Above: Image: © MLA, Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne. Photographer: Peter Skelton

Your opinion: Do you think museums, libraries & archives make a unique contribution to citizenship education?

  Yes, I strongly agree

  Yes, I agree

  I neither agree nor disagree

  No, I disagree

  No, I strongly disagree

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Museums, libraries and archives are at the heart of our communities, holding collections and resources that tell human stories past and present. 

The issues of citizenship, identity and diversity are complex. Objects, documents, images and books can intrigue children and capture their imagination and energy to encourage them to explore their own identities and to understand the lives of those around them in the wider world.

Exploration of the past can be used as a "way-in" to contemporary debates. For example, exploration of the history of the suffrage movement at the Women's Library can open debate on gender inequalities today; and collections relating to ship-building at Tyne & Wear Museums can support discussion about community identities and links with the world economy.

Museums, libraries and archives can make a unique contribution to support schools to deliver vibrant approaches to citizenship education. We can offer educational visits, extraordinary and intriguing collections, learning materials, online resources and advice from experienced staff.

• The national network of museums, libraries and archives is based in localities with collections and spaces that are often personalised to the communities in which they are based. This local identity offers opportunities for children and young people to question and think about who they are and who else makes up their immediate community.
  
• Our sector encourages active, participative approaches to learning based around discussion and debate. Issues are not presented as set in stone, but children are encouraged to think, balance arguments and positions and then to decide.
  
• Museums, libraries and archives are active learning environments outside the classroom. Children and young people can handle powerful primary and secondary resources which stimulate imagination, creativity and thought and provide powerful connections to people in other times and places.
  
• Our sector supports social and emotional development, and offers opportunities for positive contributions to communities through activities such as volunteering.
  
• Our sector presents a wealth of online and digital resources which support the interactive exploration of collections and provide access to innovative learning materials. These resources support school groups who visit museums, libraries and archives and also extend the reach to those unable to visit in person.

In recent years museums, libraries and archives across the country have worked hard to develop ways of using their collections and resources for citizenship education, and built vibrant working relationships with schools. We welcome the WDWTWA programme as an opportunity to further develop our sector's unique and valuable offer. 

Written by:
Roy Clare CBE
Chief Executive, MLA (The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council)
Website: http://www.mla.gov.uk

DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in the article featured above are the writer's own and do not represent the views of either the Who Do We Think We Are (WDWTWA) consortium of partners (Royal Geographical Society with IBG, the Historical Association and Citizenship Consultant Paula Kitching) or the project's funding body, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

If you would like to comment on the content of this article, please send a response via the WDWTWA Blog (Have your say), or email wdwtwa@rgs.org.