Libraries Gave Us Power
@lgupbook.bsky.social
Gavin McCann, UNISON E Mids & formerly ISTC (now Community). Hopefully a book will emerge to provide a history of TU education for its members and I will post my findings on here as I go.
Pinned
My aim is to create a book that brings together the history of trade union education for members. At the very least I hope to celebrate the lives of those Trade Unionists whose actions and campaigning has changed our society.
New blog post - Women, Trade Unions and Lifelong Learning.
www.librariesgaveuspower.net/post/women-t...
www.librariesgaveuspower.net/post/women-t...
Women, Trade unions and Learning: Finding the Women Who Were Always There
Who Gets Remembered?At a recent workshop organised by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and led by brilliant trade union educator Cilla Ross, we were asked to consider the prominence of women...
www.librariesgaveuspower.net
July 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
New blog post - Women, Trade Unions and Lifelong Learning.
www.librariesgaveuspower.net/post/women-t...
www.librariesgaveuspower.net/post/women-t...
To support the book, I've created website which I will use to share interesting things I've found along the way. You can find it at: www.librariesgaveuspower.net
Home | Libraries Gave Us Po
www.librariesgaveuspower.net
June 21, 2025 at 8:47 AM
To support the book, I've created website which I will use to share interesting things I've found along the way. You can find it at: www.librariesgaveuspower.net
Ellen Wilkinson: Minister of Edu. '45-'47. @usdawunion.bsky.social official
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
June 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Ellen Wilkinson: Minister of Edu. '45-'47. @usdawunion.bsky.social official
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
Two books I've putting off for quite a while as I know they'll require a lot of notes!
June 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Two books I've putting off for quite a while as I know they'll require a lot of notes!
'Time Off to Learn' (1987) was published to support 'Paid Educational Leave' & covered:
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
May 31, 2025 at 2:06 PM
'Time Off to Learn' (1987) was published to support 'Paid Educational Leave' & covered:
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
One of JF Horrabin's National Council of Labour College (NCLC) cartoons attacking the motives of the state for supporting working class education.
May 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
One of JF Horrabin's National Council of Labour College (NCLC) cartoons attacking the motives of the state for supporting working class education.
"It's time for the unions to re-join the fight for adult education" - my blog for the @weaadulted.bsky.social
www.wea.org.uk/unions-adult...
www.wea.org.uk/unions-adult...
Why unions need to fight for adult education | WEA
Why do unions need to fight for adult education? Gavin McCann has a few reasons.
www.wea.org.uk
May 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"It's time for the unions to re-join the fight for adult education" - my blog for the @weaadulted.bsky.social
www.wea.org.uk/unions-adult...
www.wea.org.uk/unions-adult...
This is essential. A criticism levelled at the TUC during the 'ULF years' was that the movement failed to shift Government policy on this important issue. The GMB & T&G made the case in the 90s & was also the view of the Working Group on Workplace Learning, which was Chaired by UNISON's Head of Edu
3. Lesson 3 is that despite all the policies we've had, there's little focus on employer investment & utilisation of skills. This is the missing link of policy. Employers self-organised in 19th century to create Mechanics Institutes, but now often look to Government to pay for & solve skills.
May 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This is essential. A criticism levelled at the TUC during the 'ULF years' was that the movement failed to shift Government policy on this important issue. The GMB & T&G made the case in the 90s & was also the view of the Working Group on Workplace Learning, which was Chaired by UNISON's Head of Edu
Reposted by Libraries Gave Us Power
'Reducing funding for adult learners is “harming social outcomes, health and wellbeing, economic growth and individual opportunity”'
The need for an increase, not decrease, in funding adult education is made startling clear by @learnworkuk.bsky.social report. Read @feweek.bsky.social article below👇
The need for an increase, not decrease, in funding adult education is made startling clear by @learnworkuk.bsky.social report. Read @feweek.bsky.social article below👇
📉 Adult participation in further education has plummeted to levels not seen since the aftermath of the Second World War, research reveals
feweek.co.uk/adult-learne...
feweek.co.uk/adult-learne...
Adult learner numbers have bombed to post-war levels - L&W
Adult participation in further education has plummeted to levels not seen since the aftermath of the Second World War, research reveals.
feweek.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
'Reducing funding for adult learners is “harming social outcomes, health and wellbeing, economic growth and individual opportunity”'
The need for an increase, not decrease, in funding adult education is made startling clear by @learnworkuk.bsky.social report. Read @feweek.bsky.social article below👇
The need for an increase, not decrease, in funding adult education is made startling clear by @learnworkuk.bsky.social report. Read @feweek.bsky.social article below👇
In the early 20th century trade union education flourished. However, the main providers (WEA & National Council of Labour Colleges) did not get on. This 21st birthday greeting to the WEA kind of sums it up. 'You ask for birthday greetings...we should be happier to attend your funeral'
April 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
In the early 20th century trade union education flourished. However, the main providers (WEA & National Council of Labour Colleges) did not get on. This 21st birthday greeting to the WEA kind of sums it up. 'You ask for birthday greetings...we should be happier to attend your funeral'
Proof, if needed, that @weaadulted.bsky.social tutors were never too formal for their students. NUM summer school (no date but presumably 1950s)
April 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Proof, if needed, that @weaadulted.bsky.social tutors were never too formal for their students. NUM summer school (no date but presumably 1950s)
Following the Russell Report into Adult Education in 1973, the @weaadulted.bsky.social called on Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, to be a "good fairy" to implement the findings and double the numbers involved in adult education to 4 million. Articles found in London Met Uni archive
April 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Following the Russell Report into Adult Education in 1973, the @weaadulted.bsky.social called on Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, to be a "good fairy" to implement the findings and double the numbers involved in adult education to 4 million. Articles found in London Met Uni archive
First ever trip to the People's History MMuseum & it was superb.
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
April 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
First ever trip to the People's History MMuseum & it was superb.
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
"Education on an empty stomach is a waste of money"
Fred Jowett, 1904, on Bradford City Council being the first in the country to offer free school meals.
Fred Jowett, 1904, on Bradford City Council being the first in the country to offer free school meals.
April 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
"Education on an empty stomach is a waste of money"
Fred Jowett, 1904, on Bradford City Council being the first in the country to offer free school meals.
Fred Jowett, 1904, on Bradford City Council being the first in the country to offer free school meals.
An incredible day spent at the stunning Bolton Library archives, absorbed by the world of Alice Foley, first female Secretary of a Cotton union. Her autobiography, ‘A Bolton Childhood’ should be widely read. She faced many barriers (esp from her union) to fight for equality and rights for women.
April 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
An incredible day spent at the stunning Bolton Library archives, absorbed by the world of Alice Foley, first female Secretary of a Cotton union. Her autobiography, ‘A Bolton Childhood’ should be widely read. She faced many barriers (esp from her union) to fight for equality and rights for women.
The first @weaadulted.bsky.social courses began in Jan 1908 in Rochdale and Longton & delivered by RH Tawney. The archives at London Met Uni are an incredible resource where you can trace the incredible challenges faced in setting up this remarkable achievement.
March 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The first @weaadulted.bsky.social courses began in Jan 1908 in Rochdale and Longton & delivered by RH Tawney. The archives at London Met Uni are an incredible resource where you can trace the incredible challenges faced in setting up this remarkable achievement.
Privileged to talk to Fiona Hill & hear her story from the Durham coalfields to the Oval Office
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
March 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Privileged to talk to Fiona Hill & hear her story from the Durham coalfields to the Oval Office
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
What links these?
- The impeachment of Donald Trump
- Stars In Their Eyes with Matthew Kelly
- Cross-country running in the rain at school
Oddly, they all feature in current drafts of my book about the history of trade unions and education!
- The impeachment of Donald Trump
- Stars In Their Eyes with Matthew Kelly
- Cross-country running in the rain at school
Oddly, they all feature in current drafts of my book about the history of trade unions and education!
a man with long hair and a beard is holding a glass with the word huh on it
ALT: a man with long hair and a beard is holding a glass with the word huh on it
media.tenor.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
What links these?
- The impeachment of Donald Trump
- Stars In Their Eyes with Matthew Kelly
- Cross-country running in the rain at school
Oddly, they all feature in current drafts of my book about the history of trade unions and education!
- The impeachment of Donald Trump
- Stars In Their Eyes with Matthew Kelly
- Cross-country running in the rain at school
Oddly, they all feature in current drafts of my book about the history of trade unions and education!
Archivists of the world unite! Truly the very best people you can meet.
We've loved seeing more archives arrive in the past few weeks, including
Kent Archives @kentarchives.bsky.social
Gwent Archives @gwentarchives.bsky.social
Hull History Centre @hullhistorycentre.bsky.social
149 accounts now in our UK/Ireland starter pack - who'll make it 150?
go.bsky.app/6Qz8qG3
Kent Archives @kentarchives.bsky.social
Gwent Archives @gwentarchives.bsky.social
Hull History Centre @hullhistorycentre.bsky.social
149 accounts now in our UK/Ireland starter pack - who'll make it 150?
go.bsky.app/6Qz8qG3
March 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Archivists of the world unite! Truly the very best people you can meet.
6 new books this week!
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
March 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
6 new books this week!
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
Libraries Gave Us Power (or whatever it will end up being called) is very much a personal exploration. We recently moved office, and my refusal to bin everything meant I could put together just some of the booklets and documents I've used to promote learning over the past 20 years.
March 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Libraries Gave Us Power (or whatever it will end up being called) is very much a personal exploration. We recently moved office, and my refusal to bin everything meant I could put together just some of the booklets and documents I've used to promote learning over the past 20 years.
For anyone in the Notts/Derbs area, there are two events this week organised by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Labour History Society.
March 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
For anyone in the Notts/Derbs area, there are two events this week organised by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Labour History Society.
I am fortunate to have a copy of the memoir written by NUPE/UNISONs former Head of Education, Jim Sutherland. The sub-title is 'Educate, Organise, Control', taken from his first AEU badge in the 1950s & sets the scene for his view of unions. Have just bought my very own badge, and it is beautiful.
March 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I am fortunate to have a copy of the memoir written by NUPE/UNISONs former Head of Education, Jim Sutherland. The sub-title is 'Educate, Organise, Control', taken from his first AEU badge in the 1950s & sets the scene for his view of unions. Have just bought my very own badge, and it is beautiful.
The early stages of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) saw numerous local projects flourish. The @gmb.org.uk in Lincolnshire & Humberside were at the forefront, developing learning centres & establishing Saturday clubs & were recognised with local, regional & national awards for their brilliant work
March 13, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The early stages of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) saw numerous local projects flourish. The @gmb.org.uk in Lincolnshire & Humberside were at the forefront, developing learning centres & establishing Saturday clubs & were recognised with local, regional & national awards for their brilliant work
This week's purchases:
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
March 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
This week's purchases:
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along