Rotterdam Public Library supporting people to integrate and participate

1. Rotterdam Public Librarysupporting people to integrate and participate May 2010 Gerard Reussink

2. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Rotterdam Public Library inspires and stimulates the search for knowledge and information and enjoying reading and language

3. Rotterdam public library: the key word is “language”! • Language is the key word for people to be able to participate in society • The public library is a place where language is omnipresent • The public library is the only institution next to schools were people can rely on

4. Rotterdam public library invests in • E-centers/ centers of study and education in many of our district libraries • City study center • Educational programs for pre-school, schools, adults • Special programs for low literacy • Special language training points and support • Special programs for youth

5. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Rotterdam Library • Stimulation of language skills • Reading enjoyment • Media awareness • Low-threshold • Free admission • Easy access

6. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people

7. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Rotterdam: a multi-cultural city 600.000 inhabitants in 2009: • More than 170 nationalities • 53% natives and 47% immigrants • 60% of the juvenile population is non-native 22 % of Rotterdam is low-literate

8. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Civic integration program • Learn Dutch • Learn about Dutch society • Actively participate in the Netherlands

9. Focus of presentation: introduction of the participation ladder in social inclusion by the library Participation Ladder • Paid Labour • Paid Labour with support • Non paid labour • Participation in organized activities • Social involvement in R’dam society • Isolation

10. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Phase 3 Phase 2 Phase 1 isolation

11. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Phase 3 Phase 2 Social involvement in sociëty Phase 1

12. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Phase 3 Participation in organised activities Phase 2 Phase 1

13. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Civic integration program in Rotterdam • 65.000 people • Free courses • Participation • Close cooperation with Rotterdam Library

14. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) Reading and Writing Integration Work and Job Application

15. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) Reading and Writing Integration Work and Job Application

16. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) reading and writing • Low-threshold introduction program

17. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) reading and writing • Low-threshold introduction program • Special collection ‘Read and Write’

18. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) reading and writing • Low-threshold introduction program • Special collection ‘Read and Write’ • Branches all over the city

19. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) Reading and Writing Integration Intergration Work and Job Application

20. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Integration • Collection consists of different materials

21. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Integration • Collection consists of different materials • Educational activities

22. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Integration • Collection consists of different materials • Educational activities • Coorperation with schools

23. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy (Better) Reading and Writing Integration Work and Job Application To apply and to work

24. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Work and Job Application • Language traineeships and work placements

25. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Work and Job Application • Language traineeships and work placements • Employment coach

26. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Work and Job Application • Language traineeships and work placements • Employment coach • Collection of materials

27. Rotterdam Public Library: The broad approach towards low literacy Work and Job Application • Language traineeships and work placements • Employment coach • Collection of materials • e-centres

28. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people The circle is completed • Educational program • Cooperation • Expert staff

29. 4you! Special multimedia collection low threshold location in the neighborhood Applied activities in cooperation with schools

30. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people Invest in youth: especially those who are not attracted to reading. Method: Try to reach them in their own surroundings and way of life: "Taalkr8 Leeskr8" fragment on Vimeo Make them proud when they are busy with language

31. Rotterdam Public Library: supporting people low literacy Summary • Common policy: Participation Ladder • Close cooperation • All programs are structurally embedded • ‘Read and Write’ logo • Training of staff • Rotterdam Library is a fixed component of municipal civic integration courses Besides: focus on youth!

32. Results?: Yes! • In 2010 50 groups = 500 participants and in the years thereafter 1000 people/year • 1000 parents a year training in reading to toddlers • 200.000 users a year of the e-centers /centers of media literacy • 50 workshops for pupils in technical and vocational training/year • Trainees in the library of colleges of medium and higher professional education