Essex Library Service has received Library of Sanctuary status.
What does this mean?
The Libraries of Sanctuary is a national award that celebrates libraries that demonstrate hospitality, solidarity, and welcome to new arrivals in the area. The status was assessed and awarded by City of Sanctuary UK.
Public libraries can play an important role in welcoming people into our communities. This includes refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, people seeking sanctuary, and other new arrivals.
Essex Library Service is committed to supporting people new to the UK. We offer a support package to accompany our standard library offer, and we are working to remove any barriers to people using our service. We offer extra training to our staff to support people seeking sanctuary, and provide various additional resources such as those listed below.
How do we support people who are new to the UK?
Supporting you to join the library
Join the library for free
We have various membership types available, one of which is our new Sanctuary membership card.
This library card does not need any documents. We will ask for your name, contact details and date of birth. The process only takes about 5 minutes. The card gives access to stock across all Essex libraries, free computer use, and our online services, and it has no fees or charges. The card is valid for one year.
Similar to our Memory and Lite membership, this library card can be extended or transferred to the standard ticket type, which gives full access to all stock on the catalogue.
Induction sessions
Sessions to help people who would benefit from extra support. We’ll sign you up to the library, give you a tour, show you how to use our online services, help you find special books, and tell you about local events.
You don’t have to book, just turn up at one of our flagship libraries on the day and time below and ask for an induction! If these times and locations are not convenient for you, you can go to any library at any time and request an induction.
Basildon Library – Tuesdays, 9am to 10am
Chelmsford Library – Saturdays, 2pm to 3pm
Colchester Library – Fridays, 2pm to 3pm
Harlow Library – Tuesdays, 10am to 11am
Resources in 21 languages
We provide Welcome Leaflets, Joining Forms, and Membership Information available in a range of different languages which are useful to people seeking sanctuary. Just ask a member of library staff.
Our current languages:
- English
- Albanian
- Arabic
- Chinese Simplified
- Chinese Traditional
- Dari
- Dutch
- Farsi
- French
- Georgian
- German
- Hindi
- Italian
- Kurdish
- Pashto
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Spanish
- Tigrinya
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
Free internet access
You can use the computers and wifi in all of our libraries free of charge with your library card. Find more information here.
You can also print and photocopy items for a small cost. See prices here. Some of our libraries also have scanners which you can use for free. Please check individual locations here.
Books and stock in a range of languages
Click here to browse the following Library of Sanctuary booklists.
Books to help you learn English
We have lots of books which have been recommended by people new to the UK, including books for learning English, and dictionaries in other languages.
Books in different languages
We have books in many different languages, and have expanded certain collections specifically for people seeking sanctuary and new arrivals in Essex. We have extra stock of these popular languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, and Pashto/Pashtun.
We also have books with no words, which can be read by anyone, of any nationality or age.
Refugee Week books
We have a selection of books which are written by authors with refugee experience or have content about refugee experiences.
Newspapers and magazines from different countries
Library members can get free access to over 7000 newspapers and magazine titles from 140 different countries on PressReader. You can translate the titles into several languages and use a text to speech option.
Things to do
We run lots of different events for all ages in our libraries, and many are completely free!
Check our events page to find something in a library near you.
Baby and Toddler Rhymetimes in every library
You can join these free sessions in all of our libraries. Enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories with children, and meet new people too. Check your local library for dates and times.
Other events you may enjoy
- Community teas and coffee mornings. A great opportunity to meet and chat with new people.
- Craft groups, knitting, and games clubs. Clubs for various ages to let you practise a hobby, or play some fun games.
- Computer and IT support. Get help with your digital skills.
- Block Builders Construction Club. Children can play with LEGO and meet new friends.
- English conversation classes. To help you practise English in a casual environment.
Browse by library or use the search bar to find something specific
- Refugee and Asylum Seeker Reading Round. Fun sessions for informal basic English language learning through the sharing of fables, fairy tales and folk stories.
Helpful services, websites, and apps
UK Visa checking service is available at Chelmsford Library by appointment only. Further information about the service can be found here.
Learn English with ACL. These courses are specifically for adults who are learning English as a second language. There are lots of classes around Essex, some in library buildings. Find more details about the classes here.
Learn My Way
Get free access to the digital skills courses on Learn My Way with your Essex library card. There are modules on how to manage your money and health online, finding a job, and using public services.
Use your Essex library card to create a Learn My Way account or sign in to your account here.
Transparent Language Online
Learn English or a range of other languages with interactive lessons for free. There are special kids courses too!
Go Citizen
Get free access to Go Citizen, an online study resource for candidates preparing for the British Citizenship Test or Life in the UK test. Go Citizen contains official study materials licensed from the Home Office, hundreds of practice test questions in the same format as the official test, and interactive learning resources and teaching aids.
Use your Essex library card to create a GoCitizen account, or sign in to your account here.
Kanopy streaming
Stream films and TV shows for free, in a range of languages, including language learning shows! There is also a special kids’ section with unlimited watching. Find out how to set up your account with your Essex library card here.
Ukraine Unlimited Learning app by Odilo
Access free eBooks and resources in Ukrainian for education and entertainment. Learn new languages, cultures, history of the country of residence and many other subjects through virtual classes, book clubs and endless learning experiences. Find out more on the website or download the app.
Other places you can get support
RAMA (Refugee, Asylum seeker & Migrant Action) is a charity which offers support to individuals and families new to the UK.
They help people in Colchester and the surrounding areas with all aspects of the integration process, including advice on the asylum process, helping with ‘everything from school applications, doctors’ visits, signposting, transport, job applications, English lessons, sourcing furniture to finding toys.’ Find out more about RAMA here.
Care 4 Calais is a charity which works with refugees in the UK, France, and Belgium.
In the UK, they offer help by providing basic supplies, assisting with complex health or immigration issues, and offering legal support with the asylum process. Find out more about Care 4 Calais here.
Essex Integration offer free advice, support, and practical help to refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers throughout Essex.
They run a drop-in advice and advocacy service at their Colchester office for anyone to receive free advice and support on a broad range of subjects, from housing, entitlement to benefits, and employment to how to make friends and learn English. Find out more about Essex Integration here.