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Invitation to front-line staff

 
 
The Centre for the Public Library and Information in Society, part of the Libraries and Information Society research group based at the Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, is currently undertaking a research project investigating the role of public libraries in meeting the social inclusion agenda. We are currently planning the qualitative stages of this two-year project (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council), which will involve interviews and focus groups with a representative sample of public library employees within and across the nine English regions forming the MLA partnership.

We would like to invite front-line staff to participate in a focus group discussion concerning the issues facing public libraries in meeting the social inclusion agenda. Your opinion and input as those responsible for the day-to-day delivery of public library services is integral to the research, and we would greatly appreciate your contribution. The focus group(s) will last approximately one hour, and will cover the following general themes:
* The extent and nature of staff participation in social inclusion policy
implementation
* The relationship between inclusive organisations and the delivery of an
inclusive service
* Excluded groups staff feel that the library service particularly targets and
how
* Groups staff feel that the service particularly 'lets down' and how
* Future plans for social inclusion at a local level

We will be holding one or two focus group sessions in each of the nine English regions at the following times and locations:
* EAST MIDLANDS: Monday 19th February, 1.15pm, MLA East Midlands, Leicester
* EAST OF ENGLAND: Wednesday 28th February, 1.15pm, MLA East of England, Bury St
Edmunds
* LONDON: Tuesday 20th February, 1.15pm, Canal Museum, Kings Cross
* NORTH EAST: Thursday 15th February, 1.15pm, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle
* NORTH WEST: Wednesday 21st February, 1.15pm, Silk Heritage Centre,
Macclesfield
* SOUTH EAST: Tuesday 13th February, 1.15pm, Guildford Institute
* SOUTH WEST: Friday 23rd February, 1.15pm, MLA South West, Taunton
* WEST MIDLANDS: Monday 26th February, MLA West Midlands, Birmingham
* YORKSHIRE: Friday 16th February, 1.15pm, Department of Information Studies,
University of Sheffield

If a lot of interest is expressed in any particular region, then another focus group will be run at 3.00pm. All participants are assured complete anonymity and will not be identified personally or by library authority in the research report and dissemination. Refreshments will be provided, and travel expenses will be reimbursed by the research group. All participants will be entered in to a prize draw for a £50 Amazon voucher.

If you would like to participate in the research project by attending one of the above focus groups, please reply by email to: k.m.wilson@sheffield.ac.uk

Updated: 19 April 2007