I have campaigned door to door, but the most interesting experience was working in data gathering. This involved speaking to residents about their priorities in the upcoming election. It was eye-opening to see how local data informs national strategy, and how parties can adopt rhet- oric without necessarily committing to corresponding policies.”
This interest led him to spot how a change in the law might have implications for the community he served: “I initially chose to pursue this area in 2023, when I applied for European Challenge funding, because I recognised that new voter ID requirements might be a barrier in Woolwich.” Patrick sought funding for a democracy related project and Woolwich libraries was awarded £10,000 by the European Cultural Foundation for its Democratic Library project (
https://theeuropechallenge.eu/ the-democratic-library). This has continued to evolve from helping voters access the sys- tem to exploring how “public libraries can and should be political in a neutral and meaningful way”. (
https://tinyurl.com/vjua2t6h).
Evolution
More changes in the democratic system have created more avenues for library involvement. “With 16-year-olds gaining the right to vote, we are exploring part- nerships with secondary schools to help young people understand how to register, read manifestos, and review policies. We are also developing GLL libraries as cen- tres of democratic engagement,” he says, adding that he is “currently working with colleagues in Wandsworth and Bromley to expand this offer. In Greenwich, staff trained by the electoral department assist residents with online registration, taking photos for ID, and checking the electoral register. For the May local elections, we will work with community partners to reach demographics less likely to vote, including renters, non-graduates, and immigrants. This targeted approach is supported by research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.”
Protect the core
Patrick has worked in public libraries for eight years. He started his career as a chil- dren’s librarian then managed libraries, and is now Development Manager for Greenwich Libraries. He said: “As public libraries have expanded their digital services, I have become increasingly curious about how the sector can innovate without losing its integrity or diminishing its commitment to literacy.” The innovation versus integrity balance is a key factor when exploring the role of libraries in democratic systems. Patrick said: “The main risk is undermining the core library offer. If democratic program- ming begins to limit space or staff capacity for core services, it should not proceed.”
42 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
He said: “Beyond elections, we have facilitated resident engagement in local initiatives such as the Greener Streets policy, consultations on new leisure centres, and housing developments. These experiences have shown that civic engage- ment can sit comfortably alongside our traditional library services.”
More core? Patrick Malone.
But he says making the effort is legitimate: “Public libraries have a long history of promoting local government programmes and raising awareness of community initiatives. This project is a natural extension of that role. For exam- ple, Greenwich Council recently used our libraries to promote information about ‘cuckooing’ – where someone’s home is taken over for drug production or dealing. While that issue is quite different from low voter turnout, it demonstrates how libraries can support residents in be- coming responsible, informed citizens. Furthermore, libraries are often used as polling stations. Ensuring that residents are registered to vote enhances the role of libraries as democratic spaces and supports their function as trusted venues for civic participation.”
Patrick reiterates this, adding: “Program- ming for democracy should not interfere with the core library offer. Just as libraries host events for Black History Month or Pride, democratic initiatives are additional layers of service, not replacements. Resi- dents can choose whether to engage, and neutrality must always be maintained.” But he said the democratic mission had become a more visible and corporate priority at GLL itself: “Promoting demo- cratic engagement is now written into the GLL strategy, which I welcome. Libraries have always supported people in making informed decisions and registering for essential services; framing this as dem- ocratic engagement simply brings those roles together under a shared banner. It strengthens GLL’s mission to support communities with knowledge, access, and opportunity. Democratic engagement is now explicitly part of our strategy.”
Creative approach
“We took a creative approach to this chal- lenge,” Patrick said. “With funding from the European Challenge, we recruited local artists and designed a mobile exhibi- tion that could be wheeled to local events, such as farmers’ markets.”
Enlisting artists is an idea discussed in “Meet Me At the Library” which Patrick
Art therapy workshops on the theme of democracy. Winter 2025
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