Lambeth Libraries have gained ‘Library of Sanctuary’ accreditation by the City of Sanctuary charity in recognition of their work to create a culture of welcome in the borough. The award recognises and celebrates libraries that offer services that sanctuary-seeking communities judge to be inclusive.
Word From the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities said: “Lambeth is proud to have been a Borough of Sanctuary since December 2022, to be recognised as a borough that goes above and beyond to welcome and support people coming to the UK. Now we are doubly proud that everything our libraries do to help people feel part of Lambeth’s diverse community has also been recognised.”
Celebration Day
A celebration event at Clapham Library in World Refugee Week included specially curated short films and stalls from appropriate local services, as well as refreshments and the Certificate presentation.
Branch champions
All Lambeth library staff have been trained in working with people new to the UK and Libraries have set up new ‘branch champion’ roles in each of the borough’s 10 libraries. Branch champions visited refugee hostels to promote the extensive services libraries offer. They also updated and shared information on frequently asked questions and where to find the answers.
The branch champions discovered how important beating loneliness and wanting to be part of Lambeth’s everyday life are for sanctuary seekers. Libraries encourage them to rejoin people from other cultures in knitting groups, gardening clubs and meeting other parents at story times. They’ve also helped sanctuary seekers realise that a library isn’t just somewhere to borrow a book. The “book a librarian” service helps people facing barriers to getting online or who don’t have English as a first language with help to apply for e-visas, school places, housing and more.
Community as a superpower
Last year, when Lambeth earned Library of Sanctuary status, only one other London borough had successfully completed the process. Now, Lambeth is part of a 10-strong London-wide network of boroughs and London libraries supporting each other.
More information
- Find out more about Lambeth Libraries’ services for sanctuary seekers
- Find addresses, opening hours and more for Lambeth’s Libraries
- See examples of the work Libraries of Sanctuary are doing across the UK.
- City of Sanctuary is a charity founded in Sheffield in 2005 whose mission is building a movement of welcome for sanctuary seekers including refugees and asylum-seekers.
