WIELOKULTUROWOŚĆ W DZIAŁANIACH BIBLIOTEKI STREATHAM TATE W LONDYNIE NA PRZYKŁADZIE INICJATYW REALIZOWANYCH Z POLSKĄ SPOŁECZNOŚCIĄ MULTICULTURALISM IN STREATHAM TATE LIBRARY IN LONDON: INITIATIVES ORGANISED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE POLISH COMMUNITY OGÓLNOPOLSKI KONGRES BIBLIOTEK WARSZAWA, 22-23 PAŹDZIERNIKA 2015 ROKU

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WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY Lambeth is one of 14 local authorities which make up Inner London. A diverse and vibrant area with a population of around 310,000. Over 20 nationalities (above 400 residents) and approx. 140 languages; 2 main religions – Christianity (53,1%) and Islam (7,1%). Lambeth Libraries is a statutory local government service delivered to the residents of the London Borough of Lambeth.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY Lambeth Libraries mission is to strengthen local communities and improve the lives of our citizens by providing and encouraging access to reading, information and lifelong learning by delivering leisure, health, employment and cultural activities for everyone who lives, studies and works in Lambeth.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY Lambeth Libaries – 10 libraries stretching across the borough. Serve a very diverse population with a third of residents coming from minority ethnic communities. The borough has large African and Portuguese populations and is an important focus for the black Caribbean community. Black people make up a quarter of the population (25%).

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WORKING WITH POLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS Following a report citing the lack of integration of the Polish community with local services, Lambeth Libaries began to try to address this lack of take-up by the Polish community. For the past year Lambeth Libraries has been working with Stockwell Partnership's Polish Community Development Workers to improve their offer to the community.

WORKING WITH POLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS Achievements to date: A large collection of Polish books at Streatham Library. A weekly Polish story and rhyme time on a Friday morning facilitated by the Polish Community Development Worker. Regular events for the Polish community held in the Mark Bennett Hall attached to Streatham Library. Regular life and work skills workshops hosted by the Library.

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WORKING WITH POLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS Lambeth Readers and Writers Festival 2015 As part of the annual literary festival we ran an afternoon of activities with authors and the Streatham Polish Saturday school. The children entered a book illustration competition. Book prizes were donated by library book distributors Bright Books.

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WORKING WITH POLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS CO-OPERATION: e.g. Polish community involved in planning, designing and running activities (via Polish Community Development Workers) INCLUSION: e.g. services open to all, bilingual books EMPOWERMENT: e.g. engaging volunteers and hosting life and work skills workshops VISIBILITY: e.g. signs and information in Polish, open community events

AUTHORS & CONTACTS Abibat Olulode Aga Kulesa & Marta Sordyl Development Librarian Literacy, Skills, Employment and Business Acting Early Years Literacy Development Co-ordinator Libraries and Archives Children, Adults and Health London Borough of Lambeth aolulode@lambeth.gov.uk Aga Kulesa & Marta Sordyl Polish Community Development Workers „Poles Connect” project Stockwell Partnership Ltd. aga@stockwell.org.uk or marta@stockwell.org.uk www.facebook.com/PolesConnect

15-10-19