So we have engaged library users through a creative programme which aims to bring together social media vid- eos about climate change. This has been supported by workshops with migrant communities that encourage participants from Oldham and Germany to share their stories and pick up the skills and resources to make short videos that will be shared on social media. Beyond the scope of the project we have discussed simply connecting our groups via Zoom, we can do this with minimal costs and feel the benefits would be great for both the community and library workers who can share experiences, skills and resources.
IP: How does having an internat- ional perspective and international partners help to improve outcomes, learning and knowledge?
VV: Sharing ideas and experiences – librarians love to share and nobody is precious about their achievements, we want each other to do well! Another perspective can give you
confidence to try new things – this was definitely the case with our work around climate change.
Skills sharing – we were excited to travel to Germany and shadow German colleagues, and vice versa, but we are delighted we can still do this at our mini conference, and reach even more people. I’m really excited to hear about how other librarians have made internation- al connections, it’s something we want to continue to do in Oldham and I’m sure there will be lots of inspiration at the conference.
John Vincent is founder and co-ordinator for The Network, an affiliation of library, museums, archives and galleries committed to tackling social exclusion. He is also part the Libraries of Sanc-
tuary initiative, which promotes the use of libraries as welcoming spaces for anyone feeling the need for sanctuary.
Information Professional (IP): Can you explain the Library of Sanctuary concept?
John Vincent (JV): The City of Sanctu- ary movement began in October 2005 in Sheffield. In September 2007, with the support of the City Council and over 70 local community organisations, Sheffield became the UK’s first ‘City of Sanctuary’ – a city that takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety. Within the City of Sanctuary movement, there is a number of Streams of Sanctuary, such as Arts, Gardens, Health, Schools, and Universities – and the Libraries Stream is the latest. Libraries that would like to apply to become Libraries of Sanctuary need to demonstrate that they welcome people seeking sanctuary and other new arrivals into their community and seek to foster a culture of welcome and inclusivity. They also need to show that they are learning about offering sanctuary, embedding this learning in their institution, and sharing their learning and opportunities with the wider community.
John Vincent is founder and co-ordinator for The Network.
April-May 2021
IP: And how does that fit within the framework of the Working Interna- tionally project?
JV: To be able to show that they are learn-
ing about what it means to be seeking sanctuary, libraries need to understand some of the background to why people seek sanctuary (as well as understanding their needs, experiences and the challenges of living in the UK).
The more that libraries in the UK learn about and understand the issues facing people in other parts of the world, the more they will be able to offer a support- ive and empathetic welcome. The Working Internationally project is a terrific gateway into finding out what experiences people have elsewhere. The session that I am involved in at the Con- ference will share experience of working with new arrivals in Greece and in the UK.
IP: How does having that interna- tional perspective help?
JV: An international perspective is extremely important as background to working with new arrivals in the UK. At the same time, it is as important to gain an in-depth understanding of processes and systems in the UK – for example, the ‘hostile environment’ and its ongoing impact on new arrivals and on commu- nities that have been here some while (eg the ‘Windrush Generation’); the constantly changing immigration legislation and rules; and the political stances taken by different governments to new arrivals. IP
l Working Internationally Conference takes places on 25 June and is free to attend. For full details and to register, visit
https://pheedloop.com/workingintconf21/site/home.
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