Library drive sees surge in refugee membership

An initiative to bring the benefits of library membership to marginalised communities has resulted in hundreds of new memberships.

And the Dublin City Libraries team behind the ‘Library in the Community’ drive says it has shattered a myth that many of the refugees arriving in Ireland seeking international protection, are uneducated.

A four-person team is leading the charge to bring libraries to nursing homes, hospitals, refugee centres, homeless accommodation and those unable to access a traditional library.

Last year, the team facilitated 144 events in 86 locations throughout the city, engaging with more than 14,000 people.

So far this year, more than 7,500 have attended over 100 information sessions, membership drives and storytelling events.

It is estimated that one-in-seven of those who attend the information sessions had never previously set foot inside a library, are now members.

The programme is being showcased as part of #YourCouncilDay today (July 5), which is highlighting the role of county and city councils in supporting people in their daily lives.

“The response has been phenomenal,” said Enda Leaney, Divisional Librarian for Community, Children’s Services and Social Inclusion.

“We had an event at a refugee centre in North Dublin recently and signed up 100 people for library cards.

“We show them how to access resources and sometimes we arrange tours of libraries, you might be meeting people from Ukraine, Georgia, Pakistan, India and Africa.

“For them, it can be a way to learn English as they can access language learning materials.

“One of the things we found when dealing with refugees is that a lot of them are very highly educated; two of those in attendance had PhDs, one had an MBA.”

There are 21 libraries in the Dublin City Libraries network, managed by Dublin City Council.

It was only in the aftermath of Covid and the runaway success of a home delivery service for books that community-driven library involvement was accelerated.

“It is a service beyond the walls of a traditional library building,” said Mr Leaney.

“So you’re dealing with marginalised communities and people who don’t know about libraries.

“Our engagement is with people who don’t use libraries and who may think they are only about books and fines, neither of which is true.”

The Dublin City Libraries outreach team of Louise Tobin, Shane Murphy, Amanda Smith and Chris Nugent also try to ensure that being a hospital patient or a nursing home resident should not restrict access to a library.

And the drive goes beyond in-person events: vending-machine style library lockers, where books can be returned and taken out, have been placed in Drimnagh, with plans for another installation in Darndale.

“We are meeting people where they are at,” said Mr Leaney.

“The ultimate goal is that we want people to use public libraries. It is very gratifying and we know we are making a difference, because we’re dealing with people every day.”

Providing over 1,000 services to the public, the work of local government is highlighted and celebrated through Your Council Day today.