The Fife Library/Literacy Book and Film events are designed to encourage local adults who do not currently engage with adult learning or library services to explore the benefits of reading and learning. Local adults who lack confidence in their reading skills, either because they have literacy learning needs, have suffered from mental health difficulties leading to concentration issues, or people who have just lost the reading habit have reported increased confidence in their reading skills as a result of this project. Other measurable outcomes include more people accessing library services and taking up other community based adult learning opportunities. The project is delivering excellence as the simple, non threatening format of the events is producing real results, working with the “hard to reach” in Fife in an informal setting and no other service is delivering in this format nationally.
PLANNING / · a clear rationale, defined processes and focus on stakeholder needs· contributes to organisation’s goals and addresses current or emerging challenges
Outcomes of the project:
- Increased confidence in participants' reading skills by starting with the film to introduce the story and then following this up with an accessible novel.
- Learners will be more comfortable accessing library services.
- Increased awareness of local adult learning opportunities amongst adults who do not currently engage in community based learning.
Extent to which project is based upon identified needs:
The Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies 2009 provides a baseline picture of adult literacy and numeracy capabilities in Scotland. It reveals that 26.7% of the Scottish population would benefit from improving their literacies skills and, within this group, 3.6% have very limited capabilities. The Scottish Government’s vision, specifically for adults, is that ‘…by 2020 Scotland’s society and economy will be stronger because more of its adults are able to read, write and use numbers effectively in order to handle information, communicate with others, express ideas and opinions, make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners.
The book and film events create an environment where adult literacies learners and adults whose first language is not English can alsoshare their opinions and express their ideas. Similarly, adults who have concentration issues due to mental health difficulties or people who have lost, or never had, the reading habit, can begin to build their confidence in talking about the film they have been watching. At one of the regular meetings of the Library/Literacies group, reading groups were discussed and a plan formulated to incorporate films into the plan. By offering film events and introducing the books, whether conventional or graphic novels, the group agreed that it was a way of approaching vulnerable adults, reluctant to take up conventional education as a first step. Course proposals were then discussed and planning got underway to secure financing via the Local Planning Groups. One session was to be held as a pilot and dependent upon its success others could be organised.
The Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020report (ALiS 2020), published by the Scottish Government in December 2010, provides strategic guidance, identifyingkey themes and specific outcomes. Three of the four outcomes to be achieved over the ten year period are (1)improved access to literacies learning opportunities (2)high quality teaching and learning and (3) evidence of impact. Three of the six overarching themes are (1) Literacies and family (2) Literacies and health and wellbeing and (3) Adults whose first language is not English.
The project planning team is addressing these outcomes and themes by highlighting literacies learning opportunities available during the events. Cross service CPD sessions have been delivered between the Library and AdultBasicEducation Services. There are documented therapeutic benefits associated with reading for pleasure. ESOL learners (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are encouraged to attend events, which has led to increased integration.
SMART Targets: The project has been designed to meet specific targets from the ABE Unit Plan and the Library Service Plan. A robust Management Information System (Cognisoft) is utilised to measure attendance and progression. The project planning team ensures that targets are achievable and realistic, based on continual evaluation using the LEAP process.
The project contributes to the CLD Strategy Outcome AL2 “Improve personal confidence, self esteem, social networking and personal health and wellbeing of community based learners.” by organising the sessions for learners to meet with each other and share opinions and learning experiences. Within the Big 8, Fife Council’s key priorities in achieving its vision, the project outcome AL1 looks to improve educational attainment and support vulnerable people, which links in with at least two of the Big 8 priorities. The events aim to attract the hardest to reach in Fife with an informal “low impact” learning session to introduce them to the possibilities of returning to education.
Partnership Working /Service Integration: This project is a genuine piece of partnership work. Staff from Fife Libraries and the ABE Service have worked together for many years, co-delivering author events, family and local history projects, supporting the Six Book Challenge and working with reading groups. Representatives from both services have held regular library /literacies meetings since January 2006.In 2012/13this partnership has planned throughoutFife with the intention of increasing access for new learners and increasing numbers attending the events. There is the potential to engage with 300 participants via these events.
DELIVERING / · implemented in all relevant areas and across all the required stakeholders· carried out in a structured and logical way , using robust and sustainable methods
Inclusion of all stakeholders: Both Fife Libraries and the ABE Service are represented in the planning group and on the Library /Literacy group. The group extended consultation to include ESOL staff, Community Education Workers, literacies tutors and the membership of Local Planning Groups (LPGs), which includes representatives from Community Based adult education, further education, public and voluntary sectors. Following each event, participants are consulted via surveys and discussions with tutors and library staff. Feedback is taken into account when planning the next event. Evidence of the impact of each event is gathered and analysed to inform future planning of events. LEAP, “Learning Evaluation and Planning", is a framework that supports us to plan more effectively; identify and evidence the changes that we hope to make; learn from our experiences and work in partnership with one another. LEAP is an approach to planning and evaluation that is outcome- focused, participatory and learning-based. By enabling clear analysis of needs, planning, implementation and review of action, it assists partners and participants to achieve the changes that they seek. These are used with Course Proposals to measure progress against milestones.
The project has been circulated across the 3 ABE areas in Fife, Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth, Glenrothes and North East Fife and Dunfermline and West Fife. Events are held in a variety of theatres, local halls and centres throughout the area and in 2012/13 events are planned totarget learners in particular localities. The events have changed over time to target particular sectors of the population in Fife, for example youth literacies andfamily literacies. An event aimed at 16+ learners in the East Neuk of Fife is taking place in October and a family learning event, for parents and children in February 2013.
Sustainability:A proportion of the Fife Adult Literacies Partnership funding each year is set aside for local innovative projects and is managed through the LPGs. Book and film events have been funded by bidding into this. Criteria for funding includes a partnership approach and a reasonable unit cost both of which criteria are met by the project. As the project has developed the planning team has found more affordable accommodation by calling on wider partnerships e.g. theatres and libraries.
INNOVATION + LEADING PRACTICE / · Demonstrates leading practice, and is capable of replication elsewhere· Achieves genuine innovation or new ways of working
Originality: As far as the project team is aware, this is the only project of its type in Scotland. Although, several other library services hold book/film events, these have traditionally been events aimed at confident readers or members of mainstream library reading groups who do not have additional literacy needs. The unique idea of this focused approach to literacy and reading by first familiarising the audience with the film version of the story takes the established language experience approach of building reading based on a learner’s own existing knowledge and understanding of the world into a more creative setting.
Replication: The simplicity of the approach lends itself to easy replication. Jennifer Stewart, Service Development Librarian was invited to address the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) annual conference in June 2012 to share best practice. Her presentation on the book and film events in Fife was very well received with interest in the project coming from other authorities.
RESULTS + IMPACT / · a convincing mix of customer and internal performance measures·demonstrates howbetter outcomes are being achieved
· a full range of relevant results– either already achieved or with potential to deliverover time
Performance Information:The project outcomes are measured through pre- and post event participant surveys, by gathering impact statements and by analysing ILPs (Individual Learning Plans) of existing adult Literacies learners and by the number of participants who join the library at each event or who note an interest in adult learning courses during and immediately after the event. Three of the relevant outcomes of ALiS 2020 are (1) Literacies and family (2) Literacies and health and wellbeing and (3) Adults whose first language is not English.
We are addressing these outcomes by planning specific events to target young adults and families with young children. There are documented therapeutic benefits associated with reading for pleasure which addresses literacies and health and wellbeing by welcoming vulnerable learners to the events on both an educational and social level, and ESOL learners (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are encouraged to attend events, which has led to increased integration. The Library Service Plan 2012-2017 includes the following aims: To increase active book borrowing, to increase numbers of adult basic education learners using library services, to promote literacy and encourage book issues and to promote reading and increase reader participation. Learners joining the library at or as a result of these events are given an identifier on their library membership so that their reading/borrowing can be tracked. Participants complete an evaluation recording their interest in joining the library service, and in reading generally both before and after the event, and this evaluationis used to gauge success at meeting the project aims.
A robust Management Information System (COGNISOFT) is used to record the overall number of participants and the LEAP process is used for staff to evaluate each event. Information from participant feedback , such as the following comment,is used to inform the planning process for future events.
‘One of the learners has taken inspiration from the film event and isusing it for his SQA Level 4 Communication Unit. He has found out lots of info about "The Real Shawshank", The Ohio State Reformatory. All the learners reported that they loved the film and seemed more motivated as a result. It has prompted plenty of discussion in the centre.’ ABE Group Tutor
Literacies learners upload critiques of the events onto their website to encourage other existing and potential learners to attend.
To date (September 2012) 155 participants have taken part in Book and Film events in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and St Andrews. Seven events area planned between Autumn 2012 and March 2013 with the potential to enagage with up to 300 participants, at least half of which should be individuals who do not currently engage in any community based adult learning.
COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2013 Page | 1