The Vital Link programme sent out a survey to all heads of service in
library authorities in February 2004 to establish a baseline for library
activity in support of adult basic skills learners. Around two-thirds
of library authorities replied by the deadline and, of those who did not,
we know that several are undertaking basic skills work. The results were
very encouraging but it should be remembered that this level of provision
and planning for adult basic skills tends to be concentrated on a few
libraries in each authority.
| Question |
% Yes |
% No |
Comments |
| 1. Is work to support adults
with low literacy levels part of your current reader development planning? |
88 |
12 |
|
| 2. Do you have a staff member with a
particular responsibility for this area of work? |
64 |
34 |
Titles range from reader development
posts to literacy development manager, lifelong learning officer or
social inclusion librarian |
| 3 Do you have any active partnerships
in place in order to support people with low literacy levels? |
87 |
13 |
of these
82% with adult & community education
49% with local college
17% with vol sector
32% with other agencies, eg learndirect, Link Up, dyslexia groups,
local learning partnerships
|
| 4. Have your staff received any kind
of related training? |
71 |
29 |
of these
78% BS awareness
17% Level 2 (eg City & Guilds course)
35% Vital Link training
20% other
total number who have had some kind of training: 2,326 |
| 5. Have you reviewed the
accessibility of your libraries for adults with basic skills needs?
|
43 |
57 |
Eg simplified joining procedures, concessions
for learners, signage, face-on display, refurbishment |
| 6. Have you reviewed your
stock for adult basic skills learners and how it is displayed? |
85 |
15 |
Eg consultation with tutors and learners,
rebranding of stock under range of titles, visits to classes, stock
selection |
| 7. Are you promoting any mainstream
fiction and non-fiction to emergent readers? |
84 |
16 |
of these
88% bought First Choice collections
53% sourcing own
15% other, including
regional promotions, selective buying, consultation with tutors, working
with writers |
| 8. Are you using IT to
attract and support adults with basic skills needs? |
68 |
33 |
Eg taster sessions run by local colleges,
links with learndirect and UK Online, learner reviews on websites,
|
| 9. Are you targeting particular audiences
with basic skills needs? |
78 |
22 |
of these
72% adults
63% families
29% young people
63% ESOL
18% other, including adults with learning difficulties, over 50s,
unemployed |
| 10. Do you use reader development activities
with these audiences? |
68 |
32 |
of these
70% book promotions/displays
53% events
44% reading groups
35% support for reading for pleasure in class
14% reader reviews
17% other, including family reading events, writers in residence,
writers group, library tours |
| 11. Are you using outside funding sources
to develop this work? |
43 |
56 |
of these
17% regional agency for museums, libs & archives
57% LSC
52% other, including European Social Fund, Family Learning, local
Public Service Agreement, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, local Learning
Partnership, Adult Education |
12. How important is the development
of this area of provision for your library service?
|
|
|
68% very
31% fairly
1% not a priority |
| 13. What are your main requirements
for developing this work to maximum effect? |
|
|
Very important
80% local partnership development
76% training
26% national reader development promotions
22% support for advocacy work
14% other - including funding and more staff capacity |
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