Family learning in museums, libraries and archives

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and NIACE are working together to create more family learning opportunities for more families.  We are developing new networks with family learning practitioners and museums, libraries and archives at local level, and providing training opportunities. 

Building on what already exists, we are developing a cultural family learning network to share good practice in family learning across the sectors; understand the policy context; and identify and develop partnership working across the sectors. 

We are rolling out family learning training for the MLA sector, using and contextualising elements of the family learning qualifications.  

• Family learning practitioners in the MLA sector
• Family learning providers in local authorities and their partners, who work with or want to work with museums, libraries and archives.

Work with the museums, libraries and archives sector has been ongoing since 2007.

In our 2007 evaluation of family learning in museums in the North West Hub and our subsequent publication, 'Families, learning and culture', we identified that there has been a strong focus on encouraging family audiences who might not otherwise access museums, libraries and archives.  However, much of this could not be classed as family learning because it did not actively involve parents or carers.  Since then, we have worked in partnership with the MLA to develop and support family learning in museums, libraries and archives.  This work has so far included:

• Development of a typology for museums and galleries designed to clarify the different types of activity that museums, libraries and archives offer and the associated outcomes for each type 
• Piloting a level 3 family learning qualification unit,  'Principles and Practice of Family Learning', contextualised for museums and galleries staff, with museums in the North West 
• An MLA-published practical resource, 'Developing and supporting family learning in museums and galleries' for museum and gallery staff, family learning tutors and managers and early years practitioners  
• A resource pack, 'Families, learning and storytelling' on using archives for community cohesion as part of the Reading for Pleasure project     
• An on-line resource and origami mini-book on 'Families, learning and libraries' as part of the Reading for Pleasure project 

Developing and supporting family learning in museums and galleries (2009)

Families, learning and storytelling (2009)

Families, learning and libraries (2009)

Families, learning and culture: inspiring families through museums, libraries and archives (2008)

Renaissance North West: evaluation of the North West Museum Hub family learning initiative (2008)

So far our work with the museums, libraries and archives sector has raised the profile of family learning within the sector and enhanced links between the museums, libraries and archives and family learning providers.  In particular, it has enhanced learning outcomes for parents and carers, as well as children.  We are now helping to build strong and sustainable partnerships between family learning practitioners and museums, libraries and archives at local level. By working together in this way we can create more family learning opportunities for more families.

Clare Meade
clare.meade@niace.org.uk
+44 (0) 116 204 2851
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE