Community Engagement

'Community engagement' covers a variety of things, including working with volunteers, working in partnership with the community and voluntary sector, and involving people in decision-making processes.

Libraries looking to increase their community engagement can contact CSV to discuss what support and guidance might be needed to help them achieve this.

CSV has case studies showing how some of this work is being approached by libraries. A toolkit and report have been produced by CSV Consulting and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) (see below) as a result of working with libraries to pilot different ways of approaching community engagement.

Community Engagement in Public Libraries: A Report on Current Practices and Future Developments

CSV has been working with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) to research current practice in Community Engagement in public libraries. 

The report, entitled 'Community Engagement in Public Libraries: a report on current practice and future developments' found that whilst some library services are working closely with their communities, involving them in shaping and delivering services, many staff within the library sector have fears about working in this way.  Further training and support is needed for the library sector to better understand and implement community engagement.

The report provides a definition of community engagement for public libraries, argues for the benefits to both the service and to communities, and makes recommendations to build the capacity of library services to work in this way.

Visit the MLA website to download a copy of the full report and appendices.

Community Engagement in Public Libraries: A Toolkit for Public Library Staff

The toolkit, entitled 'Community Engagement in Public Libraries: A toolkit for public library staff', is intended to provide an introduction to Community Engagement for library staff and managers.  Drafted by CSV and the MLA, it offers some suggestions on how to identify what your library is already doing in this area and to help build on it for the future. 

There are case studies from a number of library services and top tips from staff already working in this field. There is help in planning community engagement work, developing new partnerships and building staff support.

Visit the MLA website to download a copy of the full toolkit and appendices.

This project is part of the Framework for the Future, the government's 10-year strategy for public libraries and will contribute to the cohesive communities strand of the Framework for the Future.