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'Real' Lifelong Learning Centres in Glasgow's Libraries and Archives |
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Glasgow's new 'Real' lifelong learning centres build on the traditional
role of public libraries and provide exciting opportunities for
new and continuing learners. The centres are targeted to meet individuals'
needs and address social inclusion issues in the city. The Real centres:
Local groups are already using these well-equipped facilities to develop basic ICT skills and a number of library-led workshops and programmes have been developed in partnership with the Literature Development Officer. These include creative groups such as community-based writers' groups. Developments in ICT will enable the Real centres access to printed,
visual and aural cultural resources held by public libraries, including
The Virtual Mitchell - an online collection of images of Glasgow,
created For those wishing to develop skills informally or formally, Real Learning Centres can provide access to online learning leading directly to the award of formal qualifications. The Real centres, developed in partnership by Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow have been well received in their communities. They contribute to the realisation of Glasgow the Learning City. |
Facilitating
lifelong learning is a key government objective which involves encouraging
participation and promoting supported and independent learning. A significant
number of adults have literacy problems which limit their opportunities
for independent learning. Participation in the arts and other cultural
activity can help to address these problems both through providing a stimulating
context for developing literacy skills and by raising self-confidence.
The Scottish Executive recently established a Task Force to tackle problems
of adult literacy and numeracy which will consider, amongst other issues,
the role that arts and cultural activity should play in promoting adult
literacy.
>>Actions to promote education in and through arts, culture and heritage
We shall:
- Recognise and celebrate schools as centres of creativity
- Commission Learning and Teaching Scotland to work with SAC to prepare practical advice for education authorities and schools on the particular contribution that cultural activity can make to forging links with communities, and to promoting pupils' achievement, knowledge, and skills, self-esteem, creativity and inclusion
- Identify the contribution that cultural activities can make to promoting literacy, in the context of the work of the Adult Literacy Task Force
- Reinforce support for the National Grid for Learning, Learndirect Scotland and other lifelong learning initiatives through the Public Library IT initiative and SCRAN
- Work with education authorities to maximise opportunities for instrumental tuition in schools, free to those unable to pay
- Pilot posts as school co-ordinators for heritage, arts and culture, and fulfil the commitment to have sports co-ordinators in every secondary school in 2003
- Ensure that the value of culture in the school experience is promoted in future reviews of teachers' initial training and continuing professional development.
- Ensure that the potential contribution of culture is recognised in community learning.
Developing wider opportunities for cultural access
The keys to access
Our strategy aims to improve access for all, including those who might
otherwise be excluded, for example because of economic factors, geographical
remoteness, illness or disability. Real and perceived barriers to access
and participation must be overcome. In particular, we plan to take account
of the needs of different age groups. Cultural activity is enriched by
contributions from every generation. Young people need to have opportunities
to participate in a wide range of cultural activity, including involvement
in decision-making (see example of National Museums of Scotland Junior
Board). Young parents often find that demands on their time can exclude
them from participation. We also need to find ways of maximising the benefits
of the considerable contribution and experience of older people and of
ensuring that they continue to have opportunities for a wide range of
cultural participation throughout their lives.
The keys to access are:
- Appropriate resources, available locally or within reasonable travelling distance
- Having the knowledge, confidence and motivation to become involved and to participate
- Sufficient opportunities to ensure that particular interests and tastes can be pursued.
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The National Museums of Scotland Junior Board |
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The NMS Junior Board had its inaugural meeting in March 1996 and was set up in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise. Consisting of 12 young people aged 10-14 from across Scotland it aimed to gather the views and opinions of young people to ensure that the new Museum of Scotland would be an exciting and interesting place which young people would want to visit. The contributions of the Junior Board were so valuable that the Board continues to play a leading role in advising on developments in all of the National Museums of Scotland. The Board meets five times a year in the Royal Museum in Edinburgh for a formal business meeting. Meetings have a set agenda, are chaired by a member of the board and are fully minuted. The Heads of Public Affairs and Education attend the Junior Board meetings to ensure that the views of the Board reach the highest levels. The Trustees have found their meetings with the Junior Board particularly enlightening. All candidates apply formally and schools interview them before sending NMS a shortlist for final selection. Members are required to retire at 14. The Board therefore benefits from fresh voices annually, whilst maintaining a more experienced majority. Current Board members come from: Ardallie, Eyemouth, South Queensferry, Port Glasgow, Dumfries, Coatbridge, Uddingston, Sandwick, Dundee, Tomatin, Edinburgh and Falkirk. Since its first meeting, the Board has been involved in a range of activities, for example:
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>>Actions to develop wider opportunities for cultural access
We shall:
- Progressively improve access to museum, gallery and library collections for all groups.
- Establish a national 'portal' website with information, links and discussion forums on Scotland's culture
- Measure and report progress in reducing cultural exclusion because
of disability, location, age, ethnicity, economic or educational factors,
and report on progress
in meeting new standards - Encourage all national cultural bodies to establish junior boards of young people
- Encourage the development of the Public Library Network
- Promote activity throughout the country by companies with national roles.
- Recognise the power of popular music making to engage young people in cultural activities.
