How can libraries better serve refugees and asylum seekers?

The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs has partnered with ALA on the IMLS-funded “Project Welcome: Libraries and Community Anchors Planning for Resettlement and Integration of Refugees and Asylum Seekers.”

Project Welcome aims to learn about and articulate ways libraries can address the information needs of refugees and asylum seekers in order to support and empower them in their resettlement and integration process. They are assessing the information needs and gaps in library services by learning from US and international librarians, international and national governmental agencies, and domestic resettlement and social services to develop recommendations and an action agenda on information resources, services, training, and research needed to support the resettlement and integration of refugees and asylum seekers. 

Listening sessions, to learn from the library and information community, take place on November 28 and December 2. Twitter chat sessions are on November 29 and December 5. The input will be incorporated into a thought paper that will be used to provide background for a collaborative learning space/meeting to explore library and information solutions, including a public summit on February 6, 2017.