Libraries of Sanctuary

Help for those in need

Our Libraries and Archives are committed to providing help and support to those in need. This is why we wish to become a Library of Sanctuary. We want to ensure we continue to play a vital role in welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary in our communities.

The status of Library of Sanctuary is awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK, a charity that coordinates, supports and grows networks for people seeking sanctuary and safety. They work with individuals, groups, and organisations such as libraries to encourage:

• inclusivity
• solidarity
• compassion

for people from a forced displacement background.

Libraries help with this because we facilitate learning, cultural exchange, and community integration.

Get involved

Contact us to volunteer at our libraries, with a specific focus on welcoming, cultural, or community projects.

Our current offering

Language development programmes

We offer English and Spanish conversation classes and groups, tailored to help people learning English or Spanish as an additional language. Speakers improve their proficiency and communication skills.

Online and physical resources

To support learning, we provide access to a wide array of online resources, including digital platforms for language learning, educational development, and digital help sessions for anyone who is digitally excluded. Our online collection features e-books, audiobooks, and journals in multiple languages, ensuring resources are accessible to everyone.

We also house a rich collection of community language books, promoting inclusivity and cultural understanding by serving our multicultural audience. We boast a significant collection of Chinese and Japanese books, with high circulation and a quiet reading environment for users.

Community and cultural events

Throughout the year, we organise awareness activities that highlight and celebrate cultural heritage and traditions from around the globe. Our awareness programme includes displays, activities, and events for Refugee Week and much more. We also host Black History Month (BHM) events dedicated to recognising and celebrating Black history and culture.

We will continue to help people in need find sanctuary at the library, in all its forms.