The role of local authorities in lifelong learning: The case for a balance between different forms of social coordination for joint education and public library service initiatives

Abstract

Many of the pressures for change in society are impacting in similar ways upon both libraries and schools. This gives local authorities an opportunity to coordinate both education and public library services to tackle the national goal of strengthening social cohesion through lifelong learning. This article suggests that this coordination needs to effect a balance between partnership, hierarchy and market approaches to the coordination of such initiatives and draws upon practical examples and data from work in both Southampton and West Berkshire. © 1999 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.