Public Libraries in Europe Welcome Refugees
Throughout Europe, public libraries have a proud tradition of welcoming everyone, regardless of ethnic origin.
Libraries welcome refugees arriving into European countries with plenty of activities for both children and adults, as well as access to information and education.
Related activities across Europe
"Free access to education and training, to information and culture is a fundamental right of all people"
(in the Statement by the German Library Association)
Please contact us if you have any update to this list: eblida@eblida.org
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Austria:Library magazine - focused on a culture of welcome for refugees in libraries Welcome A1 -poster (in 30 languages) "Reading without borders" project • Pool of best-practice-examples• Training courses • Book packages for libraries – e.g. Silent books • Library Card Terms and Conditions to download in 20 languages |
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Denmark: |
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Finland:Library Guide - in 17 languages A library is a meeting place for everyone! |
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Finland:Opi suomea: language café for refugees (Learn Finnish: Tapiola library is hosting a weekly language café! You will be introduced to a number of basic Finnish words used in everyday life.) |
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France:"Migrants in libraries: what do they need, how to welcome them, which services to provide?" |
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Germany:Welcomegrooves is a collaborative effort of more than 70 volunteers from the German creative industries and related sectors. Together, they have developed six lesson units "Learn German with Music". In cooperation with refugees, these units have been translated into 23 languages. For the sake of user-friendliness, they can be downloaded as MP3-files onto mobile phones/devices as well as used online. For both, libraries provide facilities and support. The idea of welcomegrooves is to give a warm welcome to the people who found shelter in Germany and to help them to familiarise themselves with their host country. |
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Germany:(Statement of the German Library Association) |
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Germany:"Books say welcome": German book sector launches initiative for refugees |
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Germany:Bibliotheksangebote für Flüchtlinge und Asylbewerber |
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Latvia:The Congress of Baltic Librarians adopted the following statement on refugees on 13 October 2015: Statement of Librarians of Baltic States on Library Services for Refugees |
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Netherlands:Libraries and refugees in The Netherlands Presentation at the Bibliotheks Kongress, Leipzig, March 2016 by Marian Koren, FOBID Netherlands Library Forum |
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Netherlands:Vluchtelingen in Nederland |
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Netherlands:Library information Handout for refugees created by the Bibliotheek Zuid-Kennemerland in Haarlem, Netherlands. The creators allow anyone to download and change the flyer - in English & Arabic - to their local situation. Printed flyers (double sided) can be distributed in refugee housing and other places. File format: Power Point Presentation |
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Netherlands:20 ideeën hoe uw bibliotheek vluchtelingen kan helpen |
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Netherlands:Biblionet Groningen: starts action for structural cooperation |
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Netherlands:Library Heusden: three times a week courses for refugees |
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Netherlands:Library Rotterdam: the youth panel collects 836 Euro |
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Netherlands:Library Venlo: donation 250 books for refugee centre |
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Norway:Mer penger til arabiskspråklig litteratur i bibliotekene |
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Sweden: |
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Switzerland:"Silent Books, from the world to Lampedusa and back" |
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United Kingdom:Library leaders across England and Wales confirm the welcome offered to refugees and asylum seekers from public libraries |
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United Kingdom:Welcoming Refugees to the UK (and to Libraries) |
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United Kingdom: |
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IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsLibrary Services to Immigrants and Refugees - anouncement to the recording of the online event |
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IFLA - Responding! Public Libraries and Refugees(Examples and stories of the role public libraries are playing in the refugee crisis, particularly in Europe) |
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Media Monitor
- Publiclibrariesonline.org published an article on “Refugees Supported by Public Libraries in Europe” and EBLIDA’s role.
NEWS
EBLIDA Newsletter May 2022
09 May 2022: Register to the EBLIDA Conference! Come to Athens to see how libraries are working their post-Covid agenda! Read more >EBLIDA Newsletter April 2022
13 April 2022: Seven good reasons why EBLIDA is a must-do Conference! REGISTER NOW! Read more >Press Release: EBLIDA, NAPLE and PL2030 join together to reinforce and develop library initiatives for Ukrainian refugees
12 April 2022: JOIN our initiative! Read more >EBLIDA Newsletter March 2022
11 March 2022: With Statements and Declarations made by EBLIDA Members and other European Libraries/Institutions. Read more >The Russian Federation barbaric attack against Ukraine
24 February 2022: In response to the appeal launched by the Ukrainian Library Association, EBLIDA, NAPLE and Public Libraries 2030 to support democracy and freedom of expression. Read more >