Slough Libraries have been given the Library of Sanctuary accreditation for being a safe, warm and inclusive service for all.

To earn the Library of Sanctuary status, Slough Libraries had to meet three key criteria – learn more about the needs and experiences of people seeking sanctuary, embed concepts of welcome, celebration and inclusion into library policies and procedures and share the positive contribution refugees make to our society and the benefits of a welcoming culture to everyone.

The library service team, working in partnership with the council’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Lead, Slough Refugee Support and Museums Partnership Reading, applied for the award in March and gave a presentation to the judging panel on 13 May.

They outlined all the work that happens in our libraires to encourage feelings of community and belonging for people seeking sanctuary, or new arrivals into the community.

Some of that work, which ultimately benefits every library user, has included:

• exhibitions of work from sanctuary seekers displayed in The Curve gallery
• Slough Refugee Support having staff on site several times a week, both to support people who need it, and to introduce them to the library and its many services
• improved signage at The Curve to help all residents navigate the building more easily
• tours and demonstrations of library services to ESOL students from Langley College
• free Bookstart packs and dual language books provided for families with pre-school children
• activities programmed with Museums Partnership Reading, including Roots and Routes, exploring Slough’s heritage through creative activity, with opportunities to share local and global stories
• information provided to new arrivals on all the services available at our libraries, and included in the Refugee Advice Pack
• new library webpage created, summarising the library offer in one place
• a booklist and themed display featuring titles which broaden understanding and advocate for new arrivals, that promote messages of cohesion and inclusion
• created a Library of Sanctuary volunteer role, with volunteers able to contribute to the library programme
• started a Conversation club
• offering drop-in health checks
• running parent’s workshops in schools
• offering books for children and adults to borrow in Arabic, Gujarati, Hindi, Panjabi, Polish and Urdu.

Libraries of Sanctuary is a stream of the national City of Sanctuary movement which has the goal of creating a network of inclusive and welcoming places that are proud to offer safety, support, and dignity to people seeking sanctuary.

Councillor Gurcharan Manku, lead member for customer experience and access, said: “I’m delighted our libraries have been recognised as places of sanctuary and safety for all members of our community. It’s a fantastic achievement and a testament to the welcoming nature of our library staff and the support they provide.

“It also builds on Slough’s tradition of being welcoming, strengthening community connections, and embracing diversity.

“Libraries are for everyone; they offer a step into other worlds through stories, we can explore other cultures through literature or online resources and can build community links, collaborate and share skills and experiences.”

People with lived experience have been using Slough’s libraries for volunteering, accessing digital support, learning about Slough’s history, contributing to exhibitions and the library programme, sharing skills, completing independent learning, attending ESOL classes, and much more.

This week is Refugee Week, where the theme is courage. It can often take courage to venture into new places and situations where you don’t know anyone or know what to expect.

There is an Everyone Welcome event at The Curve on Wednesday 17 June.

Visitors can meet local groups and organisations, join the library for free, find out about local volunteering opportunities, get help in job searching, learn to use computers, get free basic health checks, understand and speak English more confidently, find out about local events, and more.

It’s free and all are welcome, just drop-in from 10am to 2pm.