I'm just trying to package some last minute recommendations
to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion
(http://www.integrationandcohesion.org.uk/) and would like
to check something with the list.
A few years ago I heard about a 'people' library service in
the Netherlands, in which it was made possible to 'borrow' a
person for a short period to tell you about stuff, eg about
a different religion, the history of a place, etc. As I
understood it, the library was coordinating a directory of
independent 'expertise', which is what they do anyway, it's
just that this comes packaged as interactive human beings.
(I've used such a service myself recently on a visit to
Belfast, when I wanted an informed guide round local
neighbourhoods on either side of the divide: I used a
tourism agency, not a library).
Have any UK library services considered or tried
systematising this sort of initiative, eg as part of a
concerted cohesion stategy? If so, any feedback would be
welcome, including any convincing reasons why it should not
be tried.
The source I had was http://www.multicultureeldrenthe.nl but
the link seems to have rotted. Any information on this also
would be welcome.
Thanks
kevin
Kevin Harris
Local Level
http://www.local-level.org.uk
0773 042 9993
The Neighbourhoods Weblog
http://neighbourhoods.typepad.com
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