The Welcoming Library is a pop-up conversation on immigration.
That conversation is driven by a collection of acclaimed picture books featuring New Arrival and New American families. Readers of all ages “meet” these families on the page and explore the commonalities shared by all families. This exploration is done with I’m Your Neighbor Books-created discussion questions as well as companion programming and education materials.
The collection — with its pop-up display unit — packs into two crates and travels between schools, libraries, and community centers in a given region, building an environment of welcoming and belonging.
The Welcoming Library is an American Association of School Librarians Commendation Recipient.
impact
100% of the Welcoming Library readers surveyed indicated a positive response to immigration.
67% said, “Reading this book reinforced my feeling that immigrants should be welcomed.”
42% said, “I feel inspired by this book and project to find a way to be actively welcoming.”
books
Each Welcoming Library contains 30 acclaimed picture books featuring New Arrival and New American families.
With each implementation, the curated collection adapts and grows to reflect national and local immigrant communities.
Conversation Starters
Every book has a series of unique discussion questions affixed to the inside back cover. Those questions walk readers (of all ages) through a conversation about commonalities, immigration, welcoming, and belonging. Regardless of the readers’ comfort or experience with discussing race, religion, or other cultural differences, the questions support and guide the reader.
Additionally, an online toolkit provides programming guides and educational guides to lead larger conversations.
Book Processing
Each book is processed for durability and to highlight the mission. Each has a cover sticker with “I’m Your Neighbor” in 10 languages, a spine label, and a bookplate with the Welcoming Library’s mission statement.
