Lifelong Learning in Hertfordshire Libraries

Hertfordshire

Population of 1 million– 4% minority ethnic groups– 1% unemployment– 25% of workforce commute out of county

Relatively affluent County but with pockets of deprivation– 5 Hertfordshire wards in the top quartile of

deprivation

Geography

No natural centre or industrial conurbation

Contrasts between– urban v rural– villages v new towns– London facing v Eastern Region

10 District Councils within the County University of Herts and 4 FE Colleges

Hertfordshire Libraries

52 Libraries plus 10 mobile libraries Newer or refurbished libraries have

purpose built IT suites (St. Albans, Hitchin)

Many libraries in old buildings - difficult to convert for IT and lifelong learning.

Need for a flexible approach

Strategic Learning Partnerships

Hertfordshire Learning Partnership Local Learning Partnerships/Forums Hertfordshire Libraries Agreement Information Advice and Guidance

Partnership (PLUM) Hertfordshire e-Learning Partnership -

LearnDirect

Libraries Support for Lifelong Learning Information on ‘work and learning’ in all

libraries - printed and electronic. Free access to ICT and study facilities Trained staff - ECDL, Equalities training Promotion of learning initiatives

– Adult Learner’s Week– Family Learning Weekend

Courses delivered by library staff

IT and Internet Taster Sessions Courses for Jobseekers Courses for tutors Guided self-help sessions On-line Learning - BBC Webwise

Additional Learning in Libraries

Locally funded initiatives– Single Regeneration Budget projects in

Stevenage and Oxhey Homework Clubs

– Borehamwood, Oxhey, Stevenage Partnerships with FE Colleges

– Hitchin, and Oxhey

Additional Learning in Libraries

Partnerships with District councils– Dacorum Rural Learning Project– Welwyn Hatfield Over 70s project

LearnDirect

Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) HertsDirect Website Plumworks Website Guidance Council Accreditation Pilot at

Stevenage Referral to IAG partners Referral procedures for Basic Skills

training, ESOL etc.

Advantages

Allows for local flexibility Libraries are identified as popular

learning venues - informal, neutral, local, helpful.

Builds on traditional library services Builds on community contacts Partners keen to work with libraries - not

seen as competition

Challenges

Uneven provision across the County Complexity of different partnership

arrangements and procedures Staffing

– Parameters of library staff responsibility– Training– Commitment of staff time difficult to

measure

Based on four local projects Bangladeshi community in St Albans Pakistani community in Watford Indian community in Hitchin Lone parents and unemployed people in

Welwyn Hatfield

LearnEast in Hertfordshire

Local objectives for LearnEast

Build stronger local partnerships Proactive approaches to disadvantaged

communities Monitor progress of learners Portfolio of learning opportunities Raise profile of libraries with

disadvantaged groups Evaluation of impact