Helsinki City Library Services for Immigrants

Kristina Virtanen Helsinki City Library – International Unit Riga 11.2.2016

Finnish Libraries 2014 Inhabitants

5 422 874

Borrowers

37,45 %

Municipalities

320

Main libraries

291

Book mobiles

142

Loans, total

90 870 108

Loans/inhabitant

16,76

Library visits

50 379 320

Web visits

40 388 967

Collection

37 427 120

Total working years

4 595,14

Expenditures in the statistical year

316 430 507 €

Cost of a loan = Expenditures in the statistical year / Loans,

3, 48 €

Asylum applicants Inhabitants 2014

5 422 874

Asylum applicants

2015

32 476

Asylum applicants

2014

3651

Asulym applicants 2013

3238

The development of libary service provision for immigrants

In 1990’s:

• ”multiculturalism” • support of one’s own language and culture Now: • support to individual integration process (including Finnish language) and citizenship • development of the Libary Services with broad co-operation

Multilingual Library Services in Helsinki City Library • In 1995 Helsinki City Library was given the task by the Ministry of Education to act as a Multilingual Library in Finland. Helsinki City Library receives a special state subsidy for the purpose. • aim: to enhance library services for foreigners, to establish connections with domestic and international organisations, to provide information and guidance, as well as to purchase materials in rare languages for the library use for the ethnic minorities in Finland

• materials available nationwide, books in over 100 different language • special attention has been paid to children’s material in the collections < maintaining one’s own language and culture • how to obtain a library card? I.D. cards from EU countries; passports; Finnish driving licence; resident cards issued by any asylum-seeker reception centre in Finland

Multilingual Library Services in Helsinki City Library • Story hours in 18 languages: libraries in Helsinki region have a joint Language Bank of Storytellers, from which all libraries can borrow storytellers who speak different languages to visit their own library. The storytellers are library staff. The bank has currently 17 storytellers, who can give story hours in 12 different languages. • Annual Somali Book Fair: Somali Book Fair has been jointly organized by Helsinki metropolitan area libraries and Scansom Publishers (the leading publisher and distributor in Somali language materials). In 2015 the fair celebrated its 11th anniversary. At the fair Scansom Publishers present books in Somali language and Somali literature in the diaspora. Somali authors talk about their work. • Multicultural events: In addition to the Somali Book Fair, there are many events organised at the Helsinki City Library in which different languages and cultures are highlighted in the form of author visits and musical performances, for example.

Learning Finnish, settling in Helsinki/Finland • Language cafés: Helsinki City Library’s 15 language cafés are discussion groups where everyone can improve Finnish language skills. Language cafés are solely meant for immigrants. These are open to all immigrants free of charge. In addition to Finnish language, current topics are also discussed during the meetings. Language cafés are hosted by library staff or volunteers. • Library tours for asylum-seeker reception centre residents: introductory visits to libraries are organised regularly for clients of the reception centres. In addition to the multilingual loan materials, they are particularly interested in the opportunity to use computers for free and the over 2700 free-to-read online newspapers and magazines in dozens of languages (PressDisplay) • Homework help for schoolchildren: At some libraries, children can take part in Homework Help activities after the school day. Homework Help provides children with adult assistance for doing their homework. The service is open to all schoolchildren, but it is especially important for children with immigrant background. • Cooperation with advisory services: Advisory service Ne-Rå supports immigrants dealing with authorities and assists in filling in forms. Ne-Rå guidance and advice is currently available at Itäkeskus library.

Diverse library staff • Library staff: 542 employees, of whom 4,4 % are non Finnish- or Swedish speakers • Finnish courses for staff: For years now, the City of Helsinki has organised Finnish language courses for its staff with immigrant background. Currently courses are customized for library staff: courses focus on library and customers service vocabulary and phrases. Staff can attend the Finnish courses during the work hours. • Annual development day: Development days for library staff with immigrant backgrounds has been organised regularly. Ideas are applied in the development of library operations and services.

New Central library 2018

Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto

Central City Library service design workshops in winter and spring 2015: Services for immigrants and travellers City of Helsinki residents as well as travel and immigration experts were invited to participate in a series of workshops to design new City Centre Library services for immigrants and travellers (will open in 2018)

”Begin here” • • • •

Personal guide for the service provision Personal support person for integration process Become familiar with Finland internet service Infocentre for immigrants

”The way to Helsinki” • • • •

Infocentre for Travellers Become familiar with Finland internet s Local contacts meeting point ”Citizens of Helsinki presents”

The Helsinki City Library Integration and Multicultural Programme I Promoting integration and participation • Providing opportunities to study and practise Finnish and Swedish

• Providing guidance services at the library • Supporting the school education and learning of immigrant children • Increasing awareness of the library, guidance in using the library • Service development in cooperation with the staff, organisations and

II Supporting native languages and cultures • Material available in the most prominent immigrant languages • Supporting the native language and culture of children and young people • Presenting the diversity of cultures and languages at the libraries

The Helsinki City Library Integration and Multicultural Programme III Supporting staff diversity • Increase the number of employees who speak languages other than Finnish or Swedish • Supporting the career development of foreign language-employees • Increasing and maintaining the Finnish and Swedish proficiency of foreign language-speaking employees through courses organised by the City • Utilising the expertise of foreign language-speaking employees in the development of services aimed at immigrants • Increasing the cultural awareness of the staff

Further information

http://www.kirjastot.fi/fi/monikielinen-kirjasto#.Vgj-z6HyUdU http://www.helmet.fi/en-US/Libraries_and_services/Multilingual_Library http://www.infopankki.fi/

For more information: Riitta Hämäläinen: [email protected] Tiina Larva: [email protected] Thank you!