With libraries serving increasingly global communities, figuring out how to address linguistic diversity can be challenging. Often, specific languages are foregrounded due to certain festivities, availability of guests, or languages spoken by staff. 

In this webinar, we will discuss shared reading and storytelling techniques that work in any setting, drawing on the languages spoken in the audience, rather than requiring language skills from staff. By creating opportunity for interaction, shared reading and storytelling activities become co-created, multilingual events that are inclusive and adaptive to any multilingual setting. Attendees will take away both an understanding of how multilingual children navigate their various languages, and with concrete ideas and skills to embed into their practice.

Sabine Little is Professor of Literacy and Multilingualism at the University of Sheffield, and a multilingual storyteller. She has provided training for professional storytellers, teachers, and librarians, and collaborated with World Book Day on creating resources on multilingual storytelling. Her Quilt of Welcome (www.quiltofwelcome.org), which includes multilingual stories, is currently touring London libraries as part of the Lord Mayor's Loved and Wanted Here initiative.

Fiona Tarn, is Head of Camden Libraries and chair of London Libraries. Fiona will talk about the Loved and Wanted Here project and introduce Professor Sabine Little. 

Member Only Event

Most public libraries in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies are members so if you work or volunteer in one of these libraries register on our platform before booking to attend.

This project has been supported by The Mayor of London and the Loved and Wanted Community Fund which helps to bring different communities together and boost Londoners’ sense of belonging. It offers people opportunities to take part, both locally, and across London. The aim is to build a fairer, more welcoming city for everyone.