Libraries act to stop young people becoming “NEET”

via Library & Information Update blog by Ms Elspeth Hyams


Public library services are working with youth agencies like Connexions to tackle one of the most intractable issues in social policy: the number of young people not in employment, education or training.


Action is crucial to help mitigate the effects of the recession which, The Times says, “is having a disproportionate effect on the young: whether they are educated and mired in student debt, or low-skilled and burdened by low expectations and the acceptance of a benefits culture.” (Just the Job, 3 July 2009).

The Guardian notes that the Conservative Party has accused the government of creating a lost generation as number of teenagers starting apprenticeships drops by 8% . It too covers the numbers story (Nearly a million young people not in work or education) and notes that the Number of teenagers not in work or school rises to 10.3 per cent.

Update [Library + Information Update from CILIP] is sponsoring a second executive briefing [link goes to request a brochure], on 27 November 2009, to explore how some library services and alternative providers are already working with young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs).

With a keynote address from the Department for Children, Schools and Families leading NEETs policy-maker Oliver Newton, this will be one of this year's essential meetings.


The number of young people who are NEET is a hot topic. Library services can and are taking a lead in recessionary times. Come to the briefing to find out more about the policy agenda and positive action, to tackle one of the biggest social issues of the day.


Elspeth Hyams, Editor, Update

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