The intercultural libraries of Switzerland
20 members of the Association of Books Without Borders Switzerland (ABWBS)
In 1988, a group of initiative people in Renens (VD), mostly parents and scholars, found an association as a basis for the intercultural library Globlivres. The library opens in October of the same year. As a start, it receives a donated loan by Bibliomedia. Globlivres is the first intercultural library in the whole of Switzerland.
In 1991, JuKiBu in Basel is initiated by the Baobab Childrens' Book Fund, a project of the Declaration of Berne and terre des hommes Switzerland. JuKiBu becomes a C-Organisation of the Basel Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige (GGG) with regular funding and receives an additional first grant by the Christoph Merian Foundation in Basel.
In 1993, Globlivres and JuKiBu found the umbrella organisation Association of Book Without Borders Switzerland (ABWBS). This was incented by the Swiss Federal Department of Culture, which from this day on has funded the ABWBS.
In 1993, Kanzbi in Zurich and Biblios in Thun come into existence. The initiators are mainly teaching staff whose classes have a high proportion of pupils with migrational background.
In 1994, the local association (formerly called section) of the Red Cross initiates the foundation of Livres du Monde. The city of Geneva supports the library and Bibliomedia provides the first selection of books.
In 1995, Bibliomonde is founded in Neuchâtel. It's mainly persons from refugee care who initiate it. The city of Neuchâtel provides the premises.
In 1996, the intercultural library Zentrum 5 in Berne is affiliated to the umbrella organisation after having been founded in 1993. The library is part of the integration center for migrants.
In 1999, L'Ardoise is opened in Sion and joins the umbrella organisation in 2000. Starting in 2003, the library is operated by the Bureau Animation, Centre de formation Botza located in Vétroz. There are two places where books can be lent: children's books in 1, Rue de Loèche and literature for adults can be found in the Mediatheque Wallis in 18, Rue de Pratifori.
In 2002, LivrEchange in Fribourg becomes part of the umbrella organisation. Initially, premises are provided by Caritas.
In 2003, Le Polyglotte, the intercultural library in Bienne joins the Association. It is part of the center for intercultural encounter Multimondo which has existed since 1998.
In 2003, Integrationsbibliothek ib in Winterthur is opened as a section of the new city's library on Kirchplatz and becomes a member of the ABWBS. ib is a joint project of the Intercultural Forum Winterthur IFW and the libraries of Winterthur. It offers initially media for children and young adults and is run by the staff of the children's and adolescents' library.
In 2003, BISI, the intercultural library of the Italian part of Switzerland is founded, located in Bellinzona. It is dedicated to serve the inhabitants of Ticino and the Italian-speaking valleys of Grischun. BISI is accredited by UNAL (Unesco Network of Associated Libraries).
In 2005, the intercultural library vossa lingua is founded in Chur and joins the ABWBS. The premises are provided by the organisation for asylum of Grischun.
In 2005, the integration library LibraForum is initiated in St. Gall. Members of ten language groups and the manager of the open access library of St. Gall join forces in this project.
In 2006, A Tous Livres, Bibliothèque interculturelle in Monthey located in the Maison du Monde is founded and becomes a member of the umbrella association.
In 2009, Bibliothek der Kulturen in Frauenfeld and Helvecia, intercultural center Wädenswil are affiliated to the umbrella organisation.
In 2010 the IKiBi the intercultural children's library of the Stadtbibliothek Aarau and the intercultural library Hardau which is a branch of the Pestalozzi library in Zurich are accepted as members.
Most of the intercultural libraries are run by a local independent association following Art. 60ff of the Swiss Civil Law.