The Black and Minority Ethnic Stock Group (BSG) in Hackney libraries

Describes the establishment and work of the Black and minority Ethnic Stock Group (BSG) in Hackney libraries. The BSG was an attempt to involve black staff, at all levels in the library service, in the selection of stock for the black community. As a first step, 25 per cent of the stock fund was allocated to the purchase of black stock. This helped to make up for historical underfunding and was part of a longer term strategy to match library resources to the community profile. The BSG was a successful experiment in staff empowerment and led to the selection of stock which was relevant to the black community.