Community engagement provides both challenges and rewards for the London Borough of Sutton's libraries and cultural heritage services. Some of the key challenges are that the public may be distrustful of local government and formal engagement processes, and community engagement requires dedicated staff time and resources. Sutton's libraries service addresses these challenges through diverse community involvement initiatives like local committees, friends groups, and neighborhood projects. When done effectively, community engagement can benefit both individuals and services by improving services, gaining political and funding support, and generating new ideas.

1. Community Engagement the challenges & rewards Angela Fletcher. Head of Libraries and Heritage London Borough of Sutton  

5. The Phoenix Centre

7. Whitehall & Honeywood

18. Conclusion there isn’t a right way… the only way to learn how, is to go ahead and do it… we’re not all good at it – those of us who aren’t should do everything we can to support those who are…