Hardback : £59.46
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.
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
John Vincent has worked in the public sector since the 1960s,
primarily for Hertfordshire, Lambeth and Enfield public library
services. In 1997, he was invited to become part of the team that
produced the UK’s first review of public libraries and social
exclusion (from which The Network, which he now coordinates,
originated). John runs courses and lectures, writes, produces
regular newsletters and ebulletins, and lobbies for greater
awareness of the role that libraries, archives,
museums, and the cultural and heritage sector play in contributing
to social justice. He is particularly interested in supporting the
work that libraries do with young people in care, with LGBTQ+
people, and with people seeking sanctuary and other ‘new arrivals’
to the UK.
"The strength of this work stems from Vincent's carefully developed
case study narratives that situates those reading this work into
grounded, real-world responses. From individual accounts of asylum,
organizational responses, to wider policy documents, this book
offers the reader a thoughtful exploration of previous action in a
thematic way that builds up from the past, present and into future
activities ... Vincent's book has [power] as a conversation starter
and foundational text to further continue moving the library and
information sector to be a force of emancipation and social
justice."
-- Journal of Librarianship and Information Science
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