ANTI RACIST COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Scotland’s Only Anti-Racist Community Library

ABOUT OUR LIBRARY

In our anti-racism work, we take an expanded view of what a library is. It is, of course, a collection of books but any library is also so much more. Libraries are places to gather, to meet people, to share stories, troubles and conversation. They are places to come for information or to be signposted to services. They are social spaces where nobody needs to spend any money and so are egalitarian by their very nature.

The Anti-Racist Library is no different. Our books are carefully curated to carry forward anti-racist education in a community setting and act as a vehicle for conversation. At our library we have a language exchange table. This is a table with a world map and a number of conversation starter cards. A dedicated Language Exchange volunteer stays with the table and engages people in conversation. The world map has been invaluable in drawing people in to talk about their histories. We also have flash cards in a number of languages and have made signs in a number of languages and scripts inviting people to stop and talk.

We have many adults visit the library who do not speak English. They benefit from taking out the children's books or young adult books to aid them on their language journey.

The library not only serves our local community but given its uniqueness, people from all over the city seek it out; often citing the need to talk to someone who understands them as a reason for doing so.

The library first opened in May 2021. Since then we have added in regular arts and cultural events, support group meetings and other opportunities to meet socially.

HOW YOU CAN BORROW BOOKS
The books in our library are available to borrow for free,
fortnightly on Sundays between 11am-1pm

AUTUMN/WINTER from our Community Meeting Room
SPRING/SUMMER from our stall in Millenium Park on Ashley Street.

Check all the dates of our library
and our other anti-racism events
on our What’s On Page

MORE INFO

Keep an eye on our What’s On Page for all the dates where the library
and other anti-racism events are happening.

Contact us to get involved
Eo Stearn Eo@woodlandscommunity.org.uk 07935 007401
or Sapna Agarwal sapna@woodlandscommunity.org.uk 07733 667102

Winter Wellbeing Programme

Check our What’s On Page for details
of our Wellbeing Programme for People of Colour

Woodlands Community are committed to Anti-Racist work and we recognise the need to provide safe spaces for People of Colour only activities. We believe in offering events where folk can attend as their full unedited selves, and not feel in the minority. We are delighted to be able to offer these events, run by People of Colour for People of Colour. The format and content of these events was informed by direct consultation with local People of Colour.
 
This programme of events is one of a number of targeted support activities we are currently running for different groups in the community, delivered in line with our grant funding requirements. Other targeted groups include, for example, people experiencing mental health challenges, families with young children and people impacted by the cost of living crisis.

White allies are welcome to join other strands of our Anti-Racist programming such as our Anti-Racist Library and our monthly Anti-Racist Film Club as well as our other community activities that are open to the whole community. You'll find details of these on our What's On Page.

"Being a mixed race person of colour in a predominantly white school makes me feel different. I have started volunteering at the anti racism library and I absolutely love it. it has allowed me to meet like minded individuals. It has made me feel more connected, and proud to be mixed race and Scottish in a community of people who can work towards change." Olive, aged 16.

WHAT TYPE OF BOOKS DOES THE LIBRARY STOCK?
The library has books for people of all ages – children, young people, adults. There are fiction and non-fiction books, serious and light-hearted but all centre the lived experience of people of colour. The library makes a clear connection between Migrant Justice and Climate Justice and we have a selection of books that explore this connection.

Once you have read the book, you just return it to the special book return box in our Community Garden on West Princes Street.

DURING 2022/23:
We extended the library to include :
- Regular storytelling, for children and adults
- Children's fun activities such as games and craft
- Banner making for protests and events
- Language exchange and social meet ups.

THE FIRST OF ITS KIND
Our Anti-racist Community Library is the first of its kind in Scotland. The need for it was identified by local People of Colour (POC) who came together after the shocking murder of George Floyd in 2020 to discuss the need for a grassroots community response to issues around racial justice.

OPEN TO ALL
Most POC groups tend to be organised on a specific ethnicity, faith or culture or be refugee and asylum specific. Our anti-racist library is open to all. We are tending to attract second/third generation immigrants, mixed race people and people who are new to Glasgow (both through forced and chosen migration). Often it's people who don't fit neatly into any category and have no obvious group to turn to affirm their sense of belonging.

MORE THAN JUST BOOKS
Conversations at the library, and its associated support group meetings, move very quickly from initial introductions and pleasantries to quite personal stories about microaggressions, oppression and deeply felt hurt. Numerous people have expressed relief at being able to talk openly about things that it's not safe to talk about in a predominantly white context. People from all over the city seek it out and often cite needing to talk to someone who understands as a reason for doing so.

DOWNLOADS

Download our Books Catalogue

HUGE THANKS GOES TO….
The library has been lovingly curated by local resident Sapna Agarwal, in collaboration with Aye Aye Books. We are grateful for all the work Sapna has put into the project and for the generous suggestions and donations from other people in our network.