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APOLOGIES FOR CROSS POSTING Press Release. 17 May 2004 Boost to Broaden Access to Public Libraries as Website Launches Information in 11 Languages Public libraries received a welcome boost to broaden access to their services today as the Lasa Multikulti website (www.multikulti.org.uk) launched information on its education pages introducing what public libraries offer in 11 languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Gujerati, Somali, Spanish and Turkish. The translated information is specifically designed to encourage new library service users who may never have been in a public library before and may be unsure what to expect. It is the result of a pioneering collaboration between London Advice Services Alliance (Lasa), which manages the Multikulti project and the London Libraries Development Agency (LLDA). The LLDA is co-ordinating Welcome To Your Library, a pilot project funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, aiming to identify and overcome the barriers to using public libraries for and with asylum seekers and refugees. The project is initially running in five London boroughs: Brent, Camden, Enfield, Merton and Newham. The Multikulti website provides culturally appropriate and accurately translated information on debt, employment, health, housing, immigration and welfare benefits. It is the first time information has been included on the website about public libraries. Helen Carpenter, Project Co-ordinator of Welcome To Your Library said: "We wanted to spread the word that public libraries are free, open to all and offer not only books, but also music and film, useful information and access to computers. Through the Welcome To Your Library project we have started to open up relationships with community organisations and other agencies to find the best ways of working with asylum seekers and refugees. They are often excluded from services such as public libraries, which can really improve their quality of life. We have been delighted to draw on the expertise of the Multikulti team as part of our work." Public Libraries on the web - http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ac940/weblibs.html For further information contact: Lasa Multikulti Project London Advice Services Alliance Tel: 020 7247 7226. Email: [log in to unmask] Fiona O’Brien London Libraries Development Agency Tel: 0207 641 5266. Email: [log in to unmask]