The Role of the Library in a Multilingual Society

Abstract

In the spring of 2024, Kópavogur Public Library was awarded a grant from the Icelandic Library Fund to support a multicultural event series, as well as funding from Nordplus for a development and collaboration project. This international initiative involves Kópavogur Public Library, Hässleholm City Library in Sweden, and the Central Library of Lääne County in Estonia, with the shared aim of enhancing services for immigrants.

The project is designed to better meet the needs of the diverse community that visits the library and to foster increased engagement of immigrants in the library’s social and cultural life.

The library has received highly positive feedback for the wide range of events made possible by these grants. It has been especially rewarding to witness how the initiative has inspired greater interest in Icelandic culture and language, as well as in creative, inclusive gatherings that bring together people from varied backgrounds. Notably, the project has already yielded measurable results, with a marked increase in immigrant participation in the library’s events.