Social Exclusion of Ethnic Minorities in Public Libraries — What makes the difference?

The UK is diverse. In the last Census 2011 the majority with 86% of the population was White, but looking at areas like London, the percantage of BAME minorities (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) is different. According to the Regional ethnic diversity they make up the majority in the London area (Regional ethnic diversity, GOV.UK). Against this background, one might think that public libraries reflect this diversity. But the truth is public libraries struggle to meet the needs of their community and especially those, who are outnumbered. So besides other problems, public libraries need to focus on social exclusion. Some studies and projects have been launched to close this gap — but what really makes a difference?

What has been done so far

Some projects and studies revealed the social exclusion in public libraries in the UK and focused on solutions. In 1969 a study examines the provision of Indian and Pakistani communities in public libraries in Britain (Lambert, 1969), saying what might have been the biggest problem:

The UK did not see itself as a multicultural society (Vincent 2009, p. 138).

The study “Open To All?” from 2000 ties in with the 1969 study. The authors state that in the past decades the public library services for ethnic minorities has improved. But yet there are still things to do.

Creating a difference is more than project after project

These open issues were addressed by many other projects and programs, that were launched to make an impact on this topic. But they all might have a structural problem in common, which lies within the definition of what is a project: They are all time and resources limited. They operate and improve during the time they are planned, but eventually they all end.

What it needs is sustainability, requiring structural changes and rethinking in politics and management levels. For a start also an end to financial cuts. A constant improvement is needed, as the country and the community is constantly changing as well.

That is why Libraries Connected started the “Transforming Leadership” initiative. Libraries Connected is a charity organization which has made it its mission to improve the service of the public libraries and to provide “an inclusive, modern, sustainable and high quality public library service” (Libraries Connected a) started the “Transforming Leadership” project. Partly financed by the Arts Council this innitiative is “to tackle the lack of diversity in library leadership” (Libraries Connected b). Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said (Libraries Connected c):

Diversity in leadership is key to helping libraries to overcome the challenges they face and to meet the needs of their increasingly diverse communities.

Room for Communication

For what those changes might look like in detail it is important to to include the communities. Creating a space for open communication is critical. Speaking about wishes, needs and how to minimize barriers for BAME groups to come to the libraries is essential. For this communication it might be a good start to bring BAME members in leadership positions, just as Libraries Connected does, but it takes all libraries to take part, not just fifteen.

Social Inclusion

In sum, projects can also make a lot of difference, but in the long run this is far too costly, time-consuming and not goal-oriented enough. Furthermore, this issue needs to be seen as something for change management, and not projects. The difference also begins outside the doors of libraries, in politics, structure, financing and in peoples’ minds.
It even takes

a recasting of the image and identity of the public library to link it more closely with the cultures of excluded communities and social groups (Muddiman 2000, p. 58).

Note from the author: I am aware that I am a white person writing this. Therefore, I am happy to learn if there is more you would add to my approaches!

References:
Black and Muddiman: Understanding Community Librarianship. The Public Library in Postmodern Britain, 1997.

GOV.UK: Regional ethnic diversity, URL: https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/national-and-regional-populations/regional-ethnic-diversity/latest.

Lambert, C.M.: Library Provision for the Indian and Pakistani Communities in Britain, in: Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 1, 1969, p. 41–61.

Libraries Connected a: About Us, URL: https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk/page/about-us.

Libraries Connected b: New Project to tackle lack of diversity in library leadership announced, URL: https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/new-project-tackle-lack-diversity-library-leadership.

Libraries Connected c: Birmingham Leadership Institute to deliver library leadership diversity programme, URL: https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/birmingham-leadership-institute.

Muddiman et Al.: Open to All? The Public Library and Social Exclusion, Volume One: Overview and Conclusions, Library and Information Commission Research Report 84, The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, 2000.

Vincent, John: Public library provision for Black and minority ethnic communities — where are we in 2009?, in: Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 41 (3), 2009, p. 137–147.