Library cooperation

In South Africa, this topic is especially relevant considering that migration – particularly from other African countries – plays a significant role. Library services which stimulate the engagement with one’s own cultural identity, promote integration and contribute to a mutual understanding amongst different cultural groups, are vital - particularly if one takes the background of xenophobic attacks into account.

In partnership with the City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services’ head office, the Goethe-Institut held a workshop centring on this topic on 27 and 28 May 2011, in which librarians from urban districts with a large proportion of migrants, other public servants who work with migrants (for example, the Migrant Helpdesk), as well as representatives from migrant organisations participated. The results of the workshop, including some presentations as well as a selection of photos can be downloaded here:

• Workshop Programme (PDF, 248KB)
• Workshop Results (PDF, 325KB)
• Photos (PDF, 1920KB) 
• Presentations:
  o Irene Kibandi: Library services for multicultural groups in Kenyan libraries (PDF, 992KB)
  o Birgit Lotz: Libraries serving diverse communities: Multicultural library services of the Public Library of Frankfurt (PDF, 1198KB)
  o Tsakane Shiburi: Library services for migrants in Johannesburg (PDF, 1407KB) 
  
• Further documents:
  o African Diaspora Forum: A Multicultural Library in the Heart of the City (PDF, 109KB) 
  o Birgit Lotz: Tips for implementing intercultural library services (PDF, 94KB)