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Libraries and Sanctuary is a practical guide to how libraries and their staff can support ‘new arrivals’ – people who have crossed borders to reach a country. The book looks at the different drivers behind an individual’s move, their need for signposting, and at the sorts of barriers that are faced by new arrivals and people seeking sanctuary. Readers will discover the background reasons for migration, the global political context of migration, and the likely impacts of both of these. They will also gain an understanding of just how much work libraries have done so far; learn from practical initiatives, ‘what works’ examples and longer case studies; identify gaps in library provision; and find inspiration to start similar initiatives in their own institution. Drawing on the author’s decades of work in libraries and social exclusion, this is a book for anyone seeking to create an inclusive and welcoming library community.
Introduction
Definitions and scope of the book: when we talk about “refugees and other new arrivals”, who exactly do we mean?
What has been the response in the UK?
What does any of this have to do with libraries?
Libraries’ responses in the UK – historical background
What barriers are there to the take-up of library services by new arrivals? And how can we begin to dismantle these?
How are libraries responding today? And what more can we do? Some practical ideas …
And what can we learn from elsewhere?
Conclusions
Appendix 1: Main countries of origin of people seeking asylum
Appendix 2: Immigration status
Appendix 3: A note on funding
Appendix 4: A brief look at the supply of library materials
Appendix 5: Outline for a course, “Working with new arrivals”
Appendix 6: Some sources of information about new arrivals locally and regionally
Appendix 7: Effective communications
Appendix 8: Community cohesion