The aim of the project Libraries for All - ESME is to initiate an EU-wide upgrade of local public libraries into “Libraries for All” with a European perspective. EU-wide, local public libraries are usually run by municipalities. They have a similar setup, comparable structures and the common goal of serving the local community as easily accessible places of learning and communications.

By upgrading local public libraries into "Libraries for All", the symbolic cultural capital of the local migrant population will become an integral part of local public libraries. By serving the community as a whole, the libraries will be enhanced into local contact points for implementing common European integration strategies. The pilot projects will include libraries in four different European regions (Austria, Sweden, Germany and Czech Republic). A central focus will be the introduction of Advisory Boards for Multiculturalism (ABMs). The ABMs will consist of the librarians and specifically qualified members of the local immigrant communities.

Best Practices Welcome To Your Library [Welcome To Your Library, United Kingdom] The project Welcome To Your Library searches to engage refugees and asylumseekers in service delivery at a local level. Libraries are one of the very few services that anyone can access freely, irrespective of status or money and can act as gateways to civic presence, with the library card as an easily accessible symbol of citizenship.  ...more»   Affinity Centres – A Tool for Reaching Diverse Communities: The San Francisco Model [San Francisco Public Library, USA] The Main Library is the resource center for the entire San Francisco Public Library system and the libraries of Northern California. Its large collection and extensive programs and exhibits support the Library's mission of "access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joy of reading." ...more»   ...see more Best Practices

Relevant Sources Welcome To Your Library Evaluation Report, November 2007 Organization: London Libraries Development Agency Resource type: Report Evaluation report, with accompanying good practice guide of Welcome To Your Library project searches how to connect public libraries with refugees and asylum seekers. ...more»   Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity in the Library: Principles and Issues for Administrators Author: Mark Winston (ed.) Publisher: Routledge; 1st ed. (July 2, 1999) Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity In the Library is an academic guide to diversity issues such as affirmative action, career development of minorities in the library science profession, racism, and scholarship solutions to increase the diversity of people in the library and information science profession.  ...more»   ...see more Relevant Sources