In the years 2009 – 2010 the Municipal Library of Prague participated in the international project Libraries for all – European strategy for multicultural education in which the Multicultural Centre Prague participates.

Aims of project:

  • adaptation of library services to the needs of immigrants visiting the local library
  • expansion of the offer of library services to include others which help immigrants integrate easier into the majority society
  • to open libraries to groups of foreigners who do not currently use the library and its educational possibilities, and in selected public libraries to implement specific local activities

Project partners: Germany, Austria, Sweden, the Czech Republic

Activities of Municipal Library of Prague as part of project:

Czech courses for foreigners

In cooperation with the Centre for the Integration of Foreigners, the project helped the library to initiate Czech courses for foreigners. These are so-called low-threshold courses. This means that they are open for everyone who comes regardless of their language level. No registration is necessary.

As of 1.1.2009 applicants for permanent residence must also submit a certificate concerning the sitting of a Czech language examination at the A1 level, and as a result many people visit the courses. You can find the current timetable of Czech language courses here.

PC courses for foreigners

As part of the project in the Opatov library, every week there were lessons in PC courses for foreigners where the basics of work with a computer were taught, such as use of MS Office, internet and email. The migrants thus improve their qualifications and their prospects on the job market. At present the library is seeking financial resources so that this course can continue. We will inform you of the start.

Information points

In the Central Library and the Opatov library, information points are located for foreigners with information materials of organisations looking after migrants, and there is also a computer with e-learning of Czech. Magazines in various foreign languages are also available.

Exhibition

My Home – exhibition of works of foreigners in the library

2. 9. 2010 – 27. 9. 2010

The library has opened up to all foreigners engaged in artistic creation but who do not have the opportunity to exhibit their works. The library thus provided them with this opportunity, and in September it was filled with graphic works, photographs, hand-made products and paintings with a common theme: My Home. In the children’s department of the library there was also an exhibition of children’s work. The children’s exhibition presented selected works which came together in the art competition My Home.

My Home – Art Competition for the Children of Foreigners

21.6. – 15.8.2010

Where are we really at home? Where we were born, where our children were born, or where our parents come from? Is home a country, or just the village which can be seen from end to end from the village green? What is the best, ideal home? In the summer of 2010 the Municipal Library of Prague and the Multicultural Centre Prague organised an art competition for the children of foreigners on the theme of My Home.

Important information materials

Important information materials of the library were translated into Russian, Ukrainian, Mongolian, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Project partners