Overcoming Information Poverty

Chapter 8

Investigating Information Poverty at the Meso Level

Part 2

Abstract

This chapter considers how strategies to address information poverty can be operationalised within communities. It analyses a survey of branch library managers working in the 10% most socially deprived areas in Northern Ireland and interviews with specialist library staff who are tackling information poverty and social exclusion. The chapter begins by considering the challenges facing library managers who are attempting to increase library usage in disadvantaged areas. It highlights the importance of developing community partnerships and provides more specific examples of community engagement with marginalised groups, such as the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled ...