Information for Social Change

ISC 12. Social Exclusion Action Planning Network

Introduction

The Social Exclusion Action Planning Network is a network of public libraries, other organisations and individuals committed to tackling social exclusion.

Formed following a seminar in February 1999 (as part of the dissemination and publicity for the then Library and Information Commission-funded research project, Public Library Policy and Social Exclusion, the report of which is published under the title, Open to All?) the Network runs courses, seminars and conferences, and publishes a monthly Newsletter.

Launched nationally at the Public Library Authorities Conference in Torquay in October 1999, the Social Exclusion Action Planning Network now has 46 organisational and 11 individual members.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Social Exclusion Action Planning Network is to assist public libraries to tackle social exclusion through interaction with their local communities. This will be achieved by:

putting the research findings of the Library and Information Commission-funded project, Public Library Policy and Social Exclusion, and other policy initiatives into practice; providing information on current initiatives to tackle social exclusion and to explore how these may be applied to public libraries and related local services; drawing on current practice and explore developments in the contribution that public libraries make in tackling social exclusion, and to record and share these within the Network and more widely; assisting in creating opportunities for developing joint approaches to tackling social exclusion.

(Agreed 2 December 1999)

Benefits of joining the Social Exclusion Action Planning Network

Library authorities that join the Social Exclusion Action Planning Network will:

• have an opportunity to share expertise in tackling social exclusion and to discuss this with colleagues from other authorities;
• receive information to help keep abreast of developments in work on combatting social exclusion generally;
• receive copies of the monthly Newsletter;
• have an opportunity to learn from the Research Project and to implement its findings;
• be able to book places on Network courses and seminars at reduced cost;
• have an opportunity to draw on the consultancy skills of the Research Project team.

Membership

Public libraries, other organisations and individuals are welcome to join the Network.

For further details, please contact John Vincent, Wisteria Cottage, Nadderwater, Exeter EX4 2JQ E-mail: johnnadder.freeserve.co.uk