Simon Parker  

Biography - Simon Parker has worked for Leicester Libraries since 1988. He has worked for the service as a Library Assistant, Senior Library Assistant and was appointed to the post of Senior Community Librarian: Developing Communities in January 2005, with a brief to improve library services to refugees, asylum seekers, guest workers and EU nationals. Previous to this, in 2001, he set up and ran a library with asylum seekers at the International Hotel in Leicester, as part of the As-Is project in partnership with Public Arts Leicester.

Abstract - Welcome to Your Library - connecting public libraries with refugee communities

A brief overview of Welcome to Your Library and the work of Leicester Libraries refugee work experience scheme. The session will look at the reasons for such a scheme and the impacts on the library service, individuals and communities. The presentation will offer some practical observations on the key lessons and challenges in giving work placement opportunities to members of refugee communities.