What is an "intercultural library"?

• An intercultural library offers a range of books and other media, as broad as possible, on the originating countries and cultural spaces as well as in the languages of foreigners and foreign language-speaking people living in Switzerland. With a complementary language offer, access and integration to the hosting country and cultural exchange are fostered.

• The intercultural library, by offering this, enables an easier bond with the first language and helps in strengthening cultural identity. It offers activities in reading and telling in all languages and for all ages. This support and fostering is especially important with first languages of children, which eases the learning of a second language. Children and adolescents are thus a main target group.

• In the intercultural library, the culture, society and language of the foreign population are up-valued. With this, the feeling of being at home in a foreign country is created which sets a basis for a better integration.

• The intercultural library acknowledges the variety of cultures and language communities as a chance. With its offer, it seeks to mediate knowledge and help tearing down prejudice.

• The intercultural library sends a signal against intolerance, discrimination and lack of understanding.

• The intercultural library builds bridges between migrants and the Swiss.

• The intercultural library is a meeting point for people who have recently started to live in the new language area.

• The intercultural library provides first contacts with the library as an institution and eases the access to communal libraries.

• The intercultural library offers a challenging working environment for volunteers with diverse backgrounds. They are integrated into the work on projects which draw on the diversity of their knowledge.