Open to all? The public library and social exclusion. Vol 1: overview and conclusions

This volume “[…] reviews the context of social exclusion and the nature of the
problems facing public libraries and other public institutions. The record of the public
library in tackling disadvantage is critically assessed and the weaknesses of a
predominantly “voluntary” approach to exclusion based on access are highlighted. The
findings of a survey of contemporary public library services and of eight case studies of
public library authorities are then reported. These suggest that although public libraries
are currently modernising their services, this modernisation is unlikely to refocus the
public library on excluded communities and social groups. The project concludes that to
do this, and to become more than superficially “open to all”, the public library will need
to transform itself into a far more proactive, educative and interventionist public
institution, with a concern for social justice at its core. The suggested elements of this
transformation are detailed in a penultimate chapter, which highlights good practice, and
in specific project recommendations which conclude the study.” [p iii]

Dave Muddiman, Shiraz Durrani, Martin Dutch, Rebecca Linley, John Pateman and John Vincent. Open to all? The public library and social exclusion. Vol 1: overview and conclusions. Resource (Library and Information Commission Research Report 84), 2000.