position on The World Trade Organization...... 55 American Library Association and social responsibility...... 57 Why Diversity? ...... 57 America's Libraries and the Homeless...... 57 Social Responsibilities and the American Library Association...... 58 Part 3 Read, reflect and act...... 60 Diversity, wrath and QLP ...... 60 Africa’s 100 best books of the 20th century...... 60
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Voice of Eastern Action Club for Africa...... 62 Poda Poda, the AFRAS Magazine ...... 62 The three faces of British racism...... 62 Gary Younge: Britain is white again...... 63 Towards Equality and Diversity...... 64 World inequality...... 65 India's bank of ideas...... 66 Trade Union Equality Officers Newsletter ...... 68 “Agenda” explores equality...... 68 Globalisation & knowledge economy...... 68 TUC rights leaflets ...... 68 HAIRNET- where age is a positive advantage...... 69 Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2002...... 70 Write for Information for Social Change (ISC)...... 70 John Vincent The Network...... 71 Diversity Council elections...... 71 STOP PRESS (19-03-02) – ELECTION RESULTS: Philip Pothen...... 73
Diversity in large print Please contact the Editor at the following address if you would like to receive a large print version of Diversity: Shiraz Durrani Library & Heritage Services Merton Civic Centre, London Road Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX e-mail: [email protected] Tel. 020 8545 4061; Fax: 020 8545 3237
Editorial: The Diversity Council set to “change the world”
One can well imagine back in the cold war days of early sixties the whole Diversity Council (DC) ending up in the basement of Nyayo House in Nairobi for daring to talk about “changing the world”. They would have been locked up in the water torture “facility” before being allowed to dry out in desert of the Manyani detention centre to get some sense into their crazy heads.
But we are not in the cold war days, nor in Nairobi. We live in more tolerant times in an altogether more open society. When the new MCLIPs and FCLIPs read in the March Library Association Record that “the Diversity Council is to host a ‘Change the World’ seminar”, they will not reach for the telephone numbers of their favourite CIA officer. No, most likely, they will have a sarcastic
4 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 smile on their faces, think of it a nice joke for the lunch pub crawl and get on with whatever weighty matter they happen to be involved in.
So, is the DC really changing the world? Well, the British information world has survived for over 150 years without feeling the need for a “Diversity Council”- type organisation which can start looking seriously at all equality and human rights issues in the information world. Perhaps this was not appropriate in the days of empire where talk of such rights would have led to loss of valuable colonies, labour, markets and raw material. It was easier in those days to ignore the calls of all those asking for “equal rights” – working class, Black people, gays, lesbians, disabled, older people, travellers, refugees… to mention only a few of those now fashionably referred to as “socially excluded”. So why upset the boat which has been sailing smoothly?
But the world moves on and the hand that rocks the cradle soon begins to rock the boat. It is no longer safe to sit quietly in a boat which may capsize any minute. And things begin to move. So does diversity. The start of the process was recorded in Diversity:
An historic event took place in London on March 14th, 2001 when, under the guidance of Prof. Ismail Abdullahi, a number of organisations came together to form the Diversity Council. (No. 1, June 2001).
The year since the launch of the Diversity Council has been one of major achievements. The anniversary of the “historic event” is being marked by holding a “Change the World” conference this month. In the past 12 months, much has been achieved by the Diversity Council: · The Diversity Council has expanded from the original 3 groups to 7 today, the latest one to join being the East Midlands Diversity Group which brings together 9 East Midland library authorities. · 279 people have asked the Library Association/CILIP to recognise the DC as a Group. This meets one of the requirements for the DC to be recognised as a Group of CILIP. · With financial support from the LA, Prof. Ismail Abdullahi carried out a successful leadership training course. · Publication of 3 issues of Diversity. · The establishment of the Diversity Mailing List at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/diversity.html for all members of the DC and all those who are interested in our activities. It is a forum not just for sharing information, but for discussion as well. To date it has attracted 60 members. This again shows that we now have the "infrastructure" of an organisation. · The Diversity Council has been behind the continued development of the Quality Leaders Project which has attracted funding from Resource. · Perhaps one of the most significant development which shows that the Diversity Council has “arrived” is the fact that it organised the “Change the World” conference entirely from its own resources. We could not get funds for the Conference itself or for paying Ismail’s travel costs from any source, the LA having exhausted its funds for such activities, and could
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not offer us a meeting place at the LA HQ or funds to hire one outside. An organisation without internal resources and strength would have given up organising the event altogether. But we were totally committed to celebrating our anniversary in style, including the presence of Prof. Ismail. We were also keen to have high profile speakers – such as Mark Mason from DCMS and Hendy McNellie from the CRE. We resolved this serious problem by being creative and found our own solutions from our own resources to make sure that the Conference does takes place. The LA then offered to mail our publicity leaflets. · It is also an indication of our credibility in the professional world, that DC and QLP activities are now regularly being covered in the professional press, such as Library Association Record, Public Library Journal, Library Management.
The achievements of the Diversity Council would not have been possible without support from a large number of individuals and organisations. Credit for our success belongs to the seven organisations which have come together to form the DC. Then there are the 300 people who have given credibility to the organisation by signing the support letters to the Library Association. Organisations which have shown solidarity include the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, the Library Association/CILIP, the Commission for Racial Equality, DCMS, Resource, London Boroughs of Merton and Hounslow as well as other employers who have allowed their staff time and support to be active in the work of the Council. With this support and its own internal momentum, the Diversity Council is thus taking up a national leadership role in setting a new vision for diversity in Britain in the information world — a role never properly fulfilled in the past. The very fact that Diversity continues to be published is itself a testimony to our growing strength. But this is only the beginning. The real tasks begin after March 2002. So keep on working even harder. And keep on reading...
The role of Diversity Diversity, the Newsletter of the Diversity Council, has played a very crucial role in this fast developing scene. The DC must be the first LA/CILIP Group to start a regular Newsletter before the Group has been recognised by the LA. This in itself shows that the DC is more than ready to assume its rightful place in the information world.
Diversity has also given credibility to the DC itself and has announced in no uncertain terms that the Council has arrived on the scene and is not about to disappear – something which some have been predicting. But we are not interested in getting a high profile for its own sake. Nor do we want to remain in business merely to impress the “professionals” that we have arrived. Diversity will serve the needs of all those who are interested in issues of equality and social justice in the information field. It will highlight areas of discrimination and give exposure to ideas and experiences that help to make us a more equal, just society. It will aim to give voice to those who have been struggling against social oppression in isolation, and bring their struggles to the notice of others
6 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 and work in solidarity with all positive, committed people. It will offer a forum to those in power to explain their policies and practices. This aim can be fulfilled only with the co-operation of all. The level of such co-operation and support will indicate our commitment to equality and social justice. But we do not aim to “organise” people who are or who feel excluded. Each group of excluded, marginalized people has to organise itself. The Diversity Council will provide an umbrella under which they can organise in safety and use its organisational and other resources. Over a period of time, we will build up a group of people with experience who can support others who may be just starting their journey towards equality. We will document the struggles of each excluded group and make this vital experience available to all.
Finally, a big thank you to all who have enabled the DC to emerge successfully from a year-long battle for survival. Prof. Ismail Abdullahi has devoted much effort and time in coming to London four times to support DC activities – in addition to spending his weekends ringing us in London to offer advice, support and encouragement. Bob McKee and his team at the LA/CILIP have also played their part in getting us off the ground. Special thanks to Sue Brown, Lyndsay Rees-Jones and Vicky Anibueze for their personal support. The brave team at Library Association Record also deserve our thanks for ensuring that the rest of the world gets to hear about the progress of the DC.
Resource, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries has played its part by providing funds that enabled issues nos. 3 and 4 of Diversity to be published. It is not only the money that counts – although this is important in itself. It is the confidence that Resource – and in particular Caroline Lang and Rebecca Linley - have shown in the Diversity Council and in the Quality Leaders Project that is a significant factor in our success. The Diversity Council takes this opportunity to thank Resource and its team and to welcome Rajiv Anand, the new Development Officer for Cultural Diversity at Resource. We look forward to working even more closely with the whole team in future.
John Pateman, Merton’s Head of Library and Heritage Service, has offered not only his personal but his organisation’s support to the DC. John and Geoff Mills from Birmingham remain our strongest supporters among the rarely seen or heard heads of public libraries. The Heads of Libraries who supported the formation of the East Midlands Diversity Council deserve to be commended. As we celebrate our achievements of this important year, we cannot help wondering what other heads of public and other libraries are doing about diversity and equality. Diversity offers them space in future issues to tell us about all the positive and progressive things they are, hopefully, doing. Their silence in this matter will, of course, speak volumes.
At its meeting in March 2002, the Diversity Council elects a new Committee to replace the Interim one. It will also elect a new Editor and an Editorial Team. The future direction of Diversity will be decided by this elected body. I wish the new Editor and the Editorial Committee the best of luck in their important task. Shiraz Durrani March 11, 2002
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Baada ya dhiki, faraja After the bad times, good times
International Women’s' Day – 8 Diversity Mailing List March 2002 Philip Pothen writes: The Diversity mailing list exists Felicity Williams, Assistant General for all members of the DC and all Secretary of the Wales TUC said those who are interested in our “Women throughout the world share activities. It is a forum not just for a common history of discrimination sharing information, but for and exploitation. Here in Wales, discussion as well. To join please trade unionists have achieved much write to me at but as the equal pay campaign [email protected] or shows, we have much to do. [email protected]
On International Womens' Day, we An archive of all messages sent also need to reflect on the misery to the list can be found at: and degradation that thousands of http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/DIV women are suffering throughout the ERSITY.html world, especially in Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Western Sahara. We Please inform colleagues and will continue to campaign throughout friends about this list, and the TUC for fairness and decent encourage them to join! rights for all.'
Glenys Kinnock MEP said “International Women's Day is a chance for us to reflect upon the fact that nowhere in the world can women claim to have the same rights and opportunities as men. Our task in Wales is to maintain our efforts to build equality into all our institutions and structures - in industry, in the private and public sector, the Trade Unions, in economic and social developments, education, environment, transport, politics and a lot more. A formidable task, not just for March 8th, but for 365 days of the year” .
Ukitaka cha mwunguni sharti uiname If you want to see the truth under the bed you need to bend down
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Planning information services Management has no choice but to Part 1 A Diverse world anticipate the future, to attempt to mould it and to balance short range Report from Prof. Ismail and long range goals. The future will Abdullahi’s Seminar: not just happen if one wishes hard Recruitment & Retention enough. It requires decisions - now. It imposes risks - now. It demands Di Reynolds from Merton Library & allocation of resources - now. Above Heritage Service reports from the all, it requires human resources - Seminar now. It requires work - now.
Planning For Recruitment And Planning process Retention Of Black Librarians In · Looking around. What is Library And Information Services. available A Seminar by Professor Ismail · Developing Roles and Abdullahi, Clark Atlanta, University, Missions. What roles the USA. 16 March 2001 Central library can take after looking Library Theatre, Birmingham around
· Writing goals and objectives. Introduction and Welcome - Bob Long term recruitment plans, McKee, Chief Executive LA Bob McKee said he has just been in etc. talks with Ismail Abdullahi and · Marketing approach to representatives from groups such as planning. Market plans to the the African Caribbean Library staff as well as the public. Association (ACLA), the Asian Everyone must support it Library Advisory Group (ALAG), the · Taking action Race and Class Group (RCG) and · Reviewing results the Chinese Library Support Group (CLSG). This has resulted in the The Marketing Audit formation of the Interim Diversity · A Needs Assessment. What Council Committee, promoting Unity do the clients need. in Diversity. Bob McKee announced Understand the community that he fully endorsed this and environment, what goes into hoped that the group will soon the makeup of the community become a Group of the Library · A Community Analysis. The Association. To accomplish this, whole community structure, signatures are needed, and this is growth patterns etc. where the delegates could make an · A Marketing Audit Analysis. immediate contribution after the Addressing the needs course. Questions relating to the Seminar Presentation - Professor identification and understanding Ismail Abdullahi of the library's multicultural group It is essential that recruitment and · Who are these people? retention are included in the · Where do they come from? planning process and that a firm · What do they want from the plan is drawn up. library?
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· What do they get from the Multicultural organization library? · Reflects the contributions and · Has their usage changed and interests of diverse cultural is it still changing? If so, how? and social groups in its · People from one area/country mission, operations and are not all the same. Needs product or service can change (refugees, for · Acts on a commitment to the example, have different needs eradication of social when they first arrive to those oppression in all forms within when they are more settled). the organization. It is also Do they just want to wander sensitive to the possible round a library, sit and read, or violation of the interests of all need advise and information. social groups Ask yourself what you are · Members of diverse culture giving them. and social groups are full participants at all levels of the Environments - Clients organization, especially in · Internal: Needs assessment those areas where decisions · External: Market audit are made that shape the organization Statistical information · Follows through in its broader Taken from the USA 1990 Census external social responsibilities, · African Americans, Asians including its support of efforts and Hispanics make up 21% to eliminate all forms of social of the American population oppression. This also involves · Over 28% of New York the support and efforts to residents are foreign born expand the multicultural · Miami is 62% Hispanic ideology · Detroit is 75% African American The various levels to reach a · San Francisco is 30% Asian multicultural association: · English is the second language of the majority of Level 1: The Monocultural California's population Organization
· By 2020, the majority of California's entry level workers · Stage 1 - The Exclusionary will be Hispanic Organization. Exclusive to those who are already there. · By 2030, the Spanish origin population will be four times its · Stage 2 - The Club. present size Traditionally held power.
· By 2080, the Hispanic Level 2: The Non-discriminating population could number 100 Organization million and the African Americans 60 million · Stage 3 - Compliance · In the workplace, these figures are best represented Organization. Allows minorities to enter, but does among airport staff. not change the structure. Staff
recruited at lower levels only.
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Any higher positions are token · Have short range and long gestures only. Must be highly range plans. (Watch trends, exceptional individuals and census figures, projection team-players. figures). · Stage 4 - The Affirmative · State issues to be addressed Action Organization. Actively by the Recruitment Action recruits all excluded people. Plan.(At what level should Programmes to help them staff be recruited managerial increase their success. as well as lower. How to train Workshops on racial them to that level. Salary). discrimination. · Determine labour needs for multicultural libraries. (Are Level 3: The Multicultural other professions taking them Organization away. If so, how are they attracting them - especially · Stage 5 - The Redefining qualified staff. How can we Organization Equitable compete). distribution of power/influence. Elimination of discrimination. 3. Develop an Effective Awareness · Stage 6 - The Multicultural Programme. Organization. Fulfilling all · Develop a promotional elements needed Guarantees brochure about opportunities inclusion, participation and for minority librarians to work empowerment. in your library. Show benefits, training available, etc. Recruitment Strategies · Distribute this literature To recruit staff, you have to have the through professional correct stage/environment, and associations in establishing a know how they should function nationwide recruitment drive within the organization. When the for minorities to your library. environment is ready, then you can · Make visits to LIS Schools. To look at recruitment. attract the right people into your libraries, see who is on 1. Establish a recruitment what programme and how programme. interested they seem. In · Establish the programme. America, many people are · Discuss the issue of recruiting recruited through visits to multicultural librarians with Library Schools. your staff, personnel officer · Provide internship and other decision makers. opportunities. · Review current policies and procedures related to staff 4. Develop staff development recruitment and retention. programme · Commit funding for staff 2. Develop a Recruitment action development. Set aside a Plan. training budget to develop · State goals and objectives of staff in this area. the plan. (What type, how · Provide financial support to many, short/long term needs). attend professional
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conferences understands the missions and · Tap financial resources from values of the library Staff Development · Find an informal mentor for Programmes the librarian · Understand the multicultural librarian's needs, especially in Afternoon session - Group relation to the changing world discussions around you both locally and nationally Working in groups, the delegates · Train your staff in matters talked through a list of discussion related to recruitment and topics: retention · Problem identification: What is 5. Develop support services to aid the situation for cultural in staff retention diversity? Users; Staff; · Encourage senior staff Administration Support members of the library to be Programme. more sensitive to the needs of · Situation analysis: General the newer staff members. conditions impacting your They must be good mentors library and your programme and role models that affect the future of cultural · Re-examine the current diversity management styles. Do · Market analysis: Who are people really communicate. your potential users; who are Do they relate to one another. your potential staff; what Do they share ideas. changes are needed at your · Re-examine the current staff library relationships in your library, as · Goals and objectives for above cultural diversity: Set targets; · General support services specify results over three such as mentoring and years guidance should be available · Strategies: What strategies to the new staff members. would help you attain your Staff who have been in goals and objectives service for over 5 years · Action Agenda: What is to be should be able to offer done; Programme's guidance. Isolation is the responsibility; individual worst thing someone can responsibility; resources suffer. required. · One member of each group Retention Strategies then made a presentation of · When recruiting, give the their findings. Though the multicultural candidate a present situation was realistic idea of the somewhat gloomy. there was environment and culture of the a definite feeling of hope for library. the future which gave · Make sure that the encouragement to go on multicultural librarian building on the impetus engendered by the seminar.
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This was followed by a lively Marketing is important. Go where Question and Answer session. the people are. Respect the cultures and languages of others. Aim for Closing Remarks - Bob McKee linguistic plurality. Promote role models, even if these have to be We have awareness, if not total outside the workforce to start with. understanding. The first step is to Black achievers in society and from make connections, get to know one the community can be promoted as another. (e-mail addresses will be role models, especially if they are circulated to delegates if this known to support libraries. information is supplied). Mentoring and coaching are vital., We have to break out of the cycle of as are Library School traineeships to low salary, low status, low target under-represented groups, stereotype. supporting the involvement of individuals in learning. We have to break away from "ghettoising", such as giving a All this adds up to a lot of positive Chinese librarian the Chinese ideas which can be translated into a collection as his/her area of work workable programme. regardless of his/her wishes. Don't create feelings of isolation. Prof. Ismail Abdullahi leads These things are not yet at the Leadership Training for Diversity forefront of the agenda for senior Council management, if at all. The Library Association Council is made up of Prof. Ismail Abdullahi September 27-28, 2001 14 women and 9 men. Of these, 22 are white. Only one is Black. The USA Spectrum would not really work Notes on each module available over here at present. The from Prof. Ismail Abdullahi. The DC organizational environment is not wishes to acknowledge the financial ready for it. Some authorities have support given by the Library Association to cover this training reached Level 2 of the CRE Race Standards for Local Authorities, but course. no further. Programme:
Management style is crucial for the Thursday: September 27 Part I. Principles of Leadership retention of staff. It can be either liberating or repressive. Public Part II. Organizational Leadership libraries are lagging behind other Part III. Discussion sectors. Investors in People and Best Value could help to change Friday: September 28 Part IV. Mentoring this. Best Value has reference to racial and sexual discrimination. Part V. Team Work Investment in staff development this Part VI. Discussion & Conclusion & year includes bursaries for members follow-up action of the profession to attend the IFLA Conference.
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John Pateman: Why Class matters? If we look at the intake of the top five universities, 48% come from private The richest one tenth of the schools, 10% are working class and population own half of all the wealth in Britain, while one half of the 5% come from poor areas (another euphemism for class). The situation people own less than 10 per cent does not improve if we widen our
search and look at the intake of the Four million children are still living top thirteen universities : 39% come below the poverty line, while the number of millionaires has more from private schools, 13% are working class and 6% come from than doubled since 1995 poor areas.
Children from the lowest social class 79% of medical students and 80% of are twice as likely to die by age 15 as are children from the highest veterinary students are middle class. Nursing, education and accountancy class. Low paid workers can expect attract fewer middle class students to die 9.5 years younger than their and more working class people. This professional colleagues is the social reproduction of society
There is a demonstrable link at work : professions held in lower esteem, such as nursing and between poverty (often used as a teaching, attract relatively more more comfortable term for class) affluent students from less privileged and underachievement in schools. backgrounds While two thirds of pupils in schools in more affluent areas get 5 good If university education remains the GCSEs, only a fifth in schools with preserve of the middle classes, the poorest intake achieve the expansion will merely entrench same. privilege. As student numbers have
The middle class make up 17% of risen the universities have become even more of a middle class haven the population, but 60% of middle than ever before. Only half of state class children go on to higher education. The working class school pupils with three grade As at A level were given places at one of account for 62% of the population, but only 25% of working class the top 13 universities. Less than one in a hundred children from the children go on to higher education. poorest areas of the country went So, of the 280,939 entrants to UK universities, only 25% are from on to study at one of these universities. Private school pupils working class backgrounds. Only 9% of Oxford and Cambridge with the same A level grades as state school pupils were 25 times students are working class. Despite more likely to be given a university the government’s pledge to encourage students from poorer place. So the problem does not lie with the educational ability of families, the proportion of working class students remains stuck at the working class students or the quality of state education. The problem lies same level as during the 1960s and with the class ridden attitudes of for some groups, including Black males, participation levels are higher education institutions. falling.
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These class ridden attitudes are uses race, gender and sexuality to prevalent in all professions, divide and rule the working class. including the library and information There is no hierarchy of oppression profession. The equal opportunity – being Black is not a greater issue statement of the Library Association than being Gay. What we need is makes no reference to class or unity among the oppressed, socio economic status. Attempts to organised along class lines, so that raise class as an issue at LA AGMs we can fight back against exclusion, have been defeated. Class is not on discrimination, racism, homophobia the professional agenda. It is not and all the other inevitable talked about at conferences. It is not symptoms and outcomes of written about in journals. It is not capitalism. taught in library schools. It is regarded as an old fashioned and Do not think it cannot be done. For irrelevant issue. When the issue is inspiration look to countries like raised it is ridiculed, trivialised and Cuba, where libraries are run by and marginalised. Library people do not for the people. Cuban libraries are feel comfortable talking about class. used equally by all sectors of Everyone is classless today. society. They are socially inclusive in the full sense of the term. So we In truth, class pervades every have models we can aspire to. But aspect of capitalist society. It first we need unity – including class determines the allocation of power unity and race unity – and then we and resources. It decides who will need organisation. The Diversity get on in life and who will not. The Council, whether it becomes a background you are born into, the Group of the Library Association or school you go to, the job you work in not, is the best opportunity we have – all of these are class issues. We had to date to create that still have a ruling class, who own the organisation. For the DC to make land, the money, the power and the maximum impact on the profession means of production. We also have and to move forward on all fronts, it a working class, who are dependent must be truly diverse in both its on their labour for survival. In composition and approach. While between we have the middle class, being able to focus on any one who dominate the professions, aspect of oppression, it must at the including librarianship. The middle same time see how all forms of class consume public goods out of oppression are linked. The DC must all proportion to their make up of represent the interests of any society. This presents us with a individual or group within the LA double whammy : a profession run which has, or thinks it has, been by the middle class for the middle subject to prejudice, discrimination, class. Libraries for the elite. Not oppression or exclusion. The DC libraries for all. must then develop a coherent strategy for dealing with these Class is then compounded by other issues. We have to get our own issues such as race and gender. If professional house in order, we you are working class, and Black must create a really diverse and a woman it is possible that you profession, before we can offer an are experiencing triple exclusion and inclusive library service. We need a treble discrimination. Capitalism profession that is open to all, in
15 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 every way, before we can offer a library service that is open to all. Summer Conference Since 1999 a two-day CLAUD summer conference has become a Sandra Jones: The CLAUDINE regular part of the CLAUD calendar, Project as it provides an additional opportunity for library staff to meet and discuss disability issues in CLAUDINE, a Strand Two HEFCE greater depth, and to network with (Higher Education Funding Council other professionals outside the for England) funded project, started group. Day one is limited to CLAUD in May 2000 and is due for members with day two devoted to a completion in April 2002. The main programme of external speakers aim is to improve access to library and workshops, and is open to services for disabled staff and information and disability related students by developing opportunities professionals. The 2002 summer for problem sharing and working conference will take place at towards solutions, and is building on Plymouth University on 11-12 July. the work of the CLAUD consortium. (Further details will be posted on the CLAUD Web Page). CLAUD: Consortium for Librarians in Higher With the continuing expansion of Education networking to improve CLAUD a committee has recently library access for disabled users in been formed to co-ordinate south and southwest England. meetings, membership, training and
other activities. Background
In 1996 a group of four librarians In 1999 the CLAUD group from Higher Education successfully bid for HEFCE funding establishments in the southwest to continue the growth of the (Bath, Bristol, Exeter and network and to expand its Southampton Universities) began to objectives. meet regularly to share information and experience on library services CLAUDINE Project for disabled users. With the The overall Project aim is to impending changes in the legislative discover ways of improving access framework on disability, library to library services for disabled staff managers were becoming and students by developing increasingly aware of the need to opportunities for problem sharing evaluate their provision of services and working towards solutions. This and resources to disabled students aim is underpinned by viewing and staff. This small group soon access issues in the context of expanded and currently extending provision for all disabled membership encompasses 16 H.E. users, and to avoid focusing on establishments reaching from particular impairment groups thus Plymouth across to Guildford and up preventing provision from being to Oxford. The consortium meet impairment linked. twice a year to discuss new developments, best practice and The main Project Objectives share experience. include:
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· Research and disseminate Wales and is also available on the information on resources suitable web page. for disabled library users · Publish and maintain a CLAUD The mailbase, set up for CLAUD web page members only, provides a forum for www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Access the exchange of information, UnitPRD/CLAUD (case specific) promotes discussion and provides · Produce a CLAUD newsletter (3 advice on library/disability related p.a.) issues. · Conduct a series of focused questionnaires amongst CLAUD Staff Training members and from the analysis As the Project progressed one issue produce recommendations for regularly cropped up in the various base line library provision CLAUD meetings - disability · Plan and co-ordinate awareness training for library disability/equality training staff. It became increasingly courses for library staff obvious that the need exists for · Investigate and analyse disability good quality, reasonably priced, awareness training packages for wide ranging and regionally based, librarians staff training. With the help of Claire Wickham (Director: Access Unit - · Promote the development of similar networks in other regions Short Courses and Outreach, University of Bristol) and the Access Dissemination Unit staff we have successfully Throughout the Project our research provided courses on: has been disseminated using the CLAUD web page, newsletter and Disability awareness mailbase. Mental health awareness Dyslexia The web page provides a range of information on: All the courses were oversubscribed thus indicating the requirement for 1this level of training. We have also · The library of each CLAUD been approached from a number of member H.E. establishments around the · CLAUD meetings and events country to provide similar training · Training courses courses on an in-house basis. · Links to other useful sites · Disability organisations Although physical access and · Disability and education installing the right technology is · Assertive technology vitally important for disabled users, · Legislation from discussions with library staff · Library organisations and users, it is evident the biggest impact to improving accessibility is The Newsletter aims to be to have well trained staff in disability informative whilst promoting the awareness. Investment in staff CLAUD network and its ethos to training is essential to underpin the H.E. establishments and related investments made in other areas. organisations. It is currently mailed to all universities in England and
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Base-line provision began the celebrations with a recital A survey was conducted amongst of Hikmet’s poems. CLAUD members of existing library policies and provision affecting In an interesting article in ‘Morning disabled students. Four Star’ of the same date, Philip questionnaires were distributed to all Bounds outlined Hikmet’s life CLAUD members focussing on pointing out the strong interaction between his poetry and his politics Library services and the recognition of his greatness Equipment by even those who are hostile to Physical access communism. Staff training Philip Bounds says, “If many of From this analysis we intend to Hikmet’s poems still seem provide recommendations for base- remarkably fresh, it is perhaps line library provision for disabled because they explore ideas about users. These will be available in the technology, national identity and first instance to all CLAUD human resilience, providing a members, and thereafter to a wider powerful contrast to the world weary audience on a national scale. pessimism of the early 21st century.”
Developing CLAUD networks. Referring to his great poem “Sheikh We are actively encouraging H.E. Bededdrin” (1935), an epic account establishments in other regions to of the peasant uprisings which had set up similar groups and become swept Turkey in the 15th century, part of a wider CLAUD network. So Philip Bounds says “At a time when far interest has been aroused in Muslim people are too often Wales, the North East, London and dismissed as the docile victims of Lancashire and the momentum unscrupulous powermongers, his continues. poems remind us that the sinews of popular radicalism are as strong in Sandra Jones the East as anywhere else.” This Project Manager for CLAUDINE poem was inspired by Nazim Access Unit, University of Bristol Hikmet’s need to connect ‘yesterday E-mail: [email protected] to today/today to tomorrow.’ Tel: 0117 954 5717. The writer refers to another main theme of Hikmet’s prison writings, Naila Durrani: Celebrating Nazim “his determination to maintain his Hikmet inner world as a haven of personal freedom in an authoritarian
th age…Although he was often locked 2002 is the 100 anniversary of the up for hours on end, in the most birth of the Turkish poet, Nazim insanitary conditions, Hikmet had a Hikmet. A centenary celebration th sort of Gandhian ability to blot out was held on 8 January 2002 at the the squalor of his surroundings and Queen Elizabeth Hall in Southbank, project his mind into the world of rich London. Harold Pinter, Julie possibilities beyond the prison Christie and Vanessa Redgrave walls,” as shown below in his poem “That’s How It Goes”:
18 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
A sunny pathway stretches beyond beautifully expressed in ‘The Walnut the mulberries, Tree’: I stand beneath the window in the prison hospital, My leaves are my hands, I have one Cannot smell the smell of medicine: hundred thousand Somewhere carnations must be in I touch you with one hundred bloom. thousand hands, I touch Istanbul That’s how it goes, my friend. My leaves are my eyes, I look in The problem is not in falling a amazement captive, I watch you with one hundred It’s how to avoid surrender. thousand eyes, I watch Istanbul Like one hundred thousand hearts, The poem is also inspirational of his beat my leaves “most powerful theme – FOUR WALLS DO NOT A PRISON I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park MAKE.” Neither you are aware of this, nor the police. Louis Mitler in ‘Contemporary Turkish Writers – A Critical Bio- (Translated from Turkish by Gun Bibliography’ (1988) says: Gencer).
“Nazim Hikmet’s use of Turkish lyric, In an Introduction to ‘Selected almost musical compositions, Poetry of Nazim Hikmet’, rescues his verse , even at its most Translations by Randy Blasing and didactic, from the level of Mutlu Konuk (1993), Mutlu Konuk propaganda,” citing an example writes: from the poem ‘The Japanese Fisherman’ : “His human presence or the controlling figure of his personality – The Japanese fisherman, who was playful, optimistic, and capable of killed in the sea childlike joy – keeps his poems By a cloud, was a young man. open, public and committed to social From his friends, I heard this song and artistic change. And in the It was a bright yellow evening on the perfect oneness of his life and art, Pacific. Hikmet emerges as a heroic figure. His early poems proclaim this unity Forget me my almond-eyed one. as a faith: art is an event, he Putrid, from a putrid egg maintains, in social as well as Would be the child you’d bear from literary history, and a poet’s bearing me. in art is inseparable from his bearing This ship is a black coffin. in life.” This sea, a dead sea. Oh mankind, where are you? Nazim Hikmet in his poem ‘The Where are you? Strangest Creature on Earth,’ (1947) laments man’s cruelty to man: (Japon Balikcisi [The Japanese Fisherman]. Secme Siirler, 1968) And the oppression in this world Is thanks to you. Hikmet’s love of his country (‘I Love And if we’re hungry, tired, covered My Country’) and ‘sense of place’ is with blood,
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And still being crushed like grapes for our wine, “Accused of attempting to incite the The fault is yours – Turkish navy into rebellion, Nazim I can hardly bring myself to say it, was condemned to the punishments But most of the fault, my dear of hell. The trial was held on a brother, is yours. warship. He told me he was forced to walk on the ship’s bridge until he (Translated by Randy Blasing and was too weak to stay on his feet, Mutlu Konuk, 1993.) then they stuck him into a section of the latrines where the excrement In conclusion, it is important to rose half a metre above the floor. remember that Nazim Hikmet was My brother poet felt his strength awarded the World Peace Prize in failing him: my tormentors are 1950. In the current environment of keeping an eye on me, they want to war and nuclear threat, it is relevant watch me suffer. His strength came to quote once again from some of back with pride. He began to sing, his Peace poems: low at first, then louder, and finally at the top of his lungs. He sang all the It has been ten years since I died in songs, all the love poems he could Hiroshima remember, his own poems, the I am seven now, when children die, ballads of the peasants, the people’s they do not grow… battle hymns. He sang everything he knew. And so he vanquished the And lastly, his appeal in one of his filth and his torturers.” (Memoirs, peace poems: trans. Hardie St. Martin [New York; Penguin, 1978] pp. 195-196). If we put the hunter aeroplanes on the table Born in 1902 in Salonika, of If we turn them into bread , meat, bourgeois family, (his father was in wine, salad the foreign service, his mother was Forty million would be fed… an artist, his pasha grandfather wrote poetry), Hikmet grew up in Mutlu Konuk quotes Jean-Paul Istanbul and was “introduced to Sartre on Hikmet who “conceived of poetry early, publishing his first a human being as something to be poems at seventeen.” He was created,” and goes on to say “In his imprisoned for working on a leftist life no less than in his art, Hikmet magazine and then for allegedly forged this new kind of person, who inciting the Turkish armed forces to was heroic by virtue of being a revolt through his poems. He wrote creator. This conception of the artist some of his greatest lyrical poems in as a hero and the hero as a creator prison, ‘The Human Landscapes’ saves art from becoming a frivolous being one of them. He escaped to activity in the modern world; as Soviet Russia to avoid persecution Hikmet’s career dramatizes, poetry (even murder), and military service is a matter of life and death.” at fifty. He spent eleven years in self exile there before he died of a Mutlu Konuk also quotes Hikmet’s heart attack in June 1963. friend, Pablo Neruda, who relates the poet’s account of how he was Nazim Hikmet, as Konuk says, “is treated after his arrest: popularly known and critically
20 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 acclaimed in Turkey as the first and WHEN AUTUMN CAME foremost modern poet, is known around the world as one of the This is the way that autumn greatest international poets of the came to the trees: twentieth century, and his poetry it stripped them down to the has been translated into more than skin, fifty languages.” left their ebony bodies naked. It shook out their hearts, the Faiz Ahmed Faiz yellow leaves, scattered them over the Meridian Masterpiece, BBC World ground. Service: Monday 11th March. Anyone could trample them out of shape Meridian Masterpiece explored the undisturbed by a single life and work of one of Pakistan's moan of protest. greatest poets, Faiz Ahmed Faiz this week. (His poetry, written in Urdu), The birds that herald dreams gained world-wide acclaim for the were exiled from their song, way in which it bridged the divide each voice torn out of its between high art and the politics of throat. the street - and it has inspired They dropped into the dust political activists, writers, and even before the hunter musicians. strung his bow.
But most importantly, the poetry of Oh, God of May, have Faiz continues to hold a special mercy. place in the hearts and minds of Bless these withered bodies ordinary people around the world. with the passion of your Harriett Gilbert explores the vibrant resurrection; legacy of Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911- make their dead veins flow 1984). with blood again.
Give some tree the gift of green again. Let one bird sing.
(translated by Naomi Lazard)
21 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Elizabeth Smallwood: Communities developing communities
Merton Library and Heritage Service has 3 strategic objectives: community development, economic regeneration, lifelong learning. Much discussion has taken place to understand what these terms mean in the context of the changing role of public libraries in Britain today. The following is Liz Smallwood’s presentation as part of a joint presentation to the Library & Heritage Management Forum. Liz can be contacted at [email protected].
Merton Library & Heritage Service Community Development Strategy
Presentation given to Library and Heritage Management Forum
19th February 2002 Shiraz Durrani Di Reynolds Elizabeth Smallwood
22 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Merton Library & Heritage Service Community Development Strategy
Community Development Model
Mainstreaming Outreach
Inclusion Policy for Merton Library & Heritage Service
The Community Development Strategy comprises three strands: the Community Development Chart/Model detailed here; mainstreaming outreach, on which work has already started and on which a paper will be circulated shortly; Inclusion Policy on which work will begin very shortly. However, before we begin work on an Inclusion Policy, it is necessary to consider the overall strategy. We need to consider where we want to go, before considering how to get there.
Merton Library & Heritage Service Community Development
“Communities Developing Communities”
Can libraries develop communities? The answer to this question is no. Libraries cannot, nor indeed should they, develop communities. Libraries cannot address
23 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 all the social ills of society and make them good. So, if libraries cannot develop communities, is there a role for libraries in community development? The answer to this question is yes. Because of their unique position in the local community, libraries are ideally placed to provide opportunities for individuals to develop themselves. Libraries can offer opportunities for empowerment. Thus the overarching theme of our Community Development strategy is not “Libraries developing communities” but “Communities developing communities”. That is, communities, taking advantage of the opportunities that libraries can offer, to develop themselves.
What is a “community”?
A group of people bound by locality, common interests or needs.
A library’s community is anybody who lives, works or studies in the locality of the library.
But what is a community? In its broadest sense, we feel that a community is “a group of people bound by locality, common interests or needs.” However, this is a model for Community Development and libraries and we must, of course, keep libraries in the forefront of our minds. Therefore, we need to consider what a library’s community is. We feel that a library’s community are those who live, work or study in the locality of the library. This may seem like quite a broad definition but all of these groups exist in the local community so must form part of the library’s community. Of course, there may be people using our services who neither live, work nor study in the vicinity of the library. Whilst these people are welcome to use our services, our services cannot be aimed at them. As libraries are a community resource, we must consider the community in planning our services. Resource’s document, Building on Success – an action plan for public libraries, urges us to put libraries at the heart of people’s lives. If we are to make libraries at the heart of Merton’s communities, we must consider those communities first and foremost in our service delivery.
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Community Development is …
The process by which we provide opportunities for empowerment by enabling communities to access the information, knowledge and skills necessary to satisfy their needs
Having defined community, we need to consider what we mean by community development. We feel that community development is “the process by which we provide opportunities for empowerment by enabling communities to access the information, knowledge and skills necessary to satisfy their needs.” There are several key words here - empowerment, enabling, access and needs. People must feel empowered to take up the services that libraries offer, if development is to take place. Libraries can provide opportunities for empowerment, by enabling access. Simply providing the services is not enough. Libraries must be proactive in enabling access, if they are to truly provide opportunities for empowerment. It has been estimated that around only 30% of the population uses public libraries. Whilst not all of the remaining 70% may need to use a public library (other ways to get info etc), there are likely to be a significant number who could benefit from the opportunities that libraries can offer. However, we must consider the issue of enabling access if we are to reach such people. Building on Success urges us to keep in mind the needs of actual and potential users. Therefore we need to consider different ways of delivering our services if we are to make potential users actual users. Finally, needs is very important. If libraries are to be at the heart of communities, they must be relevant to the local community. We feel that the best way to be relevant is to respond to the current and changing needs of the community.
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Pollards Hill Donald Hope
Mitcham Morden
West Barnes Raynes Park
Wimbledon Equal Access Heritage
So, at the centre of all library activity in Merton, must be community needs. We have, therefore, put community needs at the centre of our Community Development chart and not Community Development itself as we feel that the key role for libraries in providing opportunities for communities to develop themselves is in addressing the issue of community needs in a library and information context.
26 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Pollards Hill Donald Hope
Mitcham Morden
West Barnes Raynes Park
Wimbledon Equal Access Heritage
Although particular needs may vary from community to community, we have identified several key needs that we think are common to all communities, particularly communities that need/could benefit from development. These are: information and knowledge; skills; empowerment and capacity building.
Information and knowledge – we are all familiar with the old adage “knowledge is power” and this is certainly true in terms of community development. With knowledge and information, communities are empowered to develop themselves. However, libraries need, perhaps, to broaden out their skills and focus in this area. Traditionally, libraries “do” information and knowledge extremely well. Libraries’ skills in this area can, therefore, be put to good effect to include business information, benefits information, health information and so on. By building on traditional information skills, libraries can help to ensure that they are at the heart of people’s lives by providing them with the information and knowledge necessary for changing/improving the quality of their lives.
Skills – if one looks at communities needing development, one can identify certain key characteristics. These include low educational attainment, low skills levels, lack of employability, high unemployment. By focusing on skills development, libraries can responds to the community need for development in this area. However, this is not to say that libraries should be focusing solely on skills development as a means to furthering employment opportunities. We need to be aware that some people may never be economically active. This does not
27 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 mean that they cannot contribute to their community, or that there is no point in aiming skills development at them. Skills development can exist on a number of levels e.g. to enable parents to help children with their homework; the importance of listening to your children read; skills development for citizenship echoing National Curriculum changes but also developing this to be relevant to adults – “education for active citizenship.” Libraries are well placed to offer a wide range of skills development activities.
Empowerment – one of the key characteristics of disadvantaged communities is a certain fragmentation i.e. a feeling of mistrust, of one having no power over one’s future, a feeling that what happens in one’s community is nothing to do with the community. This is directly linked to feelings of disempowerment – a feeling that there is nothing one can do to change things. Empowerment, therefore, is a key community need. Libraries can respond to this need through information and knowledge provision and through skills development, enabling individuals within communities actively to shape their own lives and futures, but communities need to feel empowered to take up these opportunities. Libraries, therefore, have an important dual role to play both in providing opportunities for empowerment and empowering communities to take up these opportunities.
Capacity building – This is a major need because in order to thrive a community needs to improve and develop its own capacity for growth and evolution. Also, libraries, as part of the local community, need to build their own capacity to work in partnership and to offer a service that responds to community needs.
So this, in a sense, is our “what” circle. What are the key community needs? Now however, we must consider how we can deliver these needs.
28 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Pollards Hill Donald Hope
Mitcham Morden
West Barnes Raynes Park
Wimbledon Equal Access Heritage
The next part of the model, therefore, is the “how” circle – how might we respond to community needs in a library service delivery context. We have identified six key areas in how we might respond to need.
Outreach – this is a crucial part of how we meet need. It is through outreach that we can connect with local communities and with those people who don’t use libraries. Through outreach we can help to connect local people with the opportunities that libraries can offer and can help to put libraries at the heart of the community.
Promoting cultural diversity – initially we had “reflecting cultural diversity” in this part of the circle. However, we felt that a more proactive term was required if libraries are to be truly at the heart of people’s lives and are to respond to need. Further, Building on Success urges us to promote cultural diversity. If libraries are to be truly relevant, promoting cultural diversity is very important. This is also closely linked to the issue of empowerment. How disempowering must it be to go into one’s local library and find nothing in there to reflect one’s own culture?
Eventually, we would like to see cultural diversity broadened out to include promotion of diversity on a number of levels e.g. gender, sexuality, disability etc. to ensure that libraries are relevant to a wide cross section of the community. ICT – information and communications technology is an increasingly important force in people’s lives. With the arrival of the People’s Network computers libraries can connect the community with its need for information and knowledge, with skills development in ICT and also with e-government. “More
29 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 and more jobs require ICT skills – 60% of existing jobs and 90% of new jobs. The Internet provides access to cheaper goods and services and to more and more of the essential information we need to be active citizens.” (Public Library Journal, Winter 2001). Thus ICT is very linked to building social capital.
Audience development – we have used the term “Audience Development” and not “Reader Development” as we feel that it is a more inclusive term. Not all people are readers in the traditional sense e.g. some people may, through physical impairments, need to use Braille or talking books. Some may not be able to read and may feel that the term “Reader Development” is somewhat excluding. Some people may never be readers but they can still enjoy story, which is a powerful force in people’s lives. But, of course, audience development is not just about reading and story. It is also about arts events in libraries. Whilst arts events are an important part of promoting cultural diversity, they are also important in building confidence. In this way, therefore, audience development is linked to empowerment. Thus the work of the Ethnic Arts and Community Development Officer will be very much part of Audience Development work.
Supporting economic well-being – we have deliberately used the term “supporting economic well being” as opposed to “economic regeneration”, one of Merton Library and Heritage Service’s strategic objectives, as we feel that it is a more realistic term and ties in with Building on Success terminology. Whilst libraries cannot, in our opinion, regenerate communities in an economic sense, they can help to support economic well being in a number of ways e.g. business information; ICT classes for lone parents with crèche facilities; a range of learning opportunities for parents at home with children, enabling them to build the skills and confidence necessary to return to work; benefits advice for those seeking work/unable to work and so on.
Informal learning – we have deliberately used the term “informal learning” not lifelong learning because this is a model for Merton and in Merton we are fortunate enough to have two very good colleges – Merton College and Merton Adult College. Together these provide ample formal learning opportunities for Merton’s communities. Many people are more comfortable with informal learning and find that it fits in much better with their lifestyle. Libraries are well placed to respond to this need. Informal learning opportunities can be wide ranging – from ICT classes to literacy classes to how to connect with your local MP. They can include sessions on health information, healthy eating on a budget, getting a resident’s group together and so on. They can range from learning opportunities connected with employment to learning opportunities connected with citizenship. Informal learning does not preclude learning throughout one’s life but does refer to a certain kind of learning opportunity which libraries are well placed to deliver.
30 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Pollards Hill Donald Hope
` Mitcham Morden
West Barnes Raynes Park
Wimbledon Equal Access Heritage
There are certain guiding principles, which must underpin all aspects of service delivery.
Partnership – this is essential if libraries are to be relevant to the community. By working in partnership with other agencies, libraries can identify particular needs and work together to address them. By working in partnership, libraries can ensure that the services they offer are varied enough to respond to the varied and changing needs of the local communities.
Choice – closely linked to the issue of partnership is the issue of choice. We need to offer both a wide choice of services and a wide choice of how those services are accessed. Working in partnership will enable us to offer a wider choice, which is likely to mean greater relevance of services.
Consultation – consultation is vital if we are to know what the communities’ needs are. Libraries cannot be relevant if they do not know what the needs of the community are. Thus consultation is a vital first step in ensuring relevant services.
Planning – closely linked to the issue of consultation is that of planning. Services must be planned in line with consultation findings to ensure that they meet community needs.
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Balancing needs – this is likely to be one of our hardest tasks, as we must balance the needs of potential users with those of actual users. We are urged to do this by Building on Success and we must do this if we are to be relevant to the whole community.
Equalities – this relates to balancing needs. We must take into account the needs of actual and potential users if we are to be truly relevant and this means considering equalities issues. It also encompasses issues of transparency and democracy. We need to be clear about the decisions we take and to impart this information to the community. Painful decisions may need to be taken but addressing any inequality in service provision is something we cannot, nor should not, shy away from.
Summary
Libraries can be a dynamic force for social change
All strategic objectives must come together if we are to give communities opportunities to develop
Community needs must be our focus
Community needs must be our focus if we are to respond to challenges to put libraries at the heart of communities. If we fail to focus on community needs, we will not be relevant and this will signal the death knell of the public library. Libraries must change to remain relevant. This is not to say that all “traditional” services must be lost but that libraries can build on their traditional skills, can work in partnership with other agencies to ensure that libraries are at the heart of the community. In order to be there, however, libraries must respond to community needs.
In responding to community needs, our strategic objectives of Lifelong Learning, Community Development and Economic Regeneration must come together. In the past our strategic objectives have been viewed somewhat separately, with different people responsible for different areas. The danger of this is that one focuses on one’s “own” area and not on all areas. This may create a lack of clarity in how the objectives impact upon one another. The model presented here does, for the first time, address this issue and brings all the strategic objectives together. Recognising that they all impact upon one another, this model focuses on how all strategic objectives can be used in all service areas to
32 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 address the issue of community needs. In bringing the objectives together in one model, we feel that we have devised a model for all libraries in Merton to follow.
In bringing the strategic objectives together in this model, we feel that we have devised the beginning of a strategy that can help to put Merton’s libraries at the heart of its communities. By focusing on community needs and by being at the heart of the community, libraries can be a dynamic force for social change.
David Owen: What’s New? City Council from 1980 to 1998. And lo, Diversity No. 2 arrives in
October 2001 to confirm that I had I made the fundamental mistake of not been hallucinating. Thank you, e-mailing the Editor to check he was aware of the latest edition of the Hoi Dong, for your timely article, “Manchester Library Meets Needs of IFLA “Multicultural Communities: Refugees”, and for reminding me Guidelines for Library Services” that we won the CRE award in 1995. which were posted on IFLANET on
7th February 2002. Of course he was, thank you, and why not My purpose is not to boast but to remind people that “social inclusion” contribute an article to Diversity? is a not a new concept but a new What do you want me to write about term for what some public library I asked? Anything you fancy was the authorities have long striven to response, so here are the ramblings of one of the “boring old farts” of the achieve; addressing the needs of all the groups of citizens who make up library world. the population of the public library
authority’s area [and beyond in Last June I had the pleasure of Manchester’s case]. Some of us attending the “Libraries Change Lives” Award Ceremony at the used the term “community librarianship” to reflect our emphasis Library and Information Show which on addressing the needs of the was a really heart-warming occasion for all present. John Hegley was an community we served rather than concentrating our attention on “our excellent Master of Ceremonies and the presentations from the short- buildings and their contents” and what we provided from them for a listed project organisers were truly grateful public. For “community” excellent and inspiring. As we all know, Merton were the eventual read local communities and groups including: winners for their services to refugees and I could not help asking · ethnic minority groups Bob McKee, whom I was sitting next · disabled people to, “What’s new?” · older people · children My question was not intended to · gay men and lesbians disparage Merton as I have great · poor people respect for what John Pateman and his staff have achieved. My Ultimately, it was and still is a question reflected my age and fundamental class issue. We experience working for Manchester consciously chose to address the
33 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 needs of the less wealthy, objective to enhance access to oppressed groups by ensuring that library and information services for they got a fair share of our visually impaired people. To do so resources and attention. And now it is not to ignore the rights of other is official DCMS policy but we don’t oppressed groups as visually use terms such as “class”. For all impaired people are as diverse as too long public libraries have the rest of the community including claimed to be the “most inclusive of visually impaired children, older the public services” but as Bob people, gay men, lesbians, ethnic McKee says in Diversity (No. 2, p.5), minority people, poor people, multi- “If libraries are so including, why disabled people etc…. The “visually does the library profession appear to impaired community” is no more be so excluding?” Because we homogeneous than any other group haven’t proven that we are inclusive and the single common factor, visual enough to embrace the needs and impairment, should not be the label aspirations of oppressed minorities which enables us to classify their over a sufficiently long period of time needs and interests in a simplistic to achieve the requisite cultural and fashion which makes life easier for psychological changes which help librarians. Believe me, visually remove the barriers which we impaired people resent the inflicted on the oppressed groups assumptions they believe our and which have diminished our profession makes about their potential contribution to the creation reading interests. They want as of a more inclusive, equal, fair wide as possible choice in reading society and library profession. materials in formats they can access and if they are Income Tax and And that is why this “boring old Council Tax payers like the rest of library fart” welcomes the creation of us is that an unreasonable the Diversity Council and the use of expectation? Does your Council the word “Diversity”. As the editorial provide a rebate on Council Tax of Diversity No. 2 states, “In the final because your library does not analysis, the real issue is one of provide relevant and accessible social justice and human rights”. reading materials for them or their Well, where’s the social justice and children? where are your human rights if you are one of the 20,000 blind children Yes, I know it is not easy and that in the UK who has to rely on budgets are stretched. What’s new? charities to provide for your Budgets have been stretched for educational and leisure reading ever and particularly since the late needs by supplying materials in 1970’s. We can’t go on blaming our alternative formats which are Victorian predecessors for ignoring accessible to you? What’s the the needs and rights of blind people chance of social justice when only and handing over responsibility to 15% of public library authorities the charities. This is the age of have a policy statement on services social inclusion but, with many to disabled people? notable exceptions, it seems to me that the majority pay lip service My concentration on the needs and without making the sometimes rights of disabled people is difficult but correct managerial and deliberate and reflects my current professional decisions to reallocate
34 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 the necessary resources to address support service provided for other the needs of those we have failed local authorities with reasonable previously. Social inclusion is charges. It has been very first of dependent on the reallocation of such a service in Chinese language mainstream budgets, not short-term materials in this country. funding programmes which heighten expectations and increase the Since its launch six years ago, the disappointment when services service has grown both in size and cannot be sustained. It is also stature. We have built up a strong dependent on our dedicating the team with professional knowledge, same level of professional skills and modern technology, dedication and attention to oppressed groups as to hard work. Our aim is high quality other groups of library users. For and speedy service with better value example, when I witness the for money. So far twenty-five local extensive use of volunteers in authorities across the country have business information services I will joined our service. We, as the accept their involvement in the service provider, are continuing to provision of services to the improve the service to meet the “deserving poor”. I will also then information needs of the Chinese accept that the public library service community across the country. ethos, which I value, has ended. That will be new but it will not be Its advantages include: social inclusion within a public · Meeting the library needs of a service but an extension of charity. wider Chinese community; · Sharing of experienced staff David Owen expertise and Chinese Library Executive Director services; Share The Vision , National Library · Sharing of Chinese collection For The Blind · Cost-effective service Far Cromwell Road, Bredbury. · Generating income for Charing Stockport, SK 6 2SG Cross Library Tel: 0161-355-2079 ; Fax: 0161- 355-2098. To sum up, for those authorities who email: [email protected] can only afford small Chinese 28.02.02. collection, the CLSS is a trouble free and cost effective service. Compared with the typical price of Haiyan Kang: Chinese Library new Chinese fiction at about £8 Subscription Service each and the unit cost of a CLSS loan at £1.60, CLSS is certainly an Chinese Library Subscription attractive deal. Service (CLSS) was first launched in 1992 at Charing Cross Library, City For more information about CLSS, of Westminster. CLSS is an please contact: CLSS, Charing innovative framework designed to Cross Library, 4 Charing Cross serve the widely dispersed Chinese Road, London WC2H 0HG or community in the UK with telephone: 207 6414623. fragmented collections of Chinese materials. This is a book loan and
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The History of Chinese People in Chinese people settled in the area London and launched restaurants locally. As the restaurants enjoyed success, BBC www.london/yourlondon the area grew to be known as Accessed: 16th February 2002 Chinatown. Most of the Chinese who live in Britain today came from The Chinese community is one of Hong Kong. However, they also London's most dynamic ethnic come from the Caribbean, Taiwan, minorities and though Chinese mainland China, Malaysia, people live across London most Singapore and other countries in people regard 'Chinatown' in South East Asia. London's Soho as the social and symbolic centre of the community. 15,000 Chinese students currently live in the UK. They've brought Chinese people first came to Britain professional and technical skills to in the 1880s. The first arrivals were their 200, 000 strong community. mostly seamen who worked on Chinatown today has many steamships. Barracks provided by excellent Chinese restaurants as shipping companies were so well as shops selling food and cramped and basic, many took up cultural goods. Its main lodgings elsewhere – particularly the pedestrianised thoroughfare, East End's Limehouse District. Gerrard Street, serves as the focal point for the Chinese community in By 1913 this area was home to London. around 400 Chinese people and over 30 Chinese shops, restaurants, Africa must have a place on the laundries and hostels. In the 1930s UN security council a slump in shipping led to the decline of East End Chinatown. The Blitz destroyed much of the Colonel Gaddafi used the summit to remaining area during World War II. demand that Africa be compensated by its former colonial powers. "They Today only a few Chinese restaurants and a Chinese Sunday should officially apologise for their School stand as reminders of the wrongdoing," he said. He said the earlier Chinese presence. colonial powers should pay for the "casualties and material damage they have inflicted." During the 1950s, thousands of agricultural workers from Hong Kong were forced out of work by changes He also insisted that they should in the world rice markets. Many "return the antiquities they have came to Britain in search of a new stolen from Africa". And he said Africa should have a place on the livelihood and found work in the booming Chinese restaurant trade. United Nations Security Council. By this time British soldiers from the "We cannot continue to be useless war in the Far East had created a and powerless at the UN General new customer base for Chinese Assembly when Africa represents nearly a third of UN member cuisine. countries. "The African is greater During this period, property prices in than the Russian, the French or the the Soho area were low. Many
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British who hold vote powers at the focuses on the needs of those who Security Council." are excluded, those who do not/cannot access power and BBC World Service resources in society, whilst social 10 September, 1999 inclusion is often used to relate to the social cost to those of us who consider ourselves included of those John Vincent: Creating real who do not - through benefit diversity payments, vandalism, for example - and is also used by the Government [This is an edited version of to focus on spatial exclusion (“poor” Umbrella talk, July 2001] housing estates) and moral exclusion (teenage pregnancy, I am very pleased to be invited here rough-sleeping). We do need to to speak, partly because I think that think about the terms used - but, it’s important to recognise the more importantly, we need to do significance of this pre-Conference something about these problems. Conference, and partly because the last time I spoke to an Umbrella There is one big difference between meetings was exactly 10 years ago! 1991 and now: now we have a There I gave a paper called “1992 Government which has placed and beyond”, and I think that it is libraries in the centre of its national worth contrasting then and now. agenda. We are critical to the Then, I raised a number of delivery of a number of priorities, concerns, including the role of the e.g. the People’s Network, Lifelong BNP and the far right, and the role of Learning, tackling social exclusion: Black and other groups of library DCMS, Resource and the LA all staff - today, I think both these have us centre-stage. Contrary to concerns are still valid. popular belief, social exclusion was not invented by a few “loony lefties”: Then, I also raised the question of it is a central plank of Government my right to speak about these policy, and is here to stay. issues: I think that I am drawing on my experience, both as a library So, are we up to delivering all this? worker and as someone who is The answer has to be yes and no! involved in a parallel struggle, as a To start with the “nos”: gay man. · in Open to All?, we show that only 54% of the authorities which It seems to me that diversity is at the responded to our survey have core of what we are about, and we Black and ethnic minorities as a need to take every opportunity of service priority. Even allowing for taking forward this agenda, of those who responded from valuing and accepting difference, of authorities where there are very challenging behaviour and views few BEM communities, this is people hold. disgraceful! 20 years ago, the LA published Clough and Quarmby There is a lot of debate about the which suggested that we were terms “social exclusion” and “social getting on top of this area of inclusion”: I think that it is important service delivery - well, we aren’t; to recognise that social exclusion
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· from the training work we have and to help with the development been involved in, it is clear that of new ways of tackling senior managers may be on top exclusion; of the social exclusion · the Quality Leaders Project developments at national level, [about which others have but middle managers and spoken] has shown that it is frontline staff certainly are not. possible to develop services and Whilst I would not expect staff in tandem; frontline staff to be “au fait” with · the LA has established a central all the reports and other Policy Advisory Group to look at documents, I do think that they social inclusion across all types need to be aware of the key of library and information service; issues; · last, but not least, are those · there is a major difference services that are developing and between having an equal delivering services for socially opportunity policy and tackling excluded groups (and my social exclusion - the latter apologies to those of you that I involves targeting and haven’t mentioned): Enfield and mainstreaming provision, not just its services to children; Merton making services available to and Kent and their services for everybody; refugees and asylum-seekers; · labelled ‘politically correct’; Norfolk and its services to rural · we are generally a conforming areas, delivered in conjunction profession (look at some of our with Education; Knowsley and its attitudes, to clothes for services for adults with learning example!), and many library disabilities; Birmingham and its workers seem to shy away from reader development work; any conflict, whereas this is Manchester and its ICT where many a policy gets forged provision. and practice developed. Finally, I want to leave you with 4 On the other hand, on the “yes” key points to consider: side: · we are in danger of being ‘talked · Open to All? is being used by up’ to fail: therefore, we must many library authorities as part of make all this delivery of service their process for putting policies our reality; and practices into place, which · we must make sure that our will tackle social exclusion and services are sustainable, we remove barriers; must engage in long-term · the launch of the Diversity planning; Council is a real way forward in · Empowerment - how can we terms of tackling social break into the ‘charmed circle’? exclusion; · We need to be able to deal with · the Social Exclusion Action the conflicts and issues that Planning Network provides creating real diversity will bring. information via its Newsletter, training courses and conferences We must take this opportunity, now. to assist in keeping library and other sector workers up-to-date,
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Shiraz Durrani: Libraries and Global poverty… globalisation Against the backdrop of anti- globalisation protests at the G8
1 summit in Genoa, BBC News A recent conference in Sweden Online2 examines the facts about looked at what libraries around the the world economy and the gap world were doing during a period of between rich and poor: rapid social change in the 1960s · Global poverty is concentrated in and 70s. In years to come, perhaps South Asia, where half of the a similar conference will seek to world's poor live. Another quarter understand the stand that library live in sub-Saharan Africa, while workers took during the current one quarter live in East Asia, period of “globalisation” which is mainly China. likely to see the whole information · But as a proportion of the field, and public libraries in population, there are more particular, change beyond all people in poverty in Africa than recognition. The key question will anywhere else. perhaps be if we, as information · In the past decade poverty has workers, were active in this period in been rising in Africa, in South influencing the direction of change in Asia, and most dramatically in libraries or were we content to be Eastern Europe, where the driven by forces too powerful for us transition from communism has to understand, let alone influence. caused poverty rates to sky- Indications are that as a profession, rocket. information workers have sealed themselves in a time capsule, and · There is a huge gap between rich and poor countries across a prefer to appear “neutral” and “non- political” in a world where it is no range of health measures. longer possible to claim that one is · Looking at infant mortality, the outside major class struggles taking number of children who die place on a global scale. There are around the time of childbirth is of course exceptions. The current twenty times higher in sub- issue of Information for Social Saharan Africa and South Asia Change, for example, focuses on than in the rich industrial “Globalisation and Information”. countries. · Investment in education is seen First, let us see what is happening as the key to improving human all around us. Several recent news capital and building the capacity items provide an insight into the real for future economic contradictions of our time: development. But in many poor countries, only half of the children of secondary school age are enrolled in education, and many have functional illiteracy 1 Libraries in times of utopian thoughts and rates of nearly one-third. social protests – the libraries of the late 1960s · The internet has the power to and 1970s. A conference organised by the Round Table on Library History and the spread information rapidly section Library Theory and Research within between continents and between IFLA. 27-29 May 2001. Swedish School of Library and Information Studies, University 2 Wednesday, 18 July, 2001, 13:57 GMT - College of Bora0s, BORAS, Sweden. World inequality.
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rich and poor countries. But so ANSWER anti-war coalition. The far, there is a wide digital divide - following day 2,000-3,000 with 163 internet host sites per attended a peace rally. 1000 people in the United States, · ATHENS: over 10,000 people compared to only 0.31 internet marched through the Greek host sites in Africa. capital on Thursday evening last · Computer ownership and week. Maria Styllou from the internet use are also skewed Socialist Workers Party in towards the rich industrial Greece said, "We stopped countries - although Latin outside the parliament building, America and East Asia are but many people wanted to go catching up. on to protest outside the US embassy. We did that, despite …global protests the police." Fatima Jaffer publicises a few facts · AMSTERDAM: over 10,000 that shows how the world reacts to people marched in the biggest damage that corporate globalisation peace demonstration in Holland is doing. In a news posting entitled since the 1980s. It brought What CNN does not tell us,3 she together veteran anti-nuclear documents “Anti-war demos” by protesters with new people. looking at “demonstrators [who] took Over 150 organisations to the streets in many countries on supported it, including Afghan Saturday of last week”. refugees and Filipino migrant workers. · ROME: 50,000-70,000 people · BARCELONA: around 7,000 marched through the Italian marched against the war. capital. Earlier last week over · BERLIN: Some 5,000 joined a 20,000 people marched in march originally called to defend Naples despite the planned refugee rights. It took up anti- NATO meeting being cancelled. war slogans. Over 1,000 · WASHINGTON: over 15,000 marched in Frankfurt. There people protested in Washington were protests in Stuttgart, against the war over the Cologne and other German weekend. Saturday saw a cities. On Friday school students 2,000-strong march called by struck and marched in Hanover. the Anti-Capitalist Convergence · SYDNEY: 1,500 people group. It defied police marched, including members of intimidation and a miserable the construction workers' union, "counter-demonstration" by a which is now holding site couple of hundred rabid meetings to endorse a motion supporters of Bush's war. At against the war. midday the march joined the · TORONTO: about 1,200 people start of 10,000-strong demonstrated. There were also demonstration called by the protests in other Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax. The night before over 3 Fatima Jaffer
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There were also protests in service based on social justice and Prague in the Czech Republic, human rights without which there and Turkey's capital, Istanbul, can be no real democracy. where police waded in three times to stop a rally taking place. Libraries are at crossroads in today's technologically advanced youngrebels.com (3:21am Sat Jul and socially divided world. They can 21 2001) explains the motivation refuse to change from a traditional that drives millions of people around mould and die a slow but certain the world to take part in this death by becoming irrelevant to the international protest movement. needs of people. Or they can become people's champions and There are many of us who are satisfy, in a relevant way, their need determined to live a life of for information, knowledge, skills peace. We're not supposed to and culture. Libraries can become a recognize each other. We're not dynamic force of social change. But supposed to hear about each they need to change themselves other. We're not supposed to first. This requires information think for ourselves. It's simply workers to have qualities of effective not in the best interests of the leadership with a clear vision and dominators. But we are here. true commitment to people – and a readiness to change and work within For the first time in human a clear policy and planning history, our technology allows us framework and within specified to witness the condition of life on quality guidelines. They will need to Earth. We can choose to proceed work to a clear, well-defined set of along a destructive path, or we principles. can reach out to each other and exist in peace. There's no reason Once this is done, they can then join why we should be anything other hands with all positive forces and than a community of friends. It is provide a joined-up service needed our choice to make. by people. We need to build on the success of the past, and at the …and libraries same time to meet the challenges of While there have been many new times. Only through such a important positive achievements cultural shift will libraries survive and made by public libraries in Britain indeed thrive. over the last 150 years, it remains generally true that they are a service run by middle classes for middle Resource: Building on success; an classes. There is an urgent need to action plan for public libraries change this and to develop a true people's library that provides for the From: Resource’s draft document, needs of all, but especially those Building on success; an action plan for public libraries. 2001, London. whose needs are the greatest. It is only when these excluded Accessed 11 March 02. communities and people themselves http://www.resource.gov.uk/ are in a position to influence policies that there can be a relevant service. Executive summary It in only then that we can have a
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This Action Plan draws together the key catalyst will be Empowering the various commitments and tasks of Learning Community. We will also importance to libraries already set need to commission longitudinal out in Resource's Annual Workplan research into the impact of libraries for 2001/ 02, and identifies a on learning. Finally, 2005 is also the number of additional activities that target date by which all Government could form the basis for our future services should be capable of being public libraries work. delivered online. Insufficient attention has been paid so far to While it is clear there are substantial utilising the existing information areas of common interest across handling and advice skills of public Resource's three domains, it is also library staff for this purpose. There is essential to recognise and celebrate an advocacy role for Resource here the differences between them. One as well. (2: Developing and of the principal features that sustaining new services.) distinguish public libraries from museums and archives is that Social inclusion is a cornerstone of provision of public library services is Government policy and its a statutory duty on local authorities. recognition and promotion is one of Resource has an advocacy role, Resource's core values. Public both in demonstrating to libraries are especially powerful Government the value of the agents for inclusiveness, and are outcomes public libraries deliver, frequently the only point of access to and in advising on funding needs to information and learning that is ensure that those outcomes can be available to the deprived, the sustained. (1: Introduction.) excluded or the disaffected. Concerns about the accessibility of Two of the most significant drivers of services should not be limited to change within public libraries are the issues of physical access such as increasing impact of information and the provision of ramps and lifts for communications technology on our people with special mobility lives and the emerging role of requirements. Resource promotes a learning as a catalyst for individual far wider definition that embraces development at every stage of life. the presentation of services for The vital role of museums, archives people with sensory impairment or and libraries in responding to the learning difficulties, the provision of challenges they present is set out in specialist services and the use of Resource's ICT and Learning and adaptive technologies, and the Access strategic plans for action. development of a much broader Resource is well aware of the effort understanding of the needs of the that public library managers are majority of users. Simply to make a making to ensure the success of the large investment in existing buildings People's Network project and will without assessment of need, represent their concerns about identification of alternative solutions sustainable funding to policy makers or changed methods of provision as forcefully as possible. The public would lack the strategic view that library service will also need to service managers must apply and develop other roles that underpin that Resource will need to co- the growth of formal and informal ordinate. Resource plans to provide learning competencies, for which a the information that will be needed
42 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 to argue the case for talented workforce to the public increased capital investment, library service, and the quality of possibly through changes in the training that public library staff rules for Lottery funding. (3: Access receive, are of paramount to services.) importance. We will need to work closely with professional bodies, In recent years, the public sector including the Library Association generally and local authorities in and the Society of Chief Librarians, particular have become more on leadership and involved in the processes of training issues. (5: Capacity building planning, impact evaluation and and co-operation.) quality assurance. A battery of statistical series is intended to On the 10th day… provide comprehensive pictures of the service and the effect it is having on communities served. However it Mgeni Siku ya Kumi cannot be said that this Babel of mpe jembe akalime measures and activity has as yet akirudi muagane produced any significant improvement. Resource is therefore On the tenth day working to find the means of give the guest a hoe to go to the producing more convergence in the farm information that is gathered. (4: when they come back, they will say Service planning, development and good-bye! quality assurance.) “This Kiswahili saying was part of Public libraries have a long tradition the oral resistance of the people of of co-operation at both regional and Kenya against British colonialism. national level. These activities fit The reference is to getting rid of the well with Resource's commitment to foreigners who are seen as invest in the development of temporary visitors who have to be regional organisations in England. pushed out and sent home. The real Resource will substantially increase meaning of the saying was not clear the level of its investment in regional to the colonial administration and so agencies in order to establish a could be used openly. The form single cross-domain strategic used to pass on this message was regional agency in each English also new. Such messages were region by April 2004. In financial written on women's khangas and so year 2002/ 03 it is expected further reached a wide audience right in funding will be provided to assist their homes. It also shows that with learning and funding needs. women played a very active part in Other models for co-operation are the anti-colonial struggle. This is an becoming increasingly available to example of the liberation movement public libraries, including arm's providing socially relevant message, length arrangements with other in a relevant form, and in an organisations, and increased accessible language - Kiswahili”. capacity to raise and share - From: Durrani, S. Never be resources between organisations silent; publishing and imperialism in will bring new opportunities. Finally, Kenya, 1886-1963. To be published the attraction and retention of a
43 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 in 2002 by Vita Books/Mau Mau distributed by trades union councils, Research Centre (London/New who are the trade unions' York). campaigning arm in the community.
TUC Organising Officer, Raj Jethwa, Part 2 Understanding the world said: 'Unions are stepping up their campaigning against this appalling workplace racism. We are aiming to This “Equal” Britain help black and Asian workers take action against exclusion from job opportunities, being passed over for Racism at Work promotion, and bullying.'
Racism is still a major problem in Britain's workplaces as Number of Black people unemployment remains up to three stopped by police rises times higher among black and Asian workers than it is among white Alan Travis, home affairs editor. workers in some parts of the Monday March 11, 2002 country. Responding to this The Guardian problem, the TUC launched a new advice leaflet Racism at Work The number of black people who (February 02), to help workers have been stopped and searched by tackle the problem. the police has increased according to official figures to be released by Figures revealed by the TUC show the home secretary, David Blunkett, that unemployment among black today. and Asian workers stands at 11 per cent nationally compared to five per The latest figures show that the cent for their white counterparts. In police use of their stop and search the West Midlands black and Asian powers fell by a further 17% in the unemployment is a high as 15 per year to April 2001 but the number of cent compared to five per cent black people stopped went up by among white workers in the region. 4%. Black people are still seven times more likely to be stopped by The new leaflet asks: 'Is there racial police. bullying or discrimination in your workplace?' And it suggests that workers suffering discrimination to Equal Pay Campaign contact their union workplace Launched in Wales representative, or go to their union equality officer at head office, or ring the TUC's Know your rights line on Despite 30 years of equal pay legislation the pay gap between 0870 600 4 882 for help. The leaflet women and men in Wales refuses to contains 10 different languages through which readers are invited to close completely , Felicity Williams, Assistant General Secretary of the join a union. The languages are: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Wales TUC said on 7th March 2002 at the launch of “Close the Gap” - a Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, year long equal pay campaign. Urdu, and Welsh. The leaflets will be
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Source: TUC Email Alerts - Press “Even now women working full-time Releases, 5 March 2002. only earn around 87 pence for every pound earned by male full-time Northern TUC calls for workers. For part-timers the figure better deal for women drops to around 60 pence. Felicity Williams , Assistant General Secretary of the Wales TUC and a A new report published by the member of the National Assembly's Northern TUC reveals that North joint Equal Pay Panel said: “Women East women feel that they are in Wales continue to earn on getting a raw deal at work. 37% of average 13% less than men. the women who took part in a Inequality can be compounded survey revealed that they felt they because employers are unaware had been discriminated against at that their pay agreements and work. bonus or benefits systems are inherently discriminatory, if indeed “The Women at Work” report is they exist at all for many women. based on extensive research into Wherever pay discrimination exists, the working lives of North East trade unions have done a great job women, including interviews and challenging the bad employers who focus groups with women in the think they can get away with paying region, 889 survey responses to a their female staff less. That is why Northern TUC questionnaire, reports we are so pleased to be jointly from union officials and government launching 'Close the Gap' ”. statistics.
'Close the Gap' aims to: Findings in the report include: · Close the 13% pay gap · 37% of women responding to the between men and women in survey questionnaire felt that Wales; they had been discriminated · Promote co-operation against at work; between key partners such as · On average, female manual employers, trade unions and workers working full-time take enterprise bodies to achieve home a weekly wage worth 62% the campaign's objectives; of men's earnings in the North · Encourage employers to East; conduct pay reviews to · The lowest paid employees in identify and correct any pay the North East are part time inequalities that exist. workers. There are more than four times as many women in “Close the Gap” is a joint campaign part time work than there are between the Wales TUC, The men; National Assembly for Wales and · Women still have much greater the Equal Opportunities family responsibilities than men - Commission. making it harder for them to work http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc- full time; 4525-f0.cfm Visit the addresses · Flexible working is a two edged above to view the documents in full, sword. Sometimes flexibility can in print format or in text-only format. help women to combine work and family life. But flexibility can
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also be used by managers as an this is not easy, especially when the excuse to impose sudden employer suddenly changes your changes in working hours that shift times. make things very difficult for women with family Unions are generally doing a great responsibilities; job supporting women workers, but · Women enter the workforce with more can, and should be done, to better average qualifications than make sure the issues that affect men, and are keen to undertake women are higher up the bargaining education and training that will agenda. The report clearly shows widen their career opportunities. that a woman's place is in her However, despite this the 'gender union!” pay-gap' remains a real problem. To request a copy of this report: · Only 20% of women who complete the online order form at responded to the survey www.tuc.org.uk/equality/women_at_ questionnaire said that they work_form.cfm or contact Melanie returned to the same kind of job Lowden on 0191 232 3175 or email: after taking a career break. [email protected] 22 Feb 2002 Twice as many women returned 04:10 to a job with less responsibility Contains details of how to order and less money than returned to your copy of this report. one with more; and http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc · Only 5% of women in the North East work in higher managerial or professional occupations, Injustice compare to 13% of men. INJUSTICE - the feature length The report also reveals the positive documentary about deaths of black work being carried out by unions to people in police custody - will have a ensure that women get a fair deal at special screening on the 13th March work. at the Prince Charles Cinema, London. This special screening will Toshie Habu , Northern TUC be hosted by Index on Censorship Equalities project worker, who who monitor censorship issues compiled the report, commented: across the world. “Equality means equal access to education and training, and it means Injustice has been described as the giving proper benefits and fair most politically controversial film of wages for part-time workers, who recent years. This breathtaking are often women. Equality also piece of cinema has reduced means taking the work-life balance audiences to tears with its moving seriously. Employers need to be portrayal of the struggles for justice sensitive to the fact that many of by the families of people who have their workers will have family died at the hands of police officers. responsibilities. Women are trying The attempts by police officers to hard to combine work with raising a censor the film have also made family, but when you are on a low Injustice the subject of national and income, perhaps working part-time, international attention.
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showed that almost half of the UK's The film makers of Injustice have top 100 FTSE companies had no also been nominated for the Annual female non-executive directors, let Index On Censorship Awards for the alone executives. In January, Lady "Best Circumvention of Censorship" Hogg became the first chairwoman in 2001. of a FTSE-100 firm when she took the helm of venture capital group 3i. Information Line: 0901 2727 007 Booking Line: 020 7494 3654. In her letter Ms Hewitt has asked For details of other screenings, businesses to show how flexible articles, stills and press log onto: working practices, as well as shorter www.injusticefilm.co.uk hours, had helped them retain and promote talented women. She told Sexism in the City attacked last night's audience: "I see the gap by Hewitt in men's and women's representation in business every Patrick Wintour day. This isn't about some silly Thursday February 28, 2002, political correctness. If we're only The Guardian recruiting from half the human talent pool, it is not surprising we've got Patricia Hewitt, the industry skills shortages. So smart secretary, yesterday used her companies recognise that diversity annual address to British and family-friendly working are good businesses at the Mansion House in for the bottom line. London to tell them to end sexism in the City by removing the barriers "When women are one in three of that stop women flourishing. Ms our business owner-managers, Hewitt wrote last week to the top nearly half the workforce, and make 100 rated firms to ask what policies the majority of decisions as they were introducing to encourage consumers, equal opportunities and flexible working practices for economic success go hand-in- women. hand." Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited Urging a cultural shift across 2002 business, she said yesterday that her diary showed that in the past 20 days she had met 100 businessmen and only 10 businesswomen, Too many were old, white although she insisted "I'm not going and male to patronise the women here or lecture the men". She said: "We Learn from history, but don't let it need to take a hard look at our stay in the office record in promoting women to senior http://www.lgcnet.com/ Accessed: 6 positions in business." March 2002
Ms Hewitt's letter to businesses Yet again, the results of a census of followed surveys revealing that the councillors has proved a disgrace. number of women in top business jobs has been declining. A Cranfield A 1997 census of councillors in Institute survey in November England and Wales showed too
47 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 many were old, white and male. A fast track promising young 2001 census published today shows councillors to leadership positions. the situation is, if anything, even But this will amount to nothing if worse. Last year, councillors were attitudes do not alter when it comes likely to be slightly older and more to attracting new members to local likely to be white, than in 1997. parties and selecting them as Fewer than half were working and candidates in winnable seats. almost 40% were retired. Over 70% were men. Change will require strenuous, unprecedented effort from parties The bundle of issues contained in and existing councillors to ensure a these simple-sounding statistics are different kind of candidate is fundamental to local government's interested and gets nominated. It will future. Elected politicians need to be mean elderly, white, male representative to stay in touch with councillors standing down to make the needs of their constituents. The way for new blood. more out of touch with their communities councils become, the Is this a bullet members and local more election turnouts will fall and branches are prepared to bite? the more central government will view local government as irrelevant. The way ahead Local government will not pick up its community leadership role if there is a dislocation between communities Equality Standard receives and their supposed representatives. Best Value approval The cost of such a dislocation is great, as the troubles experienced by Bradford MBC, Burnley BC and 21 February 2002 http://www.lg- Oldham MBC bear witness. employers.gov.uk/documents/news/
The problem lies in two places. One news_02/equalitybvpr.txt Accessed: 6 March 2002 is the conditions which make it so difficult for people with other The Equality Standard for local responsibilities such as families and government, launched in October jobs to stand for election. The other problem is party politics. Local 2001, has been approved as a Best Value Corporate Health branches are too often dull, impenetrable, unwelcoming fiefdoms Performance Indicator. With effect from April 2002, it will replace the run for the benefit of individual former CRE Race Equality Standard political careers rather than for the public at large. Unless you are (Racial Equality Means Quality). prepared to enter this world, play by the old guard's rules and cultivate CRE chairman Gurbux Singh said: "This signals a pressing change in the network you need to get a the way local government talks and nomination, there is a serious danger you will be kept out. responds to diverse communities. Becoming a Best Value indicator
The Improvement & Development means that the Equality Standard will be put at the heart of the work of Agency is launching a scheme to
48 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 all local authorities - wherever they management principles to are and whatever their size. It will mainstream their equality practice. help authorities to integrate diversity The flexible framework allows fully through their policies, ethos and authorities of different sizes and services. I hope the changes this different communities to determine brings will be felt in communities local priorities and structures, across Britain." supported by evidence-based auditing. The Standard focuses on The Standard is the product of the the main equality issues regarding first partnership activity between the race, gender and disability, and can Employers' Organisation for local be adapted to accommodate government (EO), the Commission legislation on other anti- for Racial Equality, the Equal discrimination measures. Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission. The The Equality Standard recognises Standard framework was developed the importance of fair and equal by Stuart Speeden and Dr Julian treatment in local government Clarke from the Centre for Local services and employment and has Policy Studies at Edge Hill College, been developed as a tool to enable in consultation with interest groups authorities to mainstream gender, and local authorities. race and disability into council policy and practice at all levels. More than 250 authorities have purchased copies of the Standard. Towards equality and The EO is producing additional diversity guidance to assist authorities in implementation of the Standard, Implementing the Employment and and has begun to recruit associate Race Directives consultants to offer direct assistance http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality/ where required. Accessed: 6 March 2002
For further information please The UK took an active part in the contact Dawn Chapman, Press and negotiation of the EC Employment PR Officer on 020 7296 6575 or and Race Directives, and welcomes email: dawn.chapman@lg- the outcome. Together, the employers.gov.uk Directives provide a common framework of protection against Copies of the Equality Standard are unfair discrimination across Europe. available from Steven Batcup on Their implementation in Great 020 7296 6737 or at Britain will involve introducing new [email protected] legislation to outlaw discrimination on grounds of age, sexual Based on five levels covering four orientation and religion in performance areas (leadership and employment and training. The corporate commitment; consultation, Government also proposes to community development and implement some changes to the scrutiny; service delivery and Disability Discrimination and Race customer care; employment and Relations Acts. training), the Standard enables local authorities to build on sound
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Towards Equality and Diversity project. The four agencies being contains the Government's approached are: proposals for taking forward this work. It consults on general issues 1. Resource – have now agreed which include the definition of 2. The Library Association/CILIP – indirect discrimination, tackling to reconsider after the formation harassment, and effective ways of of CILIP providing advice, guidance and 3. Laser Foundation – to apply support both to business and once their bidding process starts individuals. Your responses to these in June. issues, and on specific points on 4. Hamlyn Foundation – after race, sexual orientation, religion, preliminary discussions, it was disability and age, will help us frame agreed to submit a “youth QLP” workable legislation and prepare component proposal in May supporting guidance which meets 2002. Anyone with bright ideas your needs. The consultation closes on this should contact a member at the end of March 2002. of QLP Advisory Group.
To order a copy of the 'Towards Look out for the next issue of QLP Equality and Diversity' document, News in May 2002 for further details please phone 0845 60 222 60 – or contact the Editor of Diversity. quoting ref code: URN 01/1466.Available in Arabic, Some background Chinese, Gujarat, Hindi, English, The Quality Leaders Project (QLP) Welsh, Learning disabled versions. aims to address a number of recent policy areas surrounding social exclusion and the provision of public Shiraz Durrani: The Quality services to black and minority ethnic Leaders Project rolls out groups which have arisen following publication of the Roach and Morrison report and the Stephen Resource was one of the four Lawrence enquiry. The context of organisations approached by QLP to the modernisation and reform of fund a roll- out programme following public services through legislative the successful conclusion of the pilot frameworks such as Best Value project in which Birmingham and represents an opportunity and, in Merton libraries took part. We are some cases, a major obligation pleased to announce that they have upon public service providers to generously agreed to fund the include measures targeted programme so that at least 10 specifically at the Black communities library authorities will be able to in Best Value performance plans. participate in the roll out programme Specifically, the QLP seeks to when it starts later this year. address this agenda through an innovative management Taken as a whole, the proposal development approach towards seeks funding from four organisation service development which has enable about 40 authorities to be become known as “management included in the roll out project if all development through service organisation agree to fund the development”. Two previous phases of QLP development have already
50 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 taken place – a feasibility study Onora O'Neill challenges current completed in April 2000 (MRC, approaches to accountability, 2000) and a pilot study completed in investigates sources of deception in July 2001 (MRC, 2001). This our society and re-examines funding application relates to an questions of press freedom. The extension and rolling out of the QLP Reith Lectures will be broadcast on into a third development phase. Radio 4 in April on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Co-ordination of the project would Details from: be taken on by the Management http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith200 Research Centre of the University of 2/schedule.shtml North London and would involve attendance and facilitation at 6-9 action learning workshops as well as IFLA’s year of Democracy, the production of materials and Diversity, Delivery dealing with the day to day issues and problems which arise, including all aspects of communications. The theme of the International Federation of Library Associations For a full history of QLP see: and Institutions (IFLA)’s 68th General Conference and Council in Shiraz Durrani: Combating racial th th discrimination in British public Glasgow (August 18 to 24 ) is libraries: the role of the Quality Libraries for Life: Democracy, Leaders Project. Library Diversity, Delivery. The following Management 2002: Vol. 23 (1,2) 23- section focuses on some work done 52. by IFLA on issues that readers of Diversity may find informative. Further details are available at: A Question of Trust – 2002 http://www.ifla.org/index.html Reith Lectures Libraries for the Blind This year's Reith lectures present a Section philosopher's view of trust and deception, and ask whether and how trust can be restored in a The Section of Libraries for the modern democracy Blind concerns itself with library services for the blind and other We say we no longer trust our public print handicapped readers. The main purposes of the Section are to services, institutions or the people who run them. Politicians, promote national and international accountants, doctors, scientists, cooperation in this field, and to businessmen, auditors and many encourage research and others are treated with suspicion. development in all aspects of this area, thus improving the access of Their word is doubted, their motives are questioned. Whether real or information for the blind and other perceived, this crisis of trust has a print handicapped persons. debilitating impact on society and democracy. The Section is thus concerned with the implementation of service goals,
standardization of material,
51 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 problems of copyright, bibliographic the ethnic, linguistic and cultural control, technical standards, free groups represented in all societies. transmission of postal and tele- communications or any means of It is not intended that these distribution of material, and the guidelines should be taken in identification of the locations of isolation from other standards and special format collections and guidelines. In particular, they are activities for the blind and other print meant to be used in conjunction with handicapped readers. standards and guidelines for particular types of libraries in each Multicultural Communities; country and with international Guidelines for Library standards. It is intended that the central principle of these guidelines, Services that of equity, should be used in applying existing standards and 2nd edition, revised (1998). guidelines for public, school, Latest Revision: February 6, 2002. academic and other libraries. Copyright © International Federation of Library A It is also important that library ssociations and Institutions services to ethnic, linguistic and www.ifla.org cultural minorities should not be seen in isolation or as additional to These guidelines are based on "normal" services. They must be Standards for multicultural public seen as integral to any library library service compiled by the service. Working Group on Multicultural Library Services (Victoria) and Ethnic, Linguistic and Cultural published in August 1982 by the Diversity Working Group and the Library Guidelines Council of Victoria, Australia. Library service should be provided to all ethnic, linguistic and cultural Multicultural communities groups in society equitably and without discrimination. The Guidelines for Library Service Guidelines give details under the These guidelines have been following headings: compiled and published in order to promote standards of fairness and 1. — Responsibility for Provision equity in library service to ethnic, 2. — Library Materials linguistic and cultural minorities. The 3. — Cross-Cultural Materials and guidelines provide criteria against Services which the adequacy of existing 4. — Information and Reference services may be assessed; provide Services a basis for the planning of library 5. — Technical Services services to all groups in the 6. — Extension Services community; provide an equitable 7. — Staffing basis for the purchase of materials 8. — Special Groups and the provision of services; and we believe that their implementation Get full details at: will also encourage mutual International Federation of Library understanding and tolerance among Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
52 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 http://www.ifla.org/index.html · Encourage collection development and establishment of information services on Round Table for Women's women's issues worldwide. Issues · Promote literacy and life-long and distance learning for women. Scope
The Round Table on Women's The role of Public Libraries Issues concerns itself extensively in lifelong learning with questions and issues that have special relevance for women in the A Project under the section of Public library profession and in the user Libraries, IFLA community. Further it develops programmes designed to enhance During the 20th century education the opportunities and the image of has become recognised as an these two groups of women. The individual right; for the individual, Round Table on Women's Issues education and learning is a road to promotes the collection, research, personal development and a richer publication and dissemination of life. Furthermore, a higher general information on the status of women level of education is a necessary in librarianship. Another concern is prerequisite for economic growth to identify discrimination in all forms, and employment. and disparities in resources, programmes, and opportunities During the last decades, and relating to women in librarianship. especially during the last decade, The Round Table on Women's the necessity of lifelong learning has Issues will collaborate with and been on the top of the political support Sections, Round Tables and agenda. groups within IFLA interested in these issues. 1996 Jaques Delors in his introduction of the report to Goals, 1998-2001 UNESCO of the International · Provide a forum for discussion of Commission on Education for the issues concerning women in Twenty-first Century, Learning: the librarianship. treasure within, wrote: "Our century · Provide opportunities for has been as much one of sound and research into the role of women fury as of economic and social in librarianship and insure its progress - progress that in any case dissemination. has not been equally shared. At the · Communicate with groups within dawn of a new century the prospect librarianship and other of which evokes both anguish and information professions who hope, it is essential that all people have similar concerns. with a sense of responsibility turn · Promote the inclusion of their attention to both the aims and women's issues in library and the means of education. It is the information education. view of the Commission that, while · Promote awareness of the education is an ongoing process of Round Table on Women's Issues improving knowledge and skills, it is within IFLA membership. also - perhaps primarily - an
53 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 exceptional means of bringing about and quality rating of information personal development and building sources. Thus, public libraries are relationships among individuals, necessary if not sufficient groups and nations." This view was prerequisites for a democratic explicitly adopted by the members of knowledge society. the Commission when they accepted their mandate. In this new situation public libraries and professional librarians will Life long learning contains various though have to change and adapt to forms of education and training, new demands, professional tasks formal and informal, e.g. the school and working conditions. At the system from primary to tertiary level, present though, we need more the free adult education, informal knowledge about how libraries and search and training, individually, in a the professional profiles of librarians group setting or within the should be designed in order to framework of social movements. improve their preconditions to meet the new needs and demands Within all these forms of education directed towards them. and training, there is a necessity of working methods developing the Libraries have developed in concert ability to search for information and with their local and national history. develop knowledge actively and Political, economic and social independently. The classroom and circumstances create, shape and the traditional textbook must develop libraries. Among libraries therefore be supplemented by we can find diversity and difference. archives, libraries and museums, The most modern and well- institutions offering a broad choice of equipped library is not necessarily different media and professional the most developed in the art of guidance in information search. stimulating popular participation and democracy. In order to develop Public libraries and lifelong learning tomorrow's library and librarian, we In a society of lifelong learning - will have to build on the experiences whether of a formal or informal gained in radically different settings. nature - public libraries will be nodes connecting the local learning setting A first step in this process - in the with the global resources of process of shaping the libraries and information and knowledge. Public librarians of tomorrow - will be to libraries must therefore be allowed gather information and good to play a role of fundamental examples from contemporary importance in the development of experiences, whether they come future systems of lifelong learning. from north, south, east or west. The development of the information and communication technology has already laid the basis for the creation of information networks, The aim of the project giving users even of small local The aim of the proposed project is public libraries access to the world therefore to explore the possibilities wide sources of information. The for public libraries to play a more public libraries also offer guidance strategic role in lifelong learning and training in information search establish tools for libraries and
54 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 librarians to become active partners IFLA Position on The World in educational systems. Trade Organization
This will be done by information Introduction gathering and analysis of best practice examples with the aim to The World Trade Organization identify needs of change regarding (WTO), with a growing membership e.g. library design, collection of over 140 countries, oversees a management and professional variety of treaties governing profiles as well as models for international trade. The WTO network building within the library treaties with the most significant community, between the library implications for libraries and the community and the educational information sector are the General community and between public Agreement on Trade in Services libraries and the local society. (GATS) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Libraries are a public good. They are unique social organizations dedicated to providing the broadest Libraries Serving range of information and ideas to the public, regardless of age, Disadvantaged Persons religion, physical and mental health, social status, race, gender or The Section for Libraries Serving language. The long-established Disadvantaged Persons is library traditions of intellectual concerned with library and freedom and equitable access to information services to all those information and cultural expression groups within the community who for form the basis for ensuring that whatever reason are unable to make library goals are achieved. use of conventional library services. These groups include people in Libraries of all types form an hospitals and prisons, the elderly in interrelated network, which serves nursing homes and care facilities, the citizenry, from the great national, the house-bound, the deaf and the state and research institutions to physically and developmentally public and school libraries. The well disabled. being of libraries is essential in ensuring access to the full range of This Section provides an human expression and providing international forum for the individuals with the skills necessary discussion of ideas, sharing of to access and use this content. experiences and development of projects designed to promote and There is growing evidence that WTO improve the effectiveness of library decisions, directly or indirectly, may and information services to such adversely affect the operations and groups, and the promotion of future development of library national and international services, especially in not-for-profit cooperation at all levels. institutions.
Background
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It is important to recognize that the in any agreements, which cover the WTO, and the international trade Member State. authorities of its members, are engaged in shaping policy and The GATS Agreement does not applications of this policy on an apply to "services supplied in the ongoing basis. While the infrequent exercise of government authority". Ministerial Conferences with their Critics have argued that the WTO attendant protests are the most will interpret this clause very visible manifestation of the narrowly. The GATS agreement negotiations, the process is itself states "a service supplied in continuous, with decisions often the exercise of government authority reached without public scrutiny. means any service, which is What makes the WTO unique is that supplied neither on a commercial it has a binding dispute mechanism basis, nor in competition with one or as part of its operations with the more service providers". With the strongest enforcement procedures advent of for profit on-line content of any international agreement. IFLA providers targeting individual users urges its members to inform of education services and public themselves on the WTO and their libraries, the potential for GATS national trade policy deliberations challenges to traditional library and to promote the library and service is increasing. While the related issues when possible. concept of allowing "competition" Awareness of international trade appears benign, the eventual issues is a necessary component of outcome of such challenges will be effective advocacy in shaping the undermining of the tax- national policy, programmes and law supported status of public sector as they relate to library service. libraries at the national, regional and local levels. Without tax support, the Specific Concerns library's role as a democratic Not- for- profit libraries institution, making available the The GATS Agreement has the widest range of material reflecting potential to open up all aspects of a the diversity of society, will be national economy to foreign compromised. competition including public sector services such as libraries. In their submissions to the GATS Corporations can be set up in any negotiations, individual countries Member State and compete against make commitments on service public services. In such instances, sectors which would then be subject the foreign corporation can to GATS requirements. At the challenge government support for commencement of the second public sector service and could round of GATS negotiations in 2001, claim national treatment; i.e. the thirteen members had made a same level of subsidy received from commitment to open negotiations on the government by the public sector "libraries, archives, museums and agency. Sub-Central governments other cultural services."(1) Given (state/provincial, regional and that specific library services will fall municipal governments and their under other GATS categories such management boards) are included as communications ("on-line information and data retrieval; electronic data interchange"), even if
56 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 they have not listed library service, it with this diversity continues to be a is probable that many more challenge. countries will be entering into GATS negotiations, which will directly As we begin a new century, the affect libraries. ethnic balance of our population is shifting dramatically. Demographers IFLA encourages its members to predict that by the year 2050, promote awareness of library values African-Americans, Asian Pacific and concerns in the context of Islanders, Latino/Hispanics, and GATS to the trade negotiators in Native Americans will constitute the their country. The potentially far- majority of Americans. reaching implications of trade liberalization in services for not-for- But diversity applies to more than profit libraries should be openly race and ethnicity. It applies to debated. Negotiators should be physical disabilities, sexual strongly encouraged to ensure that orientation, age, language and government support for traditional social class. library service is not exposed to a GATS challenge. Democracy is rooted in respect for all people. Respect is based on American Library Association understanding. Librarians believe and social responsibility that education is key to building communities and a nation based on
understanding and respect. “Diversity” is a relatively new term in
British information field. The From: ALAAction No. 4 in a series. American Library Association has http://www.ala.org/work/diversitybro been addressing issues of diversity chure.html for a very long time. The following Accessed: 06 March 02 section looks at some aspects of how the ALA addresses Social Responsibility. America's Libraries and the Homeless Why Diversity? Promoting equal access to Diversity is one of five key action information for all people, including areas adopted by the American homeless and low-income people, is Library Association to fulfil its the number-one priority of the mission of providing the highest American Library Association (ALA). quality library and information Many librarians play a leadership services for all people. The role in addressing the problem of association actively promotes equal homelessness in their communities access to information for all people by working in cooperation with other through libraries and encourages agencies and by providing direct development of library services for services such as special reading diverse populations. collections in shelters for the homeless, literacy programs and The strength of our nation is the information and referral services. diversity of its people. How we deal
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Examples of how libraries serve the referral service, ACCESS, homeless: recognized as the central · A "Street Card" listing services information and referral agency such as food, health, shelters, for the county. Many other winter services, legal aide, libraries, including the San Diego welfare and employment was Public Libraries and created by the Baltimore (Md.) Memphis/Shelby County (Tenn.) County Public Library in Public Library and Information cooperation with the Baltimore Center, operate referral services County Coalition for the that aid the homeless. Homeless. · Many libraries, including the San · The Multnomah County Public Francisco and Milwaukee Public Library in Portland, Ore., and Libraries, sponsor or participate Milwaukee (Wis.) Public Library in literacy programs that benefit received federal grants to create the homeless. reading rooms in centers for the homeless. Check out: · A public library in Haverhill, http://www.ala.org/pio/factsheets/ho Mass., includes a "community meless.html room" specifically designed for Accessed: 28 February 2002 an estimated 150 of the town's homeless. Newspapers, Social Responsibilities and magazines and paperbacks are the American Library provided, along with information Association on community social services. · The San Francisco Public Do libraries and librarians have Library provides library cards to social responsibilities? They the homeless as well as those SRRTainly do! with permanent addresses. The Social Responsibilities Round Table library provides extensive of the American Library Association programming for children, (SRRT) including storyhours and films, at city shelters for the homeless. SRRT is a unit within the American The Free Library of Philadelphia Library Association. It works to operates a similar program. make ALA more democratic and to · The Special Services and establish progressive priorities not Manhattan branch offices of The only for the Association, but also for New York Public Library operate the entire profession. Concern for projects for the homeless in human and economic rights was an welfare hotels, motels and day- important element in the founding of care shelters. Services include SRRT and remains an urgent special reading collections, concern today. SRRT believes that educational and cultural libraries and librarians must programs, parenting workshops recognize and help solve social and volunteer readers who read problems and inequities in order to stories to children. carry out their mandate to work for · The Cumberland County Public the common good and bolster Library in Fayetteville, N.C., democracy. operates an information and
58 Diversity No. 3 March 2002
Current SRRT Task Forces Fosters--through programs, Alternatives in Publication: lobbying, and publications--a greater Advocates local selection and awareness of the dimensions, cataloging of materials from small causes, and ways to end hunger, and alternative presses and homelessness, and poverty, as well independent producers by as a better recognition of the sponsoring programs and Internet library/poverty nexus. Also monitors discussions; linking grassroots and encourages implementation of groups; and producing reviews, ALA's Policy on Library Services to articles, exhibits, on-line resources, Poor People. the biennial Alternative Publishers of Books in North America, etc. Gives International Responsibilities : annual Jackie Eubanks Memorial Provides a forum for discussion of Award of $500 to an individual for and work on the international outstanding achievement in dimension of SRRT issues, promoting acquisition and use of especially matters concerning alternative materials in libraries. human rights and freedom of expression. Particular emphasis is Coretta Scott King: Presents given to current situations in which annual awards to Black authors and U.S. policy is likely to have a major illustrators of children's books who impact. have promoted "better understanding and appreciation of ACTION COUNCIL the culture and contribution of all The Action Council governs SRRT. peoples to the realization of the Composed of task force and state American dream." affiliate representatives and ten persons elected by SRRT Environment: Promotes awareness membership, Action Council holds of environmental issues within ALA; open meetings at annual and addresses information exchange on midwinter ALA conferences. SRRT's the world environment; and provides Action Council passes resolutions services, programs and publications that can affect the direction the that assist librarians with profession takes on issues of social environmental issues in the justice and plans programs for ALA workplace and in local communities. conferences that can raise awareness, change minds, and Feminist: Brings active feminism to improve the quality of information on ALA. Focuses on women's issues social issues in libraries everywhere. and experiences and on the SRRT members are encouraged to exchange of information and run for Action Council positions. resources on women's issues. Serves as a vehicle for feminist SRRT Newsletters 136 (September activism within the profession 2001) and 137 (December 2001) through coalition building, programs are on the web. http://libr.org/SRRT/ and activities such as mentoring and Accessed: 28 February 2002. promotion of women's presses. Publishes quarterly newsletter, Women in Libraries.
Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty
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Part 3 Read, reflect and act experienced exclusion or worked with excluded people then the next best action is to read. Gives Diversity, wrath and QLP examples of relevant titles. Keywords: Equal Opportunities; Title: Why diversity in American Public Libraries; Social libraries Responsibility; Library Users Author(s): E.J. Josey; Ismail Abdullahi Title: Combating racial discrimination in British public Journal: Library Management libraries: the role of the Quality Year: 2002 Volume: 23 Number: 1,2 Leaders Project Page: 10 – 16 Author(s): Shiraz Durrani Abstract: Provides an historical Journal: Library Management perspective for the fight for diversity Year: 2002 Volume: 23 Number: 1,2 in US libraries, defining diversity, Page: 23 – 52 describing the changing Abstract: Addresses a number of demographics and discussing issues concerning racial problems of implementing diversity. discrimination in UK public libraries. The lack of diversity in middle It examines Black librarianship in the management posts in the US UK in 2001; records the Government is noted. Work within development of the Quality Leaders the American Library Association, Project which focuses on policy including recruiting initiatives and development, management and the Spectrum Initiative, a Diversity leadership issues in the context of Fair, the establishment of a Black workers and community Presidential Committee on Library needs; and discusses the potential Service to Minorities are described. contribution of this approach. Concludes with examples of Keywords: Racial Discrimination; services provided by public libraries Public Libraries; Leadership; Action and considers prospects for the Research future. Keywords: Equal Opportunities; Library Management, ISSN: 0143- Public Libraries; USA; Library Users; 5124. Editor: Patricia Layzell Ward. Employees; Minorities Vol. 23 Nos. 1&2 2002 with the above articles (and many other Title: Reasons to be wrathful interesting ones) available on free Author(s): John Pateman trial from www.emerald-insight.com Journal: Library Management Year: 2002 Volume: 23 Number: 1,2 Page: 17 -- 22 Africa’s 100 best books of Abstract: Sets down a powerful and the 20th century passionate argument about social exclusion and ways to combat class, race and discrimination in a paper Acknowledgement: ZIBF London prepared for a conference Office [email protected] presentation to the Library Zimbabwe International Book Fair Association Public Libraries Group. London Office, P O Box 21303 Suggests that if librarians have not London WC2E 8PH Telephone &
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Fax: +44 (0)20 7836 8501 short stories, novels, poetry and www.zibf.org drama. Books were considered in Afrikaans, Arabic, English, Announcement By The Chairman Of French, Gikuyu, Portuguese, The Jury Africa's 100 Best Books Of Sesotho, Shona, Swahili, IsiXhosa, The 20th Century Professor Njabulo Yoruba and IsiZulu. All the Ndebele. Tuesday 18 February nominated books were subjected to 2002, Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra rigorous criteria and had to meet some, if not all, of these. The Jury to select Africa’s 100 best Criteria included assessment of books of the twentieth century met quality, ability of a book to provide in Accra, Ghana and have new information or new insight, completed their task. They continuing contribution to debate, considered over five hundred extent to which a book breaks nominations from the original one boundaries, and impact through thousand five hundred and twenty such matters as popularity, sales one nominations proposed from and public influence. The Jury was many sources all round the world. particularly concerned to ensure in Prior to the meeting in Accra, the final list a balance of regional members of the Jury had already representation, gender, historical reduced this list, via electronic spread and genres of writing. For all discussion, to a more manageable the 15 members of the jury, their number. An initial meeting to set the arguments, their exchange of guidelines for the process of information and their final decisions selection was held in Harare have been exhilarating as well as a Zimbabwe in August 2001. learning process. Decisions of the jury were largely arrived at through The idea of a list of Africa’s 100 best unanimity after rigorous debate. books of the twentieth century came from the celebrated author Ali The process that produced this list Mazrui at the Zimbabwe has not been an easy one and International Book Fair in 1998. His the difficult options that the jury had vision was to find a way to direct the to face cannot be demonstrated in spotlight of the world on the a short press statement as this. It achievements of African writers was a slow considered and who have had their works published demanding process that finally led to in the twentieth century. The Jury the jury’s choice of the best 100 comes from thirteen countries titles of African writing in the representing all the regions of Africa twentieth century. From this list, the as well as other continents. Each jury also decided on the best twelve member has expertise in African African books of the twentieth writing and publishing generally and century. We believe it is time to specifically in the areas of the celebrate a century of superb different categories demanded of achievement in African creative this project. writing, scholarship and children’s literature. We believe that this list will The books considered were in three provoke debate and lead to categories: children’s writing, non- republication, translations fiction/scholarship and creative and curriculum inclusion. We can writing, which further divides into look forward to the next 100 years of
61 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 an Africa brimming with creative Injustice which exposes the fact energy across the entire that “since 1969 around 1000 continent. people have died in police custody. No police officer has ever been convicted of Voice of Eastern Action involvement in any of the Club for Africa deaths”. Write for copies to the Editors of Poda Poda at Voice of EAC is the Newsletter of [email protected] the Eastern Action Club for Africa. Issue no. 2 (2001) includes: Conference against racism (Durban, The three faces of British August 2001); Joseph Murumbi – the Asian African; Scenes from racism Palestine; Aids and Human Rights in Kenya. Details from EACA, P.O. The Institute of Race Relations has Box 63429, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: published a wide-ranging report [email protected] exposing racism in government policy, institutions and popular culture. The report, entitled 'The Poda Poda, the AFRAS three faces of British racism', shows Magazine how racism has worsened under a government which claims to be leading the fight against it. The This is the magazine of the report focuses on asylum policy and University of Sussex School of reform of the criminal justice system African and Asian Studies. “Poda as the main areas in which the Poda is the name of a traditional promise held out by the Macpherson form of transport in Sierra Leone”. Report has been squandered. Issue no. 15 (Spring 2002) includes: · Taimur Rahman: The great Rather than tackle institutional game for Central Asian Oil: the racism, government asylum policy imperialist ring from Yugoslavia has fuelled a new variant of racism to Afghanistan; directed at the world's displaced and · Phyllida Cox: A people under dispossessed, while siege; the oppression of Palestine Labour's new crime plan will tend to · Jo Newth: Burma’s Bloody reinforce existing patterns of racial history discrimination. The report also · Dan Glazebrook: Festival highlights the ways in which black against imperialism: Algeria over-representation in the criminal 2001Ellie Nichole: Residual justice system will be exacerbated horror: landmines in Afghanistan by current 'reforms' of the right to · Julian Saurin: Obitury: The trial by jury and stop and search School of African & Asian powers, and examines ongoing Studies, University of Susses, problems in the legal provisions to 1964-2003 tackle racial violence. · Marie Meslin: Injustice: A reaction [Review of the film,
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The report argues that the current Like the Yarl's Wood detention asylum legislation, which has centre, current race policy is a deterrence instead of human rights response to the most base and as its guiding principle, should be discriminatory instincts of populists scrapped, and that government rather than the potential for equality ministers should be required to of opportunity and humanism make 'racial impact statements' in enacted by progressives. And like which criminal justice reforms are Yarl's Wood it is destined to fall in a tested against their anticipated effect smouldering heap - a pyre created on black communities. by the desperate as an epitaph for those who have little or nothing to Report contributors: Professor Lee lose. Bridges (Director of the Legal Research Institute and Chair of the Three years ago Britain started to School of Law, University of engage in a national conversation Warwick), Gareth Peirce (leading about how it could tackle the racism civil rights lawyer), Frances Webber afflicting its institutions and infecting (leading immigration barrister and its private, public and popular writer on immigration law), Dr. A. culture. Today the pendulum of Sivanandan (Director, Institute of racial discourse is swinging back to Race Relations), Harmit Athwal, an altogether more complacent and Jenny Bourne, Liz Fekete, Arun less challenging era. Kundnani (researchers, Institute of Race Relations) We are returning to the crude and flawed mythology of a mono-racial, The three faces of British racism is culturally uniform British identity in available from the Institute of Race which non-white people's presence Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London is tolerated - and even then only WC1X 9HS, UK. Telephone: +44 conditionally. (0)20 7837 0041. Price 6 pounds. The journey has not been http://www.irr.org.uk straightforward and its destination is by no means inevitable. The past year in particular has seen changes, Gary Younge: Britain is both stark and subtle, of emphasis white again in the race debate. In tone, tenor and content, the focus has shifted from race to religion, colour to creed The Guardian Monday February 18, and ethnicity to economics. 2002 But for all the complications and On the third anniversary of the nuances a general trend is none the Macpherson's report into the death less clear. Three years ago racism of black teenager Stephen was regarded as the problem. Now, Lawrence, the government's once again, the very existence of understanding of race and racism is Britain's ethnic minorities is regressing towards the pitiful level it becoming the problem. The right of was before Stephen's birth in the Muslims to live in this country has 1970s. been openly questioned and is regularly qualified.
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We are going to make this law better by 2004. Towards Equality and Diversity We do not have a law to stop people being treated unfairly Department of Trade and Industry, because of their age by bosses or Diversity and Equality Branch by the people who train them. We are going to make a new law to There are laws to make sure people do this by 2006. are treated well at work and by people who give them training. It is We do not have a law to stop important that people are treated people being treated unfairly well by their boss and by the people because of their religion by bosses that train them. or by people who train them. We are going to make a new law to Some people are not always treated do this by 2003. well because: · of their race; We do not have a law stopping gay · they are disabled. and lesbian people from being · of how old they are; treated unfairly by bosses or by · of their religion; people who train them. · they are gay or lesbian. We are going to make a new law to do this by 2003. The government wants to make sure that all these people are treated We are going to make sure that well. The government wants to any of these people who think they make sure that everyone is treated have been treated unfairly can get fairly. We would like to know what advice and support. you think about these ideas. We are going to make sure that any of these people can go to court to The government wants to help complain if they think they have The government wants to make been treated unfairly at work. sure that no-one is treated unfairly at quality important? work or during training because of their race, or disability, or age, or Discrimination usually amounts to religion, or because they are gay or exclusion in some form. We lesbian. believe, quite simply, that it is wrong for people to be singled out There is already a law to stop for different treatment, merely people being treated unfairly because of personal because of their race. We are going characteristics. to make this law better by 2003.
There is already a law to make sure We want to ensure that everyone is disabled people are treated fairly by encouraged to realise their their bosses or by the people who potential. train them. Discrimination is bad for A short guide to the proposals individuals. But it has a negative impact on productivity and profits,
64 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 too. It denies employers access to Against the backdrop of anti- valuable knowledge, experience globalisation protests at the G8 and skills. It causes stress-related summit in Genoa, BBC News Online illnesses, poor quality work and examines the facts about the world long-term absences. And formal economy and the gap between rich complaints tie up the time of staff, and poor. their managers and trade union · Global poverty is concentrated in representatives. No-one benefits South Asia, where half of the from this cycle of events – world's poor live. Another quarter particularly if it ends in employees live in sub-Saharan Africa, while leaving to find a new job or career. one quarter live in East Asia, mainly China. Practical action on equality and · But as a proportion of the diversity can help to avoid these population, there are more costs. It also brings wider benefits people in poverty in Africa than for business. Good recruitment anywhere else. practices often lead to a more · Poverty has declined diverse workforce. Diversity, in dramatically in East Asia, turn, can help access new markets. particularly in China, where an It can also help improve a open economy has boosted company’s image as an employer. living standards. · But in the past decade poverty We believe that equality and has been rising in Africa, in diversity is good for individuals and South Asia, and most good for business alike. dramatically in Eastern Europe, where the transition from The Race & Employment Directives communism has caused poverty rates to sky-rocket. The Employment and Race · There is a huge gap between Directives were agreed at the end rich and poor countries across a of last year. We took an active part range of health measures. in their negotiation and welcome · Looking at infant mortality, the them. The Directives require EU number of children who die member states to introduce around the time of childbirth is legislation to outlaw unfair twenty times higher in sub- discrimination on the grounds of Saharan Africa and South Asia race, sexual orientation, religion or than in the rich industrial belief, disability and age in the countries. fields of employment and training. · Investment in education is seen The Race Directive also applies to as the key to improving human areas such as education and goods capital and building the capacity and services. for future economic development. World inequality · But in many poor countries, only half of the children of secondary BBC News Online school age are enrolled in Wednesday, 18 July, 2001, 13:57 education, and many have GMT 14:57 UK functional illiteracy rates of nearly one-third.
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· The internet has the power to non-resident Indian entrepreneurs, a spread information rapidly computer network billionaire from between continents and between the USA. rich and poor countries. · But so far, there is a wide digital The Institute is housed on an divide - with 163 internet host impressive campus in Ahmedabad, sites per 1000 people in the the capital of the state of Gujarat, United States, compared to only where thousands died in a 0.31 internet host sites in Africa. devastating earthquake in January; · Computer ownership and everywhere you can see cracks in internet use are also skewed the walls opened up by the quake, towards the rich industrial and dislodged brickwork. But the countries - although Latin Indian Institute of Management is America and East Asia are not merely for potential Internet catching up. billionaires, and the students in their new blue gowns are not the reason for my journey.
I go to Ahmedabad to have lunch with a tableful of some of the most ingenious people I have ever met - India's bank of ideas inventors and gadgeteers from the fields and villages of rural India where 700 million of its one billion BBC News Online. Sunday, 13 people still live. Over rice and dhal May, 2001, 13:09 GMT 14:09 UK and vegetables eaten with the hand, India is gaining a reputation for they talk excitedly about their computer expertise inventions and ideas. By Peter Day in Ahmedabad Innovations Graduation Days are the same all Thakershibhai is a farmer who had over the world: proud parents only a primary school education. A snapping away, students self- small man, his body tenses as he conscious in gowns and hoods as tells the story of how after one of the they examine their diplomas while region's frequent droughts, his son walking down from the platform - the spotted a rogue variety of groundnut first steps in the rest of their lives. flourishing while other breeds failed. Convocation - as they call it at the Thakershibhai nursed the seed - Indian Institute of Management - and bred a new variety of tastier, takes place out of doors in an hardier nut which he now sells to his evening scented by the fragrance of fellow farmers, who have honoured the Neem tree, the ubiquitous and him by naming it Thakershi. bountiful tree that lines the roads of so many Indian villages. From another village in Gujarat has Birds wheel overhead; as the light come Amrutbhai Agrewat, a stocky dies so does the full heat of the serial inventor who has taken the relentless sun, and faculty and traditional bullock cart and rebuilt it newly qualified students - the cream with a tilting device so that of Indian managers - listen to the composting need no longer be done address from one of the best known
66 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 by hand - arduous work traditionally papers could not read them because reserved for women. they were only in English.
Another boon for village women is To communicate the excellence of the simple device Mr Agrewat the ideas he was encountering in devised for the well. By adding a village India, he started something locking mechanism to the rope and called the Honey Bee Network, pulley mechanism used for based around a magazine centuries, women can rest their load describing these sort of innovations while hauling up the bucket, making in eight different languages. the job much less strenuous than it has ever been before. The organisation now has 10,000 ideas on a computer database - A bespectacled retired local lore and the inventions of schoolteacher Khimjibhai Kanadia dozens of village boffins available to has come up with a stream of inquirers, and to companies who inventions in recent years. Simplest want to licence the ideas and pay for of all is the device for filling plastic them. bags with soil in which to plant seedlings. Mr Kanadia took a "Why should intellectual property plastic drainpipe seven or eight merely benefit big corporations?" inches long, and cut it off at an angle asks Professor Gupta, as he at the bottom. Placed in the plastic encourages businesses to pay the bag, the women on piecework can equivalent of hundreds of pounds to fill one sack in one scoop, increasing make things such as the tilting their productivity - and their pay - bullock cart. There is a new venture fourfold. This is pure joy, a simple capital fund to back good ideas. The invention of genius. Sristi organisation also has a laboratory to test thousands of And there are hundreds, if not village remedies culled from plants thousands more of them, all such as the fragrant neam tree. gathered together under the Three phials hold herbal extracts auspices of an organisation called used by villagers to treat foot-and- the Society for Research and mouth disease. Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Innovation; "Sristi" "We don't slaughter our animals, we for short, the Sanskrit for "creation". treat them," observes the professor, referring to the mass culling of cattle in the UK. Unlike the rest of the Indian Institute of Management, the Ideas database Honey Bee Network will create few Sristi is the brainchild of the man billionaires. But its flood of ideas who brought together all these (and the money they generate) have village inventors to meet me. Anil the potential to help millions of Gupta is a professor from the people all over the globe who Institute of Management with an remain little touched by what we call engaging manner and a bushy the modern world. beard who 10 years ago was troubled by the fact that the people he wrote about in his published
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Trade Union Equality three interesting people - one Officers Newsletter British, one Japanese and one American.
Issue No. 5 includes information on Sir Martin Sorrell is chief executive disability access, migrant workers of the marketing giant WPP, have rights, disability in the Japanese economist, Noriko Hama - workplace, report of 2001 TUC research director of the centre for Disability Conference, equal pay policy and economy at the pilot project, London Pride and Mitsubishi Research Institute in Mardi Gras, lesbian/gay pride Tokyo and Thomas Stewart - author events, age discrimination of a recent book, The Wealth of consultation, ensuring equality: do Knowledge, which tells companies we need protocol 12, refugee safe how to nurture and manage their haven campaign intellectual capital. http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc -4500-f0.cfm TUC rights leaflets Visit the addresses above to view the documents in full, in print format A series of TUC rights leaflets are or in text-only format. available on TUC website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 “Agenda” explores equality 882. Lines are open every day from 8am-10pm. Calls are charged at the Saturday 23rd February national rate. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet AGENDA explores equality. What is meant by the ideal of equality in human society? Is it desirable, or Winning lesbian and gay equality attainable? And is equality hostile to freedom? http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/pr New laws on equality must not stop ogrammes/agenda.shtml at the workplace door says TUC
In a new report 'Winning lesbian and gay equality' published on 13 Globalisation & knowledge February 2001, the TUC calls on the economy Government to extend its plans for Global Business greater equality for lesbians and gay http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/b men to beyond the workplace door. usiness/review_globbus.shtml The Government has to incorporate Sunday 24th February the European Framework Directive This week's Global Business for equal treatment in employment presents some global thoughts from and occupation into UK law by 2003 three influential business people. and is currently consulting on the form that legislation will take. While Peter Day will be discussing some this will outlaw discrimination on the of the new issues of the working grounds of sexual orientation in world, in particular, globalisation and terms of employment, it won't cover the new knowledge economy, with other areas of discrimination
68 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 suffered by lesbians and gay men - that best practice becomes common such as in the laws covering practice and discrimination is pensions, inheritance and next of kin outlawed everywhere.' rights. Notes: The TUC's report shows that many By December 2003, the government employers are already challenging has to introduce into British law discrimination in their workplaces in sections of the European advance of new legislation, but Framework Directive for equal highlights the areas where new treatment in employment and legislation is still essential to achieve occupation. The Directive covers full equality. discrimination on grounds including sexual orientation, religion and belief TUC General Secretary John Monks and age. The TUC, along with a said: coalition of lesbian and gay 'Many lesbians, gay men and community organisations, believes bisexuals continue to face daily that this is the appropriate prejudice and discrimination, both at opportunity to provide work and in society more broadly. comprehensive legal protection This new law gives the government against discrimination on grounds of the opportunity to provide the sexual orientation for the first time, lesbian and gay community with and to provide the same range of comprehensive legal protection protection as is already offered to against discrimination on grounds of people under the Sex Discrimination their sexuality. To limit the protection Act and the Race Relations Act. to employment, while allowing The full TUC report 'Winning lesbian discrimination to continue to be legal and gay equality' is available at: in the provision of goods and http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality services, would only send a confused signal. HAIRNET- where age is a 'As our report shows, unions and positive advantage good employers have already begun to challenge the worst forms of discrimination at work. Good Here is one of our occasional employers now understand that regular communications, to update equal treatment and the recognition you on things to do with computer of the diversity of our community are training and older people. not threats to business. In fact organisations that fail to recruit, Silver Surfers Day, May 17, 2002 retain and promote the most Our latest grandbaby-conceived with talented people, regardless of the Age Concern and NIACE (National communities from which they come, Organisation for Adult Learning)-is a are increasingly putting themselves 'day' for UK over-50s who've donned at a serious disadvantage. But the wetsuits and taken to the surf. It's policies pursued by the companies part of NIACE's Adult Learners' highlighted in this report are still the Week-a now famous week in which minority, and can only deal with to celebrate all that learning brings. some of the discrimination suffered. We want the government to act so Silver Surfer of the Year Award,
69 Diversity No. 3 March 2002 closing date March 22 Sunday 17, Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 March 2002. As part of Silver Surfers Day, we're going to give awards for those with The ZIBF is delighted to announce a the fanciest bodyboards, most extraordinary second event in Cape sequinned wetsuits-well, actually, Town for July 2002 to we mean over-50s who've really commemorate Africa's 100 Best taken to the Internet and email and Books of the Twentieth Century. use them to enhance their own, their Among the reasons for choosing this family, their community or their venue, is the expected attendance business life. of the patron of the Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century project, All is revealed on: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and of www.silversurfersday.org where the project's jury led by Professor you'll find downloadable application Njabulo Ndebele, Vice-Chancellor at forms and flyers. Get your the University of Cape Town. European Computer Driving Licence-at home! Contacts: ZIBF: [email protected]; David at In addition to new trainers, we've [email protected] now trained 34 existing trainers to teach ECDL. Trainers from Brixham to Aberdeen are now empowered to bring this highly useful, international Write for Information for qualification to your home or your Social Change (ISC) work desk. You can choose to study as much as you like alone using our 'ECDL in a Box,' or have as much ISC is bringing out a special issue in tutor help as you like, when you August to coincide with the 68th decide you need it. Very handy. Find IFLA General Conference and out more via Emma or Caroline on: Council which takes place in 0870 241 5091 or email Glasgow in August, 2002. The ISC [email protected]. issue will focus on the theme of the From: Caroline, Emma, Gill, Peter, IFLA Conference: Libraries for Shirley HairnetUK, 3 Dean Trench Life: Democracy, Diversity, St, London SW1P 3HB T: 0870 241 Delivery. If you would like to write 5091. e-mail: [email protected] . on the theme of “Diversity” please send your articles for consideration to me by June 1, 2002. Three of the best articles will be published in ISC Zimbabwe International which has world-wide readership. So get writing. ISC is now on the Book Fair 2002 web at http://libr.org/ISC/TOC.html. Check it out for details about what The Zimbabwe International Book Information for Social Change is all Fair, represented by its executive about and for instructions for director Moses Samkange and contributions and to read past London agent David Brine, will be at issues. the London Book Fair throughout Shiraz Durrani
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4 John Vincent The Network CSG Website , creating access to information about a wide range of “The Network – tackling social Government and national exclusion in libraries, museums, developments in tackling social archives and galleries” exclusion. This work (as well as strengthening our cross-domain “The Network – tackling social links) is going to be funded by a exclusion in libraries, museums, grant from Resource. archives and galleries” is the new name for what was the Social For further information about the Exclusion Action Planning Network. Network – or to find out about joining This reflects its growing relationship – please contact John Vincent, with archives and museums. We [email protected]. currently have 81 organisational members, including public libraries, the Health Development Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Diversity Council elections House of Lords Record Office, the Nominations for the elections to be British Museum, the Petrie Museum, th Library Association, the National held on March 14 , 2002 have been Council on Archives, and the received from the following: London Library Development Agency, as well as individuals Chair: Philip Pothen committed to tackling social Vice Chair: Gulshan Iqbal exclusion. Doreen Dankyi Secretary: Kalvinder Dale At the moment, our key areas of Treasurer: Shashi Doray work are as follows: Haiyan Kang
· Producing the monthly Other posts to be filled are: Newsletter with updates on · Editor social inclusion initiatives, both at · Events Coordinator local and national level · International Relations Officer · Responding to major initiatives · Membership and Marketing (such as Towards equality and Officer diversity) · Learning Coordinator · Running open training courses, · Equal Opportunities Officer either as ours or in conjunction with other organisations · Running in-house training courses · Speaking at conferences and other events.
An exciting new development – which has only just been agreed – is that the Network is to take over the updating and maintenance of the
4 www.inclusionandlibraries.org.uk
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Birthday DC", he said, and went on STOP PRESS (19-03-02) – to say that visioning is a journey ELECTION RESULTS: Philip from the known to the unknown. He Pothen emphasised the importance of teaching and persuasion as a The following is a report on the means of overcoming oppression meetings held on the 14th and discrimination and for creating and 15th March to mark the first agents of change. Don't ask easy anniversary of the Diversity Council. questions, ask tough questions, he said, before saying that there had March 14th was an internal meeting been 3 black presidents of the ALA. to elect officers of the Council and to Only when the UK had similar role agree a constitution and way models would real change come forward. about. We had, therefore, as an organisation, to confer status on The elected officers of the DC are: those who were bringing about progress in this area. Chair - Philip Pothen Vice-Chair - Gulshan Iqbal Bob McKee (Chief Exec - LA) re- Treasurer - Haiyan Kang emphasised his personal Secretary - Kalvinder Dale commitment to diversity and promised that the new CILIP The DC agreed to proceed with would carry on the work of the LA in setting up a Diversity Group of the this area. He stressed, though, that LA/CILIP which will be open to all diversity was one priority among members of the LA to join. Rules many others facing the new were agreed and an application to professional organisation. the LA will proceed in the next week or so. The DC also agreed to Mark Mason (DCMS) talked about maintain the DC as a federation of the commitment of the DCMS organisations with its current focus, to diversity both within its domains and independent of the LA/CILIP, but also within the Department and but possibly as an Organisation-in- in terms of its practices, Liaison (OiL) with the LA. This will appointments, interview panels, etc. give us a level of independence to He gave a ringing endorsement to carry forward important aspects of the formation of the DC and said he the agenda which an LA Group hoped to work closely with the DC in would not be able to do. the near future.
The March 15th event was a A statement from Resource read by "Change the World" seminar with Rebecca Linley stressed the invited speakers, again held at importance of the DC to Hounslow Library. encouraging diversity within the library profession, while Hendie The seminar began with a keynote McNellie (Commission for speech on "The Vision of Diversity" Racial Equality) also congratulated from Professor Ismail Abdullahi the DC on its formation. (Clark Atlanta University) who The cause of diversity was justified, congratulated the Diversity Council he said, by three factors: law, ethics on its first anniversary. "Happy and business practice.
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importance of alliances and Two presentations were dedicated collaborations across key to initiatives designed to promote organizations, and the importance of diversity. The first was given by building on the optimism and Shiraz Durrani (Merton Libraries) on cohesion gained by the formation of the Quality Leaders Project, a the Diversity Council. project which aims to develop black library professionals into leaders of A number of suggestions were the future through mentoring and made for action by the DC. management training, and to These included the DC being enhance public library services involved in the Annual Library through outreach and consultation Plan steering group, on the editorial activities conducted by the board of the LA Record, using the quality leaders. Resource has given newsletter as a voice for the many money to proceed to the next stage initiatives that are taking place, but of the project. Other bodies have often in isolation, and to lobby the indicated that more money might be Society of Chief Librarians. available to extend the project. These and all other suggestions will Mary Heaney (University of be taken on board in the coming Wolverhampton) spoke of a number weeks, and an action plan will be of initiatives that had been put forward as a means to apply for undertaken at the University funding from relevant bodies. of Wolverhampton, where 27% of the students are from ethnic Evaluation and informal discussion minorities. These initiatives include indicated that this first anniversary the Black and Ethnic Minority event was not only an important Experience Project (BEME), the milestone but also an enjoyable and Ethnic Minority Staff Forum and the thought-provoking day. Desired Staffing Profile. This last initiative seeks to improve the Philip Pothen proportion of ethnic minority and Chair - Diversity Council female staff and to have a staff March 19, 2002. profile which more accurately reflects the student communities being served.
Geoff Mills (Birmingham), John Pateman (Merton) and Simon Black (Thurrock) all spoke about the benefits of embracing diversity within library services, the importance of mainstreaming diversity, and each gave good examples of good practice within their services.
Discussion during the day covered a number of themes: the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, the
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Liz Smallwood: Communities developing communities. DiversityPollards. Hill Donald Hope No. 3 (2002) pp. 20-29.
` Mitcham Morden
West Barnes Raynes Park
Wimbledon Equal Access
Heritage
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