Outreach to the Romanian Community in Ipswich
Overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers to library access for the growing Romanian community and strengthening community bonds.
The Local Challenge
The English county town of Ipswich faces the challenge of integrating its growing Romanian community, which faces significant linguistic, economic and cultural barriers. With over 3,300 Romanian speakers, the community has limited access to library services, education opportunities and experiences social exclusion. The lack of Romanian-language materials and tailored outreach initiatives in the town’s library compounds this issue. Addressing these barriers is crucial, especially against a backdrop of social and political division, economic precarity and anti-immigrant rhetoric in the UK.
The Initiative
In partnership with a local Romanian cultural organisation, Ipswich County Library is enhancing engagement with the Romanian community through a dynamic outreach programme. Open days with dual-language tours inform the community about library services. The library’s Romanian-language collection is being expanded to address the current deficit. A Romanian film festival with English subtitles will promote cultural appreciation. This collaborative effort is designed to celebrate Romanian culture and integrate Romanians into the local community, enhancing social inclusion, digital literacy and English language skills, helping newcomers integrate and improving overall well-being.
What’s Next?
The initiative is designed to improve people’s lives by reducing social exclusion and inequality, building a more inclusive community. Focusing on Romanian challenges will also benefit other library users – helping to celebrate diversity and promote social cohesion. Ipswich County Library is already serving a varied user base, but as a vital community hub for all residents, it is keen to make efforts to reach underserved newcomers. This initiative will ensure Romanians feel safe, supported and integrated, setting a model for similar efforts in the UK and beyond.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
