Iwas thrilled to be invited to write the Foreword to the latest issue of the other side of hope, as it is such an important resource for bringing to our attention writing from across the world.
When libraries think about how to create a stronger welcome for new arrivals, there are lots of necessary practical things they can do – for example, signposting to other services, providing access to English language classes, ensuring that local information is up-to-date and easily accessible, reflecting the languages spoken in their communities, and much more.
However, in addition – and just as important – they can showcase writing by new arrivals themselves, writing that illustrates some of their difficult journeys to the UK (and why they are making them – a fact regularly overlooked in the current feverish political response to refugees and migrant workers) and which also helps us all have a deeper understanding of what it’s like to arrive somewhere as an outsider and the strength and courage that this involves.
Libraries may also organise readings and other activities (talks, music, exhibitions and other cultural activities) which not only appeal to existing library users but will also draw in a much wider audience especially if they are promoted to local community organisations; this can create that vital connection between newly-arrived communities and libraries, which will feed into broadening the library welcome, and can also start to develop the connections between different communities too. At a time when there has been open hostility to new arrivals on the streets, the more that libraries can foster cohesion the more chances there are of healing wounds – and highlighting that such animosity can be overcome.
However, in addition – and just as important – they can showcase writing by new arrivals themselves, writing that illustrates some of their difficult journeys to the UK (and why they are making them – a fact regularly overlooked in the current feverish political response to refugees and migrant workers) and which also helps us all have a deeper understanding of what it’s like to arrive somewhere as an outsider and the strength and courage that this involves.
Libraries may also organise readings and other activities (talks, music, exhibitions and other cultural activities) which not only appeal to existing library users but will also draw in a much wider audience especially if they are promoted to local community organisations; this can create that vital connection between newly-arrived communities and libraries, which will feed into broadening the library welcome, and can also start to develop the connections between different communities too. At a time when there has been open hostility to new arrivals on the streets, the more that libraries can foster cohesion the more chances there are of healing wounds – and highlighting that such animosity can be overcome.
John Vincent is the author of Libraries and sanctuary: supporting refugees and other new arrivals (Facet, 2022), and the guide Libraries of Sanctuary resource pack (City of Sanctuary, 2nd ed, 2021). He has worked in public libraries since the 1960s, and in 1997 he joined the team that produced the UK’s first review of public libraries and social exclusion (from which The Network, which he now coordinates, originated). He is particularly interested in supporting the work that libraries do with people seeking sanctuary and other ‘new arrivals’ to the UK, with young people in care, and with LGBTQ+ people. He is currently writing another book for Facet Publishing, this time on libraries’ responses to care-experienced young people.
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