Aims
The aims of the Community Services Group can be summed up as: Information, Equality, Opportunity
CSG is all about creating community cohesion. We intend to work towards this by promoting the use of library and information services to empower people and improve their quality of life.
What kind of things have we done to work towards our aims?
Advocacy
CSG runs the successful Libraries Change Lives Award with CILIP. In 2011 the winner was Making the Difference: Opportunities for Adults With Learning Disabilities (Kent Libraries and Archives). The two finalist projects were: The NEALIS project (North East Accessible Library and Information Services) and Our Tyneside & The History Club (Newcastle City Libraries).
Communication, networking and professional development
We are continuing our development of the website and send Quarterly Newsletters and Monthly emails to CSG members.
CSG worked with CILIP to deliver the 2010 Libraries Change Lives Conference which highlighted the value of library and information staff and services. CSG sponsors LIS professionals to attend conferences such as CILIP/CSG Libraries Change Lives Conference and Umbrella and published their reports in the CSG newsletter.
CSG’s Regional Groups and the two sub-groups, The London Housebound Group and the Information Literacy Group, provide additional professional and networking opportunities.
Policies and Commentaries
CSG’s policy work on social justice and community development was completed in 2010 and was well received by the CILIP Policy Forum. It is now awaiting endorsement and advocacy work will follow.
Members of the Committee have been involved in the CILIP Communities Panel which reviewed library and information service proposals within their remit. The panel has also contributed to the updated policy statement on the use of volunteers in libraries.