Cambridgeshire Libraries has made a pledge as an organisation to adhere to the City of Sanctuary charter, and to work towards Libraries of Sanctuary national award.
Public libraries have always played an important role in welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary in our communities, particularly so in Cambridgeshire where we have a strong heritage of welcoming people who need help.
The Libraries of Sanctuary award recognises and celebrates the libraries that go above and beyond to show solidarity and welcome.
Libraries of Sanctuary is a network of librarians, library staff, community groups and book lovers who are raising awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system, offering support and participation opportunities, and contributing to a culture of welcome in the wider community.
To begin this process of application, Cambridgeshire Libraries has made a public commitment to becoming a Libraries of Sanctuary, and therefore endorsing the City of Sanctuary charter, and agreeing to its values and principles with a commitment to embed these into our library network.
As the service goes through the application period, libraries will need to provide evidence which demonstrates how they meet the key criteria on which the award is based;
- Learn: find out what it means to be seeking sanctuary; and be actively involved in awareness raising.
- Embed: take positive action to make welcome and inclusion part of the values of your organisation or community, to support sanctuary seekers and refugees, and to include them in your activities.
- Share your vision and achievements: let others know about the positive contribution refugees make to our society and the benefits of a welcoming culture to everyone.
This includes;
- Organising training and learning activities for staff and volunteers to raise awareness of the experiences of people seeking sanctuary and other new arrivals
- Providing staff with up-to-date knowledge about local communities, with particular reference to people seeking sanctuary, including countries of origin, language skills, religious affiliations, and other cultural characteristics – and also equipping staff with the knowledge to be able to find out and keep up to date with this information themselves
- Working with other parts of the local authority to pool information about people seeking sanctuary in our area
- Ensuring that staff are aware of the likely sensitivities and fears of people seeking sanctuary, especially those who have experienced persecution, torture or violence
- Ensuring supporting staff are mindful of possible threats to the safety of users and staff, especially from those who are hostile to people seeking sanctuary and other migrants.
Cllr Tom Sanderson, Chair of Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion committee, Cambridgeshire County Council said;
"We all have a part to play in building safe, welcoming and inclusive communities. Public libraries play an important role, especially in welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary in our communities. We are proud that Cambridgeshire Libraries has made this first step towards becoming a Libraries of Sanctuary.
“Libraries of Sanctuary is a network of librarians, library staff, community groups and book lovers who are raising awareness of the issue facing people in the asylum system, offering support and participation opportunities, and contributing to a culture of welcome in the wider community."
Sian Summers-Rees, City of Sanctuary Chief Officer:
"Public libraries play an important role in welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary in our communities. We are delighted that Cambridgeshire Libraries has made this first step towards becoming a Library Service of Sanctuary - a safe and inclusive space for everyone."
